Program Development Director

CHILDRENS RECEIVING HOME•Sacramento, CA

9h•$110,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Program Development Director leads the planning, design, and successful implementation of all new programs at the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento (CRH). Acting as a key strategic partner and second-in-command to the CEO, this role drives data-informed decision-making, cross-functional coordination, and execution of agency-wide initiatives. The Director collaborates closely with clinical leadership to ensure new programs are financially viable, compliant, operationally ready, and aligned with CRH’s mission and strategic priorities. This role requires strong project management expertise, leadership presence, and the ability to move complex initiatives from concept through full operational launch.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
3–6 years of experience in program development, program management, project management, or related leadership roles (nonprofit experience strongly preferred).
Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional projects or program launches from concept through implementation.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Proven leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, and developing staff.
Ability to work effectively across disciplines and influence without direct authority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
Strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and comfort operating in dynamic environments.
Valid California driver’s license, proof of insurance, and ability to pass required background checks.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within youth-serving, nonprofit, or community-based organizations.
Familiarity with Medi-Cal, behavioral health, or public funding environments.
Experience launching new programs or services.
Project management certification (PMP, Lean, or similar).

Responsibilities

Lead the assessment, design, and implementation of all new programs.
Conduct needs assessments, feasibility analyses, and environmental scans to inform program design and leadership decisions.
Develop comprehensive implementation plans, including timelines, budgets, staffing models, resource needs, regulatory considerations, and success metrics.
Prepare and present data-driven recommendations and proposals to the CEO and leadership team.
Ensure all new programs align with CRH’s mission, values, strategic plan, and compliance requirements.
Serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to the CEO on organizational priorities and growth initiatives.
Collaborate closely with the Outpatient and Residential Clinical Directors to support seamless integration of new programs into existing service lines.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across clinical, operations, finance, HR, and administrative teams.
Act as a connector and problem-solver to remove barriers and keep initiatives moving forward.
Oversee all phases of program implementation, from planning through launch and stabilization.
Establish project timelines, milestones, and accountability structures to ensure on-time delivery.
Identify risks, dependencies, and resource constraints; develop mitigation strategies and escalate issues as needed.
Track progress, monitor readiness, and adjust plans to ensure successful program launches.
Define and monitor performance indicators to support continuous improvement.
Identify staffing needs for new programs and support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training efforts.
Provide leadership, coaching, and feedback to newly hired program staff.
Foster a collaborative, trauma-informed, and mission-driven culture grounded in accountability and professional growth.
Partner with the CEO and finance team to develop and manage program budgets.
Coordinate with Quality Improvement and leadership to ensure regulatory, licensing, audit, and Medi-Cal requirements are met.
Develop dashboards, progress updates, and implementation reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain relationships with external partners, county agencies, funders, and community stakeholders.
Support grant development, proposals, and reporting related to new and expanding programs.
Participate in leadership meetings, committees, and cross-agency initiatives.
Provide operational or crisis support as needed.
Other duties as assigned.