Program Director

Episcopal Community Services (ECS)•San Jose, CA

23d•$142,940 - $149,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative direction for all programmatic, fiscal, regulatory, and facility-related functions of ECS’s Branham Lane Interim Housing Program. The Director reports to the Chief Program Officer and is responsible for ensuring high-quality, client-centered services that align with ECS’s mission, values, strategic goals, and contractual obligations. The Director partners with senior leadership to identify and implement strategic initiatives that strengthen service delivery and support organizational growth. This position ensures the provision of safe, welcoming, and well-maintained accommodations while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Director works closely with program, operations, finance, development, human resources, and administrative teams to ensure effective service delivery, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and positive outcomes for program participants. This position directly supervises the Support Services Manager, Operations and Facilities Manager, and three Residential Services Managers. The Director serves as the primary representative of the Interim Housing Program with public agencies, community stakeholders, funders, service providers, and partner organizations. At Episcopal Community Services (ECS), employees work with participants who may be experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use challenges, and other difficult life circumstances. While this work is meaningful and mission-driven, it can at times be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to exercise sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow established safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, participate in all required training, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions, in accordance with ECS policies and procedures. This position is initially fully onsite with the opportunity to work from home one day per week after 90-days. This is a client-facing role that requires in-person interaction and direct service delivery to participants at ECS program locations. Due to the essential nature of the duties and the need for consistent in-person engagement with clients, other work-from-home arrangements are not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Human Services, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible management experience, preferably within nonprofit organizations serving low-income, vulnerable, or high-need populations.
Experience serving individuals experiencing homelessness is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold management-level staff accountable for performance and results.
Proven ability to lead organizational and programmatic change initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build consensus and work effectively across diverse perspectives and stakeholder groups.
Experience working with diverse client populations, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction principles and trauma-informed practices.
Strong understanding of crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and community-based behavioral health and social service systems.
Advanced project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
Excellent interpersonal, leadership, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
Working knowledge of public and private funding streams supporting homelessness and housing services.
Demonstrated commitment to professional conduct, accountability, and maintaining appropriate workplace boundaries.
Experience analyzing operational processes and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
High level of integrity, professionalism, reliability, and credibility.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with attention to operational details and program outcomes.
Commitment to and alignment with the mission, values, and goals of Episcopal Community Services.
Must secure fingerprint image screening and annual TB screening
Ability to respond in person or by phone to urgent operational issues as needed after hours or on weekends
Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and lift or carry materials weighing up to 40 lbs.
Demonstrate behavior that supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Adhere to all company and department policies and procedures
Communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership, planning, administration, staffing, and oversight of Interim Housing programs and services.
Collaborate with senior leadership to explore and implement strategic initiatives that enhance program effectiveness and support organizational growth.
In partnership with Human Resources, recruit, develop, supervise, evaluate, and, when necessary, implement corrective action and separation processes for program staff.
Promote a culture of continuous learning through coaching, training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Ensure high-quality, participant-centered service delivery through effective supervision and support of management staff.
Participate in and support multidisciplinary case conferencing and coordinated care efforts.
Maintain current knowledge of homelessness, housing instability, aging services, behavioral health, and related community resources.
Develop, negotiate, and manage partnerships that enhance access to supportive services, healthcare, and community resources.
Foster innovation, collaboration, and integration among staff, community partners, and other ECS programs.
Promote a positive and inclusive work environment characterized by effective communication, employee engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
Oversee quality assurance, program evaluation, and performance improvement initiatives to ensure effective service delivery and achievement of program outcomes.
Partner with ECS’s Development Department to create meaningful volunteer engagement opportunities that support program goals.
Oversee facility operations and maintenance in collaboration with site leadership and ECS Operations staff to ensure a safe, clean, secure, and welcoming environment.
Monitor building improvement projects, equipment maintenance, and facility-related concerns to ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and regulatory standards.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality facility services, housekeeping, laundry operations, and related resident support services.
Coordinate with food service vendors and partners to ensure consistent, quality meal services for program participants.
Advise the Chief Program Officer and, when requested, the Executive Director and Board of Directors on matters related to Interim Housing operations, services, and strategic initiatives.
Participate in leadership meetings and organizational planning activities and attend Board meetings as requested.
Represent ECS in community coalitions, neighborhood meetings, stakeholder groups, and professional networks to strengthen relationships, influence policy, and advance ECS’s mission and goals.
Encourage and support appropriate staff participation in community engagement and professional development activities.
Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective stewardship of organizational resources.
Collaborate with the Development Department to secure and maintain public and private funding through proposal development, grant management, reporting, and funder engagement.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities that support program sustainability and growth.
Maintain productive relationships with funders, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
Ensure compliance with all applicable contracts, grants, regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and funding agreements.
Monitor program performance and implement corrective actions as needed to maintain compliance and operational effectiveness.
Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from funders, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and members of the public.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the successful operation of ECS Interim Housing Programs.