Senior Director, Programs

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Programs plays an integral role within the senior leadership team for the Programs Department and for the organization as a whole, with an emphasis on providing supervision for the Programs Directors and clinical support for the Programs Department. In collaboration with the Chief Program Officer (CPO), the Senior Director is a key contributor to the implementation of best practices and capacity building for the Programs Department at Union Station Homeless Services (USHS). The Senior Director is responsible for supporting the growth and development of the Programs Department, including strategic planning, partnership building, and active involvement in the contract monitoring and budget planning process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides clinical support and oversight for the Programs Department, including the direct supervision of the Programs Directors and the Training & Clinical Support team.
• Identifies and cultivates program development and capacity building opportunities; identifies service gaps and designs effective, viable, and culturally competent programs using evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Establishes and evaluates training curriculum to ensure that staff are adequately prepared to provide services in a way that promotes best practices, quality service delivery, and effective crisis management.
• Provides clinical consultation support to the Programs Department through case conferencing, staff development, and the After Hours Crisis Support Line.
• Works alongside CPO to establish internal monitoring protocols and evaluation measures, ensuring contract compliance, positive outcomes, and participant satisfaction.
• Partners with CPO on the development and management of annual program budgets with justifications for review by CEO, CFO and Board of Directors. Works with Programs Leadership Team to ensure programs and services are administered within the annual budget.
• Supports the Programs Leadership Team in building and nurturing partnerships with system stakeholders to ensure that the Coordinated Entry System in the San Gabriel Valley is accessible and equitable for people experiencing homelessness.
• Acts as a representative of USHS to county and city departments, elected officials, and system stakeholders in the building and maintenance of strategic partnerships and coalitions to develop policy, sustain key activities, and identify future programs and funds.
• Collaborates with CPO and Grant Writer on program proposals including, but not limited to, program design, program outcomes, program staffing, and program budgets.
• Ensures that staff understand and are in compliance with all policies and procedures that govern program administration including the Union Station Code of Professional Ethics, HIPAA and Confidentiality, and the philosophies and service modalities that USHS adheres to (e.g. Housing First, Harm Reduction, and trauma-informed care).
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and city standards/regulations and contractual requirements of partner agencies.
• May be called upon to represent USHS at community/public meetings and on local boards, councils and committees that are working to address homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley.
• May be asked to provide clinical supervision for interns and staff working towards licensure.
• Promotes and ensures employee and participant wellness and safety.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office-based work in a temperature-controlled environment, with required travel to off-site meetings, partner locations, or program sites.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, move within office and meeting environments, and use standard office equipment.
• Requires sustained mental focus, analytical reasoning, and the ability to exercise sound judgment in complex and time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey information, provide direction, and engage with staff, leadership, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational demands.
• Requires the ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret qualitative and quantitative information to support decision-making.
• Requires regular use of a computer and standard office software for extended periods of time.
• May require exposure to sensitive or confidential information and participation in discussions involving complex or sensitive personnel, client, or compliance matters.
• Ability to travel locally as required to fulfill job responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of evidence-based service delivery models proven to be successful for people experiencing homelessness and/or complex substance use and mental health conditions, and ability to provide effective operational oversight and program evaluation.
• Knowledge of applicable labor standards, regulatory requirements, and contractual or grant-funded program obligations related to the homeless services and housing sector.
• Ability to provide leadership, direction, and oversight to programmatic and/or supervisory staff.
• Ability to analyze operational, financial, and performance data and apply judgment to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and funding requirements and ensure consistent application across assigned areas.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal form, including preparation of reports, recommendations, and executive-level correspondence.
• Ability to engage, coach, and hold staff accountable with composure and professionalism, including the capacity to address performance concerns, deliver corrective feedback, and support employee development in complex or high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency in the use of office productivity software and data systems to support analysis, reporting, and operational oversight.
• Ability to work independently within delegated authority and collaboratively across functions and departments.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Option I: Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or closely related field and five years of progressively responsible experience supervising programs, operations, or functional areas within a human services or related environment. Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Option II: Seven years of experience in progressively responsible roles providing professional social or human services work, five years of which must have included supervising programs, operations, or functional areas within a human services or related environment.
• License strongly preferred (LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Clinical Psychologist). Ideally licensed in CA for a minimum of 2 years in order to provide clinical supervision. If licensed, license must be current and in compliance with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Monday - Friday

40hrs/week, Full Time, Exempt