A Day in the Life of an ABA Center Operations Manager at Action Behavior Centers

Running an applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy center takes a specific kind of leader. At Action Behavior Centers (ABC), that's the operations manager (OM), someone who leads a team, welcomes families, solves problems on the fly, and keeps every piece of the center running the way it should.

OMs don't run a center alone. They work side by side with the center's Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) Clinical Director, who leads the clinical side of the center, while OMs own the operational side, from scheduling and compliance to family onboarding. Together, they make sure every autistic child who walks through the door has access to the individualized support they need.

What does an ABC operations manager do each morning?

For Danique Gable, a Senior Operations Manager at ABC, the best part of her day happens right at the start. "My favorite part of the day as the OM is in the mornings when everyone comes in, especially the children. Some of them cannot wait to leave the car and run into our building because they know that it's another day full of fun," she says.

That energy at the door reflects something OMs work hard to build: a center where children diagnosed with autism feel safe, excited, and genuinely happy to be. Welcoming families at drop-off is a small moment with a big signal. It tells parents their child is in good hands, and it sets the tone for the whole team.

Mornings also bring the first round of operational check-ins. OMs review the day's schedule, confirm staffing, address any immediate needs that have come up overnight, and sync with their Clinic Admissions Associate (CAA) on family communications and any new onboarding activity.

How ABC operations managers lead a center day-to-day

The middle of the day is where the operational leadership of the OM role comes through most clearly. OMs manage scheduling logistics, support teammates who need guidance, handle unexpected issues as they arise, and make sure the center is meeting compliance requirements across insurance and funding sources.

They also work closely with two key partners. The Clinical Director brings the clinical perspective, with deep knowledge of each child on the caseload and strong relationships with the BCBA and Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) teams. The CAA handles front-desk operations and miscellaneous family support. Danique describes those relationships as foundational: "There are two people that are really kind of like my mentors. One of them is our Clinical Director, and that's mainly because she has all the clinical knowledge about her children; she knows all of our BCBAs and all of our RBTs very well. And then the second person would be our CAA. We really do not function without each other."

That three-person leadership core is what keeps a center stable. When each person knows their role and trusts their teammates, the center runs smoothly even when the day throws curveballs.

How ABC operations managers build center culture

Not only do Operations managers manage center logistics, but they also shape the experience of every teammate, child, and family in the building. Danique builds culture intentionally through regular recognition and themed activities: "I really like that we do lots of themes; we do Fun Fridays, we do lots of shout-outs. Positive praise for people who do a good job is really important."

One of her most memorable moments captures that culture in action: "We had a fire truck come to our center, and all of our children got to go outside and meet the firemen. It meant a lot for their parents too, because these community events aren't always easy to access if you have an autistic child."

Afternoons, work-life balance, and career growth

Afternoons shift toward the administrative side of the role: reviewing operational data, processing insurance and funding documentation, following up on family onboarding, and joining leadership calls. As the day winds down, OMs are often back near the door for pickup, the same way they started their morning.

The role asks a lot, but ABC is straightforward about giving back. "I really like how ABC has a great work-life balance. You work hard, you have a lot of fun, but on the weekends and evenings you also have time to spend with family," Danique explains. ABC's operations roles also come with competitive pay, monthly and quarterly bonuses, generous parental leave, 401K matching, and student loan repayment support.

The career path is clear too: Clinic Operations Manager, Senior Clinic Operations Manager, Group Clinic Operations Manager, and Regional Director of Clinic Operations. Those who start as a CAA can move through Senior CAA and Assistant Operations Manager before reaching OM. Danique is already eyeing what's next: "My goal is to eventually be a Regional Director of Operations, to oversee a team of operations managers and drive them to be better every day." She’s well on her way!

How to apply for an operations manager role at ABC

If you're organized, driven, and motivated by the idea of running a center where autistic children reach milestone moments every day through individualized, evidence-based care, an operations role at ABC may be a great fit. ABC offers a structured path from CAA to Regional Director, with the support and investment to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Explore open operations roles in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas, or view all ABA operations positions here.

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