Associate Director of Emergency & Transitional Programs

La Casa Norte•Chicago, IL

1d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

La Casa Norte is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Associate Director of Programs (Shelter, Transitional & Supportive Programs), overseeing our Emergency Shelter, Drop-In Center, Transitional Housing, and supportive services for youth and families experiencing homelessness. This role drives high-quality, consistent program operations across multiple sites while coaching Program Managers to lead strong, effective teams. The Associate Director leads crisis response, stabilization efforts, and participant-centered services, including engagement and safety planning. Grounded in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Positive Youth Development, this position ensures participants are supported on their path to stability, wellness, and permanent housing. The Associate Director plays a key role in advancing program excellence and deepening La Casa Norte’s impact in the community. This is a full-time onsite exempt position working Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in youth services, homelessness, housing, or workforce development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, Housing First, harm reduction, and crisis intervention models.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs, teams, and budgets in a nonprofit or social services setting.
Proven ability to recruit, train, and supervise staff.
Strong operational and organizational management skills, including program logistics and facility coordination.
Experience working with government contracts, grants, and compliance requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational oversight of Emergency Shelter, Drop-In Center, Transitional Housing, and supportive programs to ensure effective service delivery and achievement of program goals.
Develop, implement, and refine systems, workflows, and standard operating procedures to promote consistency and high-quality services.
Oversee daily operations across sites, including participant engagement, safety protocols, facility coordination, and basic needs services.
Monitor program performance and ensure compliance with funder requirements (DFSS, IDHS, HUD, and others) and industry best practices.
Identify and resolve operational challenges to improve service delivery, participant engagement, and outcomes.
Provide on-call leadership support on a rotating basis and guide staff during crisis situations.
Collaborate with clinical teams and external partners to address behavioral health needs and ensure appropriate interventions.
Supervise Program Managers across Shelter, Drop-In, Transitional Housing, and Supportive Programs.
Provide consistent on-site leadership across multiple program locations in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Deliver coaching, mentorship, and professional development to support high-quality, trauma-informed care.
Ensure consistency in supervision practices, performance management, and service expectations across teams.
Conduct regular supervision (minimum every three weeks), team meetings, and weekly check-ins to review schedules, staffing coverage, and operational needs.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, and staffing structures to ensure adequate coverage across all shifts, including evenings and weekends.
Ensure staff are trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation models (e.g., Handle with Care or equivalent).
Conduct probationary and annual performance evaluations for direct reports.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable culture that supports staff well-being and retention.
Oversee shelter-based, transitional, and supportive programs to ensure safe, responsive, and participant-centered services.
Ensure staff support participants in meeting immediate needs, developing stabilization plans, and progressing toward housing readiness and long-term goals.
Manage participant flow, including intake, engagement, referrals, and transitions to housing and supportive services.
Maintain a welcoming, safe, and trauma-informed environment for participants, including those with high-acuity needs.
Strengthen coordination with internal housing programs and external partners to support transitions to permanent housing.
Evaluate program effectiveness and refine or develop policies and procedures to improve outcomes and performance metrics.
Ensure accuracy and timeliness of program data and documentation (Client Track, HMIS, housing stability plans, activity logs, and reports).
Conduct regular audits to ensure data quality and compliance with government contracts and funder requirements.
Collaborate with Data and Finance teams on budgeting, reporting, and funding alignment.
Support Development and Finance teams to ensure programming aligns with grant requirements and funding expectations.
Participate in budget development and monitoring to ensure appropriate resource allocation.
Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, service providers, and funders.
Represent La Casa Norte in coalitions, advocacy efforts, and community meetings related to homelessness, youth services, and supportive housing.
Support fundraising and communications by contributing program data, outcomes, and impact stories.
Contribute to agency-wide strategic planning to strengthen service quality and program effectiveness.
Collaborate on new funding opportunities, grant development, and program expansion in partnership with senior leadership.
Attending weekly staff meetings and other staff training courses
Participating in La Casa Norte’s fundraising events
Working in team approach to developing new programs
Perform other duties as required

Benefits

Paid Time Off: 14 vacation days per year.
Personal Days: 7 personal days per year (may be carried over into the following year but must be used by December 31 of that year).
Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually.
Sick Leave: 6 sick days per year (up to 20 hours of unused sick time may be carried over year to year).
Health Insurance: Medical coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HMO or PPO options available).
Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options available.
Retirement Savings: 403(b) retirement savings plan.
Life Insurance: $25,000 in basic term life insurance (provided at no cost to the employee).
Disability Insurance: Long-term disability insurance (provided at no cost to the employee).
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Options for pre-tax savings on eligible healthcare, transit, and dependent care expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support and resources for employees.