Healthcare Management Summer Internship: Center Operations Director (COD) Track

Soar Autism Center is building a network of interdisciplinary clinics where children with autism and their families receive life-shaping services that support them to thrive. We prioritize early intervention, comprehensive supportive services, and positive, developmentally-appropriate learning that meets the needs of each unique child and family. Specifically, we focus on integrated autism care and a play-based model of applied behavior analysis (ABA) based on the principles of the Early Start Denver Model.

Join Soar Autism Center for an immersive, hands-on summer internship designed for MBA, MHA or other graduate students interested in management, operations and healthcare, and making a difference. Our program offers a unique opportunity to explore a leadership pathway in the rapidly growing field of pediatric autism care with the potential for full-time hire in 2027.

The Center Operations Director Internship is a good fit for a candidate who has previously led teams and managed operations and enjoys working with people. We are looking for candidates who are highly organized and detail-oriented, maintain calm and poise in a fast-paced environment, and are mission-driven to help young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Responsibilities of a full-time COD at Soar include:

• Day-to-Day Center Operations

  • Owning local fidelity to Soars operating processes, including center cleanliness and organization, RBT billable hours management, scheduling, parent communications, etc.

  • Partnering with market-level leadership to maintain accountability for center performance across key operating metrics, including budget, efficiency, and much more.

  • Serving as the core leader in the center, having deep expertise on center operations and expectations, and leading by example in daily processes and decision-making.

  • Demonstrating professionalism and maturity to the highest standard in interactions with families, clients, and staff.

• Client Communication and Relationship Management

  • Managing all non-clinical aspects of the client experience, including building strong relationships with caregivers and providing needed support, owning family communications in partnership with the local clinician team, ensuring strong attendance, driving strong client NPS scores, and addressing all concerns.

• Local Leadership

  • Acting as the primary people leader for local employees, supervising local clinicians and coaching them on career development and leadership for their RBT supervisees.

In this graduate student internship, youll experience the full scope of a Center Operations Director (COD) role at Soar and ideally, be prepared to take a full-time COD role after graduation in 2027

Elements of the internship will include:

• Training Bootcamp

  • Cohort-based classroom training

  • Learn Soars innovative care model and operational structure

  • Understand the core responsibilities of a COD

• Real-World Shadowing

  • Daily immersion in 12 Soar centers

  • Learning from experienced Center Operation Directors

  • Hands-on experience with center operations, team management, and care delivery logistics

• Strategic Special Projects

  • Tackle a high-impact business initiative (examples could include: leading new center openings, revamping training programs, or shaping internal policies)

  • Collaborate with and gain exposure to corporate and market leadership

• Ongoing Networking, Mentorship and Professional Development

Qualifications/Education:

• This is a full-time summer internship based in Denver, Colorado between June-August 2026 (exact start and end dates can be negotiated)

• Bachelors degree required

• Must be a graduate student in a business, healthcare administration or other relevant degree program

• Must be on track to graduate between Dec 2026-December 2027

• Prefer previous people management experience

• Prefer previous operations management experience

What We Offer:

• Compensation of $7000/month

• Tons of support from our multidisciplinary team

• A collaborative and fun environment where every team member's contribution is valued

• Opportunity for full-time hire beginning in 2027 in our Phoenix or Denver markets

Soar Autism Center is committed to diversity and inclusion at all levels. As an equal opportunity employer, we strictly prohibit discrimination or harassment and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics.