Adult Autism Program Manager

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 67,500 - 82,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation

Competitive insurances

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading educational institution seeks an Adult Autism Program Manager to oversee integration of autism research and training services. This role requires collaboration with community partners and focuses on developing evidence-based supports for adults with autism. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in behavior treatment and clinical supervision. The position offers competitive compensation and aligns with strategic goals in developmental disabilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in behavior treatment for adults with autism.
• 2+ years of experience providing clinical supervision.

Responsibilities

• Integrate autism research and service programming.
• Collaborate with community partners to guide programming.
• Develop capacity for evidence-based adult services.
• Manage program budget and expenditures.

Skills

Behavior treatment

Mental health services

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Data-driven evaluation

Education

Master’s degree in psychology, applied behavior analysis, or social work

Job description

Adult Autism Program Manager role at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Research Program Manager (B)

Job Summary: The Waisman Center is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases throughout the lifespan. One of 15 centers of its kind in the United States, the Waisman Center encompasses laboratories for biomedical and behavioral research, several scientific research cores, and a clinical biomanufacturing facility for the production of pharmaceuticals for early stage human clinical trials. In addition to its research efforts, the Center provides an array of services to people with developmental disabilities, offers numerous educational and outreach programs to young children and their families, and trains scientists and clinicians who will serve our nation in the future. The mission of the Waisman Center’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is to support the full inclusion and self-determination of people with developmental disabilities and their families through: development of personnel qualified to provide services in the health, education and social service systems; provision of services, technical assistance and the dissemination of information; and the contribution of new knowledge about the causes and prevention of developmental disabilities, the impact of disabilities on individuals and families, and the efficacy of assessment, intervention, and support methods.

The Adult Autism Program Manager will support the integration of autism research, training, and service programming within the UCEDD for adults and their families. This position will work to identify needs of the autism community during adulthood and collaborate with community partners to guide alignment of current and future adult programming with the research, training, and model service opportunities and initiatives of the UCEDD and the broader Waisman Center. Responsibilities will include program development and direction, implementation, and evaluation, including provision of direct model services; co‑design with community partners, orientation, training, and supervision of staff and learners; budgeting and fiscal management; exploring and establishing pathways for sustainability, replicability, and scalability consistent with an implementation science approach. Additionally, the Adult Autism Program Manager will focus on developing capacity for evidence‑based adult services and supports, including mental health treatment, within the UCEDD and will include research and dissemination of these approaches through statewide training and technical assistance.

This position is part or full‑time with an FTE of 50% to 100% (an estimated 20 to 40 hours per week). It will be partially remote, with an expectation of at least 60% time on‑site.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full‑time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information
• Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives
• Plans and directs the day‑to‑day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives
• Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims
• Contributes to core functions of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), including activities of training/teaching, conducting research, disseminating evidence and best practices, and demonstrating model services
• Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures
• Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program

Compensation: $75,000 minimum; salary is negotiable and will be based on education, experience and skills. Employees can expect benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, paid time off, competitive insurances, savings accounts and retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in providing behavior treatment and mental health services to adults with autism and other developmental disabilities and their family members.
• At least 2 years of experience providing clinical supervision for providers and trainees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in leading or facilitating partnerships between interdisciplinary teams, including mental health professionals, behavior analysts, healthcare providers, community organizations, and state agencies to enhance service delivery and program design.
• Experience applying evidence‑based practices in autism, mental health, or developmental disability services, with knowledge of current and emerging best practices.
• Experience using data‑driven approaches for program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing program budgets, including financial oversight, resource allocation, and grant compliance.

Education

A Master’s degree in psychology, applied behavior analysis, social work, or another related discipline is required. A PhD or other terminal degree in the aforementioned fields is preferred.

How to Apply

Please click the appropriate option in the Apply Now box to start the application process. As part of your application, please upload:

• A current resume or CV highlighting your experience, training, and/or credentials relevant to the position.
• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, summarizing your relevant experience, and explaining how your background aligns with the requirements of the role.

Incomplete application packages missing any of the requested documentation will not be considered. Professional references will be requested of all final candidates.

Additional Information

• The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.
• A Criminal Background Check will be performed.
• The successful applicant will be required to complete HIPAA training and receive certification upon hire and annually thereafter.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this position or posting, please contact Abram Hopp, Human Resources Generalist, at [e-mail] or [phone].

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

UW‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy‑related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre‑employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. UW‑Madison will provide a paper copy of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report upon request. The report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on‑campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years.