Manager, Quality Improvement

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Position

The Manager, Quality Improvement, reporting to the Senior Director, Quality and Outcomes, will lead the creation and implementation of a vision for improved compliance, quality assurance and billing practices. Through the management of the Quality Improvement team, they will ensure that organizational standards are met consistently, drive continuous improvement efforts, and support teams in meeting regulatory and funder requirements.

The Manager, Quality Improvement will promote operational efficiencies while ensuring excellent client service. They will foster a culture of process improvement systems across Project 180 by designing systems, training staff and implementing change management strategies to build a more effective, accountable, and learning-oriented organization.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic oversight:
  • Design, implement and maintain a Quality Improvement plan that aligns with the organization’s mission and regulatory standards.
  • Create and implement strategic compliance systems to modernize and standardize clinical and operational workflows to ensure client service and meet funder requirements.
  • Document and codify quality improvement activities in the form of policies and procedures.
  • Proactively monitor and implement systems to achieve quality indicator goals.
• Systemwide improvements
  • Drive culture shifts in policy and practices with department leaders and frontline staff.
  • Train department leaders on quality improvement methodologies and provide oversight and consultation to support various improvement initiatives.
  • Establish clear accountability structures to ensure organization-wide policy adherence; including the integration of staff training programs to confirm policies are understood and consistently followed.
• Team Development and Management
  • Lead three person Quality Improvement and Billing department in supporting clinical and operations leaders with program development and performance data reviews, including creating and implementing QI tools as needed.
  • Provide direct supervision, coaching and support to the Quality Improvement team.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (ie BBS, CCAPP)

Skills and Competencies

• Quality Assurance & Compliance Leadership: Leads efforts to ensure programs meet regulatory, contractual, and internal quality standards through robust auditing, monitoring, and continuous improvement practices.
• Staff Training & Capacity Building: Designs and delivers effective training, coaching, and development opportunities to enhance staff knowledge, skills, and performance in alignment with quality goals.
• Strategic Thinking & System Design: Applies a systems-level perspective to identify improvement opportunities, streamline processes, and design sustainable solutions that align with organizational priorities.
• Change Management & Influence: Drives adoption of new practices by effectively communicating change, addressing resistance, and fostering buy-in across teams and stakeholders.
• Supervision & Team Development: Provides supportive and accountable supervision to team members, fostering a high-performance culture through mentoring, goal-setting, and feedback.
• Clinical & Systems Knowledge: Brings strong understanding of clinical workflows, evidence-based practices, and service delivery systems to inform quality initiatives and operational decisions.
• Operational Excellence & Follow-Through: Ensures timely execution of quality initiatives with attention to detail, clear project management, and a results-oriented approach.

Minimum Qualifications

• Required:
  • Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited college or university, and valid license or registration with licensing body (i.e. the BBS)
  • At least four years of clinical social work experience
  • 3-5-years experience in Quality Assurance and Improvement
  • Electric Health Record (EHR) experience, Exym preferred
  • Demonstrated experience developing and implementing Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Improvement (QI), and compliance plans; training staff on QA procedures; and proactively monitoring content accuracy and adherence to QA standards across program operations.
  • Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
  • Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
• Preferred:
  • Familiarity with LA County funding sources, especially Department of Mental Health, Justice and Care Opportunities (JCOD), Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR)
  • Experience managing a team

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Manager of Quality Improvement will directly manage a team of approximately 3 administrative roles.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites.

Physical Requirements

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.