Reports to: Chief of Staff
Classification: Regular, Full-time, Exempt
About Us: Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supported over 48,000 youth and adults across six counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area last year.
Caminar's mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment and wrap-around services delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. The organization was founded in 1964, and our vision is to be a BEACON of SAFETY, COMPASSION, and FULFILLMENT, supporting all those in our communities who need it most.
Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit www.caminar.org.
Position Summary: As Caminar expands its portfolio of behavioral health services, this role plays a critical part in building the organization’s capacity to design, launch, and sustain new programs with precision and rigor. The Project Manager leads the structured implementation of multiple organizational initiatives, with an initial focus on the Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center — a new, high-priority service startup.
This is not a coordination-only role. The Project Manager is responsible for translating clinical and operational goals into disciplined implementation plans, establishing the systems and infrastructure needed for program longevity, and ensuring that Caminar’s launch processes reflect the quality and accountability standards required of a high-performing behavioral health organization. The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with clinical environments, a structured approach to change management, and the judgment to navigate the complexity of multi-stakeholder healthcare programs.
The overall scope of this role includes responsibility for leading organization-wide implementation efforts that advance strategic priorities, strengthen cross-functional execution, and create scalable practices that support consistent, high-quality program launches across Caminar.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Program Implementation & Launch Readiness
- Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, implementation of roadmaps, milestone trackers, and go-live readiness assessments for all assigned initiatives.
- Define clear scope, schedule, and resource requirements for each program; proactively identify gaps between current state and launch-ready conditions.
- Lead structured pre-launch planning processes including workflow design, staffing readiness reviews, training coordination, documentation standards, and operational dry runs. Identify project risks, maintain issue logs, and escalate implementation barriers to executive leadership with clear recommendations for resolution.
- Drive the transition from planning to activation and through stabilization, ensuring programs reach sustainable operations with fidelity to design intent.
Organizational Capacity Building
- Partner with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders to strengthen Caminar’s internal implementation infrastructure — including tools, templates, protocols, and competency frameworks that can be applied across future program launches.
- Document implementation of learnings, establish repeatable processes, and contribute to a growing library of organizational best practices for new program development.
- Support the development of staffing models, clinical workflow standards, referral pathway design, and documentation practices that reflect both regulatory requirements and evidence-based care delivery.
- Identify and address gaps in team readiness, systems integration, and operational capacity before they launch barriers.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coordinate workstreams across clinical operations, compliance, quality assurance, IT, facilities, finance, HR, training, internal and external communication leads, and external vendors to ensure aligned and accountable execution.
- Facilitate regular project meetings, maintain decision logs, track action items, and ensure timely escalation of risks, dependencies, or blockers.
- Partner with compliance and quality teams to ensure all program activities align with regulatory requirements, payer and contract expectations, and organizational standards.
- Manage vendor relationships, equipment procurement, technology implementation, space readiness, and other launch logistics with structured accountability.
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
- Provide clear, concise, and timely project status updates to executive sponsors, program leaders, and key stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain executive-ready dashboards, launch readiness reports, risk registers, and implementation summaries.
- Monitor progress against scope, budget, and timeline; proactively surface variances and recommend course corrections.
- Drive own vehicle to treatment facilities and liaison destinations as required, documenting and reporting mileage per agency procedures.
- Perform other related duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills:
The successful candidate will demonstrate most of the following:
• Genuine passion for Caminar’s mission and a commitment to behavioral health equity.
• Minimum of 3+ to 5+ years of progressive project management experience; experience in healthcare or behavioral health settings preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects in a clinical, behavioral health, healthcare, or human services setting.
• Deep understanding of clinical program startup needs, including workflow design, staffing readiness, compliance coordination, documentation standards, training, and go-live planning.
• Proven ability to build organizational capacity — not just manage individual projects — by establishing systems, standards, and practices that persist beyond a single launch.
• Strong command of project management methodology; ability to apply the right level of rigor for each initiative, from lightweight tracking to full PM discipline.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
• Experience preparing executive-level updates, dashboards, launch readiness materials, and implementation plans.
• Ability to work effectively with clinical leaders, operational teams, external vendors, and administrative partners in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management certification or formal training (PMP, Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent) is preferred but not required.
Position Requirements:
• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.
Essential Requirements:
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require limited, occasional, or frequent driving. If required, a valid California driver's license, a reliable personal vehicle, and current personal auto insurance is required by law. In addition, a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) sufficient to obtain and maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• If applicable, a personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
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