Temporary Program Director

LIFEMOVES•San Jose, CA

8d•$82,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

LifeMoves | Guadalupe provides interim supportive housing in San Jose to 96 individuals. During their stay, clients participate in holistic services tailored to each household’s unique needs and goals. Clients receive support to build self-sufficiency and return to housing stability, including but not limited to accommodations, meals, laundry, case management, and therapy. The team supports clients with housing, employment, benefits, physical and behavioral health through case management, workshops, and connection to specialized resources. The Temporary Program Director reports to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing and provides oversight, support and resources to staff across all shifts operating within the program site. 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 Temporary 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.
Advocacy Skills: Advocates effectively across systems to secure client benefits and resources.
Resource Identification & Research Skills: Identifies and connects clients to housing, employment, health, and social supports.
Partnership Engagement: Builds collaborative relationships with partners and providers to strengthen client outcomes.
Delegation: Distributes tasks effectively to balance workload and ensure team accountability.
Crisis Response: Responds calmly and effectively to crises using trauma-informed and de-escalation strategies to support staff and clients.
Boundaries: 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.
Best Practices: Maintains familiarity with harm reduction, Mental Health First Aid, and other relevant best-practice approaches.
Program Model and Philosophy: Consistently models agency values, program philosophy, and mission-aligned behaviors.
Group Facilitation Skills: Confident leading group discussions or workshops that promote learning, collaboration, and empowerment. Uses group settings to foster learning, collaboration, and positive group dynamics.
Facility & Safety Lens: Consistently maintains a safe, clean, and well-functioning facility while identifying and addressing safety or maintenance needs.
Supervision Experience: Minimum of two years of supervisory experience supporting staff or volunteers in a human services or related setting.
Budgeting: Demonstrates basic knowledge of budgeting processes and resource allocation to support program operations.
Contract Deliverables: Understands and able to monitor basic contract requirements to help ensure program activities meet funder expectations.
Forward Thinking: Anticipates program needs and future changes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Satisfactory results of a background check.
Submitting proof of clear TB test results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable.
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.
Provides supervision to Case Managers, Specialists (as applicable: housing, employment, benefit, children service coordinators, licensed vocational nurses) and supervision of Residential Service Coordinators, and Program Aides (as applicable) who are responsible for performing site operation duties.
A valid 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.
Ability to lift/support at least 30 lbs. as needed.
Ability to sit, stand, stoop and bend frequently.
Ability to sit and keyboard as needed.
Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.
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.
Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, businesses, and agencies.
Represent LifeMoves professionally and help educate partners about programs and services.
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 what you learn to your 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.
Ensure sites remain clean, safe, welcoming, and well-maintained for all.
Provide onsite guidance to team members, ensuring coordination of services and smooth implementation of program activities.
Support staff in developing and facilitating groups, workshops, and activities for clients.
Ensure the delivery of services in a professional, ethical and effective manner; ensure maintenance of a clean, safe, and supportive environment for clients and staff.
Meet program operations while maintaining program within budget.
Participate in administration and coordination of agency activities and programs via Program Director meetings.
Understand and implement all LifeMoves policies and procedures.
Be available on call for site emergencies.
Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and schedule staff; provide on-going leadership, guidance, and supervision regarding program and client issues; assess staff development and arrange for training.
Plan and ensure facilitation of staff meetings.
Supervise case management and management staff and, at times, provide direct services to clients.
Responsibilities include coordination of intakes, use of information and referral networks, and crisis management as needed.
Ensure development and facilitation of, workshops, and support groups as needed.
Hear client appeals/grievances.
Develop and implement annual program plan in collaboration with staff and the Associate VP of Programs & Services.
Develop appropriate program procedures, policies, and forms and ensure their implementation.
Develop and monitor an annual program budget.
Coordinate program development in the following areas: job development, follow-up program, donations, food services, volunteers and internship program, recreational activities for clients, and other areas as needed.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with area service providers, businesses, and community groups.
Train other social service agencies in our eligibility criteria and referral process.
Represent program to government, business, religious, civic, and community groups.
Educate the community about homelessness and the work of the program.
Develop and act as staff liaison to programs Support Committee.
Effectively interact with Board, volunteers, donors, and the surrounding community.
Collaborate with community groups to provide optimal services to clients.
Supervise the collection, compilation, and submission of all program statistics.
Submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to Administration.
Ensure that all required program reports are submitted in a timely fashion and that the program remains in compliance with all funding and legal requirements.
Maintain petty cash fund.
Participate in Directors Team meetings.
Attend Board Meetings as requested.
Participate in All-Staff Meetings, program open houses, fundraising events, other agency-wide functions, and other duties as assigned.