Manager, Advocacy & Counseling

About The Rowan Center

The Rowan Center is the state-designated sexual assault resource center serving Lower Fairfield County. For nearly 50 years, we have worked to prevent sexual violence and other trauma, respond to crisis when harm occurs, and support adult and youth survivors on their path to healing.

Each year, we provide thousands of free, confidential services through our 24/7 helpline, crisis counseling, advocacy, prevention education, support groups, and long-term trauma therapy. Our prevention education programs reach more than 25,000 students annually, while our advocacy and counseling services support survivors, families, schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and communities throughout the region.

The Rowan Center also operates the Trauma Recovery Practice, a statewide outpatient mental health program providing evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy, including EMDR, for adults across Connecticut who have experienced any form of trauma.

Position Overview

The Manager, Advocacy & Counseling provides leadership for The Rowan Center's advocacy and counseling programs, ensuring survivors receive compassionate, high-quality, trauma-informed services. Reporting to the Director of Counseling & Advocacy, this position supervises staff, manages day-to-day operations, strengthens community partnerships, oversees program quality, and supports organizational growth through collaboration, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.

The Manager maintains a limited counseling caseload while serving as a key liaison with law enforcement, hospitals, prosecutors, multidisciplinary teams, and other community partners.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Program Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support advocacy and counseling staff through regular supervision, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Assign new clients to counselors, advocates, and interns while balancing caseloads across the team.
• Maintain a limited counseling caseload, as determined by the Director of Counseling & Advocacy.
• Ensure counseling and advocacy services meet professional standards, organizational policies, and grant requirements.
• Review documentation for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Assist in developing department policies, procedures, strategic goals, and annual work plans.
• Monitor program data, outcomes, and reporting requirements.
• Identify staff development needs and coordinate professional training opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership on quality improvement initiatives and department planning.

Community Partnerships & Survivor Advocacy

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies, hospitals, prosecutors, courts, multidisciplinary teams, schools, and community organizations throughout the service area.
• Coordinate participation in multidisciplinary teams and the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.
• Support advocacy services for survivors navigating hospitals, police investigations, and the criminal justice system.
• Coordinate trauma-informed training for hospitals, law enforcement, and community partners.
• Ensure hospital resource materials, clothing bags, and survivor information are maintained and available.
• Represent The Rowan Center at coalition meetings, community events, outreach activities, and professional trainings.

Crisis Response & Other Duties

• Complete and maintain Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor certification.
• Serve as a management-level backup for The Rowan Center's 24/7 helpline and provide guidance during complex or high-risk cases.
• Review helpline activity and provide follow-up support to staff as needed.
• Support grant writing, reporting, and program evaluation by providing data and narrative information.
• Collaborate across departments to strengthen services, policies, and organizational initiatives.
• Participate in fundraising events, staff meetings, strategic planning, and agency committees.
• Assist with prevention education programming and Crisis Counselor Training as needed.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends based on operational and program needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of The Rowan Center's mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, public health, human services, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, public health, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in victim services, counseling, advocacy, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and gender-based violence.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement, courts, schools, and community organizations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to supervise staff, manage multiple priorities, and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Completion of, or willingness to complete, Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor certification.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Commensurate with esperience.

Benefits include:

• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 18 days of accrued Paid Time Off annually
• 12 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• Professional development opportunities