Program Director - CIP Berkeley
The College Internship Program (CIP) is a national transition program supporting young adults ages 18โ26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. For over 40 years, CIP has provided comprehensive programs focused on independent living, college success, career development, executive functioning, and social growth.
CIPโs integrated approach combines individualized support, experiential learning, community-based instruction, supported apartment living, and specialized coaching to help our young adult students develop the skills necessary to live happy, productive, and self-directed adult lives.
The CIP Program is individualized, highly structured, and student-centered. CIP hires dedicated professionals who are passionate about neurodiversity, growth, and helping young adults navigate the transition to adulthood.
Why Join CIP?
Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Schedule
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
401(k) with Employer Match
Tuition & Continuing Education Reimbursement
Wellness Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Ongoing Professional Development & Leadership Training
Collaborative and Mission-Driven Culture
Opportunity to Make Meaningful Impact in Studentsโ Lives
Benefits may change based on business needs or regulatory requirements.
Position SummaryThe Program Director serves as the senior on-site leader responsible for the overall success, quality, and day-to-day operations of CIP Berkeley. This role leads a multidisciplinary team in delivering a highly structured, student-centered transition program for young adults with autism, ADHD, and learning differences.
The Program Director is responsible for ensuring strong student outcomes, a high-quality student and family experience, operational excellence, healthy team culture, and achievement of enrollment and retention goals. This position oversees implementation of programs, staffing, scheduling, student support systems, residential services and operations, risk management, administrative functions, and collaboration with admissions and outreach efforts.
This role requires a balance of strategic leadership, operational management, emotional intelligence, accountability, and strong people leadership. Successful Program Directors are highly organized, mission-driven leaders who can effectively manage complex systems while fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment for students and staff.
The Program Director partners closely with National Leadership to implement organizational initiatives, maintain program quality standards, and support continuous improvement efforts across the organization.
This is a full-time exempt on-site leadership position based in Berkeley, California. Evening and occasional weekend responsibilities may be required based on program operations and student support needs.
Reports to: National Leadership
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Center leadership and staff teams.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and student-centered culture aligned with CIPโs mission and values.
Support hiring, onboarding, staff development, coaching, and performance management processes.
Facilitate team communication, operational meetings, and leadership rhythms.
Promote professionalism, accountability, consistency, and strong follow-through across the Center team.
Student Experience & Program Quality
Ensure consistent delivery of CIPโs program model, curriculum, and support services.
Oversee student support systems including advising processes, team reviews, student progress monitoring, and crisis response.
Support positive student development in executive functioning, independent living, social communication, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy.
Maintain high standards for student safety, professionalism, and quality of care.
Partner with families to support student success and maintain strong communication and trust.
Residential & Community-Based Operations
Support oversight of student residential and community-based programming environments.
Ensure students are appropriately supported in independent living, safety, wellness, and community integration.
Collaborate with staff to maintain structured and supportive living environments that align with CIP expectations and student growth goals.
Operations & Administration
Oversee daily Center operations including scheduling, staffing coordination, facilities oversight, and administrative systems.
Monitor operational effectiveness, labor utilization, and budget adherence.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, risk management practices, and applicable regulations.
Maintain organized systems, documentation, reporting processes, and operational accountability measures.
Enrollment & External Relations
Partner with admissions and marketing teams to support enrollment growth and student retention.
Build and maintain relationships with educational consultants, clinicians, school personnel, property management, and other community partners.
Participate in outreach, tours, admissions activities, and community engagement efforts as needed.
Strategic Planning & Accountability
Execute organizational initiatives and strategic priorities at the Center level.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators related to enrollment, retention, staffing, student outcomes, and program quality.
Identify operational challenges and implement continuous improvement strategies.
Contribute to organizational planning, collaboration, and leadership initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelorโs degree required; advanced degree preferred in education, psychology, counseling, leadership, special education, social work, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership or management experience in education, student services, residential programs, behavioral health, disability support, transition services, or related environments.
Strong experience working with autistic individuals, ADHD, learning differences, and/or neurodiverse populations is highly preferred.
Experience within residential, community-based, transition, therapeutic, independent living, or young adult support environments is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage operations, and support staff performance in fast-paced service environments.
Strong organizational, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to balance empathy, structure, accountability, and professionalism in complex student-centered environments.
Experience managing multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and operational consistency.
Comfort operating within structured systems, schedules, accountability measures, and performance expectations.
Experience with budgeting, reporting, scheduling systems, or operational oversight preferred.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and database/CRM systems preferred.
Some travel both in and out of state may be required.
An active driverโs license is required.
Successful Program Directors at CIP:
Build strong, engaged, and accountable teams
Foster a positive, growth-oriented student culture
Balance support, empathy, and accountability effectively
Maintain organized systems and operational consistency
Communicate effectively with students, families, and staff
Lead calmly and effectively through challenges and changing priorities
Drive strong student retention, engagement, and program quality
Support continuous improvement while maintaining alignment with CIPโs mission and standards
Competency-Based Hiring Philosophy
CIP utilizes a competency-based hiring and development process designed to evaluate candidates based on demonstrated skills, experience, leadership capability, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role. Compensation placement within the salary range is determined based on factors including relevant experience, demonstrated competencies, leadership background, industry expertise, and familiarity with CIPโs service model and student population. Candidates with direct experience supporting neurodiverse young adults, transition-age programming, residential environments, and multidisciplinary educational or support teams may be better positioned for advanced placement within the range.
CIP values professional growth and is committed to developing leaders over time through training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Physical & Work Environment
This position operates within a highly interactive educational and student-services environment. Responsibilities may include prolonged periods of standing, walking between program locations, lifting up to 25 pounds, and responding to student or operational needs in real time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
College Internship Program (CIP) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, training, and termination.
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position and is not intended to represent a complete list of all duties and responsibilities.