Program Director - Specialized Services

LIFEMOVES•Santa Clara, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Specialized Services team provides support to Housing, Vocational, and Benefits Specialists, ensuring effective training and program coordination across all interim housing programs. The Specialized Services Program Director (PD) is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, development, budgeting, evaluation, and reporting of specialized services for individual adults, couples, and families. This role includes collaborating with the Associate Program Director of Specialized Services (APD) and other team members to enhance and expand client-focused programs. This management position plays a key role in supporting daily operations, safety, and overall program success. They model the agency’s values by treating everyone with respect and care, creating a culture where clients and staff feel welcomed, empowered, and supported. The Program Director focuses on building strong team relationships, inspiring professional growth, and maintaining a healthy, positive program culture. They provide trauma-informed supervision and coaching to staff, partner with leadership to identify training needs, strengthen communication, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, client-centered services and accurate data input. Additionally, this role helps keep the program safe and supportive by working with staff and clients to identify concerns, provide education, and develop solutions. They maintain positive relationships with community partners and funders, ensure contract compliance, and lead with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration to move the program forward.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in related field required; or an Associate's Degree with 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in related field. Related fields may include direct involvement in peer advocacy, community outreach, housing services or roles within the homelessness services field.
Comfortable using technology, including phone and messaging systems, email, Microsoft and Google Suites, and databases to complete administrative tasks, case management, reporting, and tracking outcomes, and performance management software.
Minimum of three years in a leadership role within human or social services, supporting vulnerable populations.
Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and respect for all individuals.
Stays calm and supportive in stressful situations and uses de-escalation skills.
Open to feedback and training in trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and client-centered care.
Works well independently and collaboratively.
Maintains clear documentation and organization.
Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
Advocates effectively across systems to secure client benefits and resources.
Identifies and connects clients to housing, employment, health, and social supports.
Builds collaborative relationships with partners and providers to strengthen client outcomes.
Distributes tasks effectively to balance workload and ensure team accountability.
Responds calmly and effectively to crises using trauma-informed and de-escalation strategies to support staff and clients.
Maintains and models healthy, professional boundaries demonstrating the importance of self-awareness, self-care, and sustainability in the human services field. Supports staff in doing the same through coaching, reflection, and strengths-based feedback. Helps staff recognize signs of boundary-crossing and develop strategies for maintaining personal and professional limits.
Maintains familiarity with harm reduction, Mental Health First Aid, and other relevant best-practice approaches.
Consistently models agency values, program philosophy, and mission-aligned behaviors.
Confident leading group discussions or workshops that promote learning, collaboration, and empowerment. Uses group settings to foster learning, collaboration, and positive group dynamics.
Minimum of two years of supervisory experience supporting staff or volunteers in a human services or related setting.
Demonstrates basic knowledge of budgeting processes and resource allocation to support program operations.
Understands and able to monitor basic contract requirements to help ensure program activities meet funder expectations.
Anticipates program needs and future changes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Demonstrating a poised, credible, and confident demeanor that reassures others and commands respect, conveying an image that is consistent with the organization's vision and values.
Translates strategy into action, ensuring efficient and effective implementation. Establishes clear goals, tracks progress and holds teams accountable for results.
Cultivates commitment to fundamental strategic and cultural change throughout LifeMoves, even if the change is radical to align with the organization's evolving vision and strategic plan.
Manages budgets, expenses, and resources responsibly to meet financial targets.
Navigates workplace challenges and resolves conflicts constructively. Proactively identifies risks and develops strategies to mitigate issues.
Fosters an inclusive, equitable, and motivating team environment by modeling values, addressing issues, and translating cultural goals into daily practices.
Satisfactory results of a background check.
Submitting proof of clear TB test results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable.
A valid [State] driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.
Must be able to travel throughout the Bay Area as part of regular duties.
Must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law and agency policy.

Nice To Haves

Public speaking: Comfortable presenting to internal and external audiences (preferred).

Responsibilities

Ensure program services are safe, trauma-informed, welcoming, and effective.
Partner with leadership to manage budgets, data, and other needs that support program goals.
Support high-quality client services by modeling trauma-informed, strengths-based engagement and maintaining a small caseload as needed.
Ensure staff documentation and service delivery meet accuracy and compliance standards.
Ensure compliance with agency, funding, and regulatory requirements (e.g., HUD, Fair Housing).
Support data collection, audits, and continuous improvement efforts.
Adapt and make strategic decisions in regards to supportive service programming in order to scale with the growth of the organization.
Write and share comprehensive reports to the Senior Director, Development team, and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate strategic planning and funding discussions.
Review and provide feedback on essential documents, manuals, and presentations relevant to program operations to ensure that all materials are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with organizational goals and best practices.
In collaboration with the APD, support and manage added on support contracts.
Provide supervision and coaching to staff using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
Lead meetings, manage hiring, scheduling, and evaluations to maintain clear communication and a positive, professional program culture.
Share key information: job descriptions, performance expectations, work flows and goals for Specialized Services team and Specialists.
Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, businesses, and agencies, including property owner/landlords.
Represent LifeMoves professionally and help educate partners about programs and services.
Collaborate with the Family and Children’s Services team around shared processes and priorities.
Participate in agency-wide meetings, initiatives, and training programs as needed or directed including but not limited to partner meetings, board meetings and fundraising events.
Fully participate in all required trainings. This includes completing trainings by assigned deadlines, actively engaging during sessions, and applying learnings to daily work.
Attend continuing education opportunities to grow expertise and uphold agency standards.
Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed or as schedule describes.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet program and organizational needs.
Oversee the following programs and build new programs to serve clients: Career Club & Vocational Workshops, Credit Repair & Financial Support Programs, Housing Workshops & Programming, Other Specialists Workshops (e.g., Tech Literary), Resource Fairs, Adult Seminars.