Team Leader / House Manager (CILA Services) - Lake County

Aspire Chicago; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO & Holidays

403(b) Match

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

EAP

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Aspire Chicago is seeking a Team Leader / House Manager to oversee daily operations of community homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will lead DSP teams, ensure safe, supportive environments, and partner with Life Consultants and families to deliver person-centered care.

In this role you’ll manage staffing, training, compliance, and budgets, while staying hands-on with at least one DSP shift weekly to model service excellence and uphold Aspire's mission of

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's in Social Services preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of experience supporting individuals with IDD.
• Valid driver's license with clean record.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and electronic documentation.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop DSP team members and ensure proper support ratios; conduct hiring and onboarding; promote a collaborative culture.
• Provide person-centered support by aligning services with each individual's goals and advocate for dignity, choice and independence.
• Oversee home and program operations including safety, compliance, budgets, and staff training; ensure current certifications.
• Work a direct support shift weekly and provide on-call leadership to maintain continuity of care.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Communication

Staff scheduling

On-call leadership

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Social Services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic documentation systems

Job description

Description

Empower Independence. Build Community. Lead with Purpose.

About Aspire:

Since 1960, Aspire has been creating boundless opportunities for people with disabilities. We believe in working together to pursue greater possibilities, foster meaningful connections, and build communities where everyone belongs. Every member of our team plays a role in advancing this mission!

The Role:

The Team Leader / House Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the daily operations of assigned community homes serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Aspire's Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) programs.

This position provides leadership, supervision, and support to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) while partnering closely with Life Consultants and families to ensure each person receives exceptional, individualized support in a safe and empowering environment.

The Team Leader / House Manager is responsible for staffing, team development, person-centered support, home operations, compliance, and continuity of care, while maintaining a hands-on leadership approach. This role is ideal for a compassionate and driven leader who values dignity, accountability, teamwork, and person-centered support and is passionate about helping people thrive in the communities they call home.

Your leadership directly impacts lives!

What You'll Do:

Lead & Develop Teams

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop DSP team members.
• Manage staffing schedules and ensure proper support ratios.
• Conduct hiring, onboarding, training, evaluations, and performance management.
• Facilitate monthly team meetings and promote a collaborative culture.
• Manage payroll, scheduling adjustments, PTO requests, and staffing coverage.
• Provide on-call leadership support as scheduled.

Provide Person-Centered Support

• Ensure services align with each individual's goals, dreams, and Individual Service Plan.
• Advocate for dignity, choice, independence, and community engagement.
• Support meaningful activities including recreation, fitness, education, hobbies, and social opportunities.
• Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral or medical crises.

Oversee Home & Program Operations

• Maintain safe, clean, and welcoming home environments.
• Monitor compliance with medication administration, documentation, safety drills, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee household budgets, participant funds, LINK cards, and supply management.
• Ensure DSP training requirements and certifications remain current.

Provide Hands-On Leadership

• Work a minimum of one direct support shift weekly to stay connected to home operations and provide service modeling.
• Provide support coverage as needed to ensure continuity of care.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in Social Services or related field preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities required.
• Previous employee supervision or leadership experience preferred.
• Valid Driver's License with good driving record required.
• Minimum age of 21 required.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

Who You Are:

• A strong communicator and team builder who builds positive working relationships and supports a collaborative team environment.
• Calm under pressure and confident in decision-making, particularly when responding to behavioral or medical crises.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Compassionate, respectful, and person-centered, with a strong commitment to dignity, choice, and independence.
• Passionate about community inclusion and disability advocacy.
• Flexible and dependable, with a hands-on leadership style and willingness to provide direct support when needed.

Why Aspire?

At Aspire, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, connected, and fulfilling life. Our community homes provide opportunities for people with disabilities to build relationships, explore their interests, develop independence, and experience genuine belonging.

Full-Time Benefits

(for employees regularly scheduled to work 37.5+ hours per week)

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Options
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time)
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're driven to lead with purpose, empower independence, and create meaningful opportunities for others, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and use your leadership skills to help create safe, welcoming homes where everyone has the opportunity to thrive!