Program Director - Palo Alto

LIFEMOVES • Santa Clara, CA

5d • $82,000 - $115,000

About The Position

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of housing and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With 40 programs, LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach. POSITION PURPOSE LifeMoves | Palo Alto LifeMoves Palo Alto provides interim supportive housing with 24 family units and 64 individual units, offering holistic, client-centered services that help households build self-sufficiency and return to housing stability. Through case management, workshops, and access to specialized resources, clients receive support with employment, housing, benefits, and overall well-being. The Program Director will lead the successful launch and ongoing operations of the new Palo Alto site, ensuring services are safe, welcoming, and aligned with LifeMoves’ mission and values. This role oversees all aspects of program management, including staff hiring and training, facility coordination, partnership development, budget oversight, and compliance. The Program Director establishes a strong foundation of trauma-informed care, community collaboration, and operational excellence that supports long-term sustainability and measurable client outcomes. A key focus of this role is building a healthy, positive, and high-performing team culture. The Program Director provides trauma-informed supervision, coaching, and mentorship to staff, fostering professional growth and accountability. They partner closely with agency leadership to ensure consistent service quality, effective communication, and a unified program vision. The role also maintains strong relationships with funders, community organizations, and local partners to enhance client resources and uphold LifeMoves’ professional reputation. Additionally, the Program Director ensures safety protocols are followed, leads continuous improvement initiatives, and supports staff in delivering high-quality, client-centered services within a 24/7 residential setting. Reporting to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing, the Program Director plays a critical role in advancing LifeMoves’ mission by ensuring excellence in operations, leadership, compliance, and community partnership. LifeMoves Interim Supportive Housing programs serve neighbors in time-based accommodations by providing more stability before their move to permanent housing and focusing on accommodations, meals, laundry, case management, and therapy. These sites are staffed 24/7 and this role provides support and resources to staff at the site and reports to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing. The Program Director supports the effective operation, leadership, and growth of LifeMoves programs, ensuring services are safe, trauma-informed, and client-centered. This role oversees daily program operations, supervises staff, fosters community partnerships, ensures compliance, and promotes service excellence aligned with the organization’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human or social services, community outreach, or related fields.
• Minimum 3 years of direct service experience and 2 years of supervisory experience in a human or social services setting supporting vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and Mental Health First Aid (or equivalent training).
• Basic understanding of budgeting, contract management, and program operations.
• Demonstrates care, respect, and empathy, with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
• Maintains professionalism and emotional regulation under pressure; applies de-escalation techniques to support safety and positive outcomes.
• Strong growth mindset, open to feedback, continuous learning, and professional development.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and time-management skills; pays attention to detail and takes initiative.
• Clear, professional, and accurate written and verbal communication; maintains thorough documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, email, databases, and case management or reporting systems.
• Advocates for clients, connecting them with housing, employment, health, and community resources.
• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and government agencies.
• Problem-solving and research skills to identify solutions and resources for client needs.
• Supervises, coaches, and develops staff using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.
• Delegates responsibilities effectively and promotes team accountability.
• Responds calmly and effectively to crises using safety and de-escalation strategies.
• Models and reinforces professional boundaries and self-care practices.
• Facilitates group sessions, workshops, and client meetings to support learning and empowerment.
• Anticipates program needs, encourages innovation, and applies best practices in service delivery.
• Supervises Case Managers, Specialists, Residential Service Coordinators, Resident Managers, and Program Aides.
• Provides coaching, performance evaluation, and ongoing support to ensure high-quality, client-centered services.
• A valid California 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily program operations to ensure services are safe, welcoming, and effective.
• Manage program administration, budgeting, scheduling, and resources to meet program goals.
• Identify and address safety, training, and data needs in collaboration with staff and leadership.
• Lead new program openings, including facility setup, policy and procedure development, staff recruitment and onboarding, stakeholder engagement, and community partnership building.
• Maintain clean, safe, and well-maintained sites for clients, staff, and visitors.
• Provide timely verbal and written updates to leadership and program teams.
• Coach, mentor, and guide staff using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
• Foster a positive, supportive program culture where staff feel respected, safe, and motivated.
• Plan and lead client meetings, staff meetings, team check-ins, and one-on-one meetings.
• Support hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Ensure all client services are trauma-informed, ethical, professional, and effective.
• Support staff in facilitating client groups, workshops, activities, and meetings.
• Provide direct client support, including referrals, crisis intervention, and maintaining a small caseload when necessary.
• Oversee case management services and ensure accurate, up-to-date client documentation.
• Build and maintain relationships with service providers, businesses, government agencies, and community groups.
• Collaborate with partners to enhance services and expand client resources.
• Represent LifeMoves professionally in the community and educate partners on programs and services.
• Support contract management to ensure program activities meet funder expectations.
• Gather, review, and report program data on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Support compliance with funding, regulatory, and agency requirements, including HUD and Fair Housing guidelines.
• Assist with audits, certifications, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Partner with staff and leadership to identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and service excellence.
• Attend team, staff, partner, board meetings, and fundraising events as needed.
• Participate in agency-wide initiatives, trainings, and activities that support LifeMoves’ mission.
• Complete all required trainings, including CPR, Mental Health/First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, HMIS, and additional online learning modules.
• Engage in continuing education to maintain expertise and best practices.
• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the program, department, and organization.

Benefits

• This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.
• Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with agency policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees