Program Director

ABOUT LIFEMOVES

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 | New Haven Inn (NHI) provides interim supportive housing in San Jose to 20 individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. 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 New Haven Inn Program Director reports to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing and provides oversight, support and resources to staff across all shifts (day, swing, and overnight) operating within 24/7 program sites. 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 New Haven Inn 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. 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.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure program services are safe, trauma-informed, welcoming, and effective while maintaining clean and well-managed 24/7 sites.
• Conduct regular safety checks and ensure that all facilities meet organizational and regulatory safety standards.
• Support staff in implementing de-escalation techniques, crisis prevention, and emergency response procedures to promote a secure environment for clients and team members.
• Partner with leadership to identify safety concerns, address risks proactively, and implement corrective actions promptly.
• Oversee daily operations, budgeting, data tracking, and program administration in partnership with leadership.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and mentoring to staff using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices to build a positive and supportive team culture.
• Lead team and client meetings, ensure consistent communication, and manage hiring, scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure all staff complete required trainings, including CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and other mandated learning modules.
• Develop and support ongoing training plans to strengthen staff skills in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, crisis response, and professional boundaries.
• Provide direct client support to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency, maintaining a small caseload as needed.
• Oversee staff documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance, and accountability.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, businesses, and government agencies while representing LifeMoves professionally.
• Ensure program compliance with HUD, Fair Housing, and other regulatory standards, and support audits, data collection, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with staff and leadership to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and program innovation.
• Promote an inclusive environment that affirms and supports LGBTQ+ clients and staff, ensuring equitable access to services and fostering belonging.
• Participate in agency meetings, initiatives, trainings, and events while completing all required and ongoing learning requirements.
• Attend continuing education opportunities to strengthen professional skills and uphold agency standards.
• Be available for occasional evening and weekend work and perform additional duties as needed to support organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required, or an Associate’s degree with 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in human or social services, housing, or community outreach.
• Demonstrates care, respect, and empathy when working with people from all backgrounds, practicing DEIB principles and radical hospitality.
• Maintains composure and professionalism under pressure, using de-escalation and trauma-informed techniques to ensure safety.
• Open to feedback with a strong growth mindset; continuously learning about trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and harm-reduction practices.
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team, with clear communication and accountability.
• Produces clear, unbiased, and professional documentation and communication.
• Demonstrates strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize tasks for smooth program operations.
• Proficient in technology tools such as Microsoft Office, databases, and case management systems for tracking and reporting outcomes.
• Advocates for clients to access benefits, navigate systems, and ensure equitable treatment across agencies.
• Builds and maintains effective partnerships with community organizations, housing providers, and service agencies to enhance client support.
• Responds effectively to crises, using trauma-informed approaches and strong judgment to support both clients and staff.
• Provides leadership and supervision with professionalism and healthy boundaries, promoting self-awareness, self-care, and sustainability.
• Demonstrates knowledge of budgeting, contract deliverables, and performance metrics to support compliance and operational success.
• Models LifeMoves’ mission and values through inclusive leadership, forward thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership and Supervision: Guides, supports, and motivates team members to achieve goals. 
• Effective Communication: Effectively communicates professionally and appropriately, based upon the audience and circumstances. Communicates facts, ideas, and emotions effectively. Provides and responds to feedback maturely. Mentors and supports team members' career growth and skill development. 
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Demonstrates sound judgment by analyzing challenges, identifying root causes, and developing effective solutions. Balances short-term needs with long-term impact, involves the right stakeholders, and makes timely decisions that align with organizational priorities and values. 
• Time Management and Reliability: Identifies team talent needs and prepares employees for future leadership roles. Identifies team talent needs and prepares employees for future leadership roles. 
• Drives Organizational Culture: Building performance and potential by setting performance objectives, providing regular coaching and feedback, creating a learning environment, driving for results, tracking and evaluating performance, and creating relevant performance development plans with others Client and Stakeholder 
• Focus: Ensures teams deliver quality service to internal and external stakeholders  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role provides supervision to Care Team Staff (as applicable: case managers, specialists: housing, employment, benefit, children service coordinators, licensed vocational nurses) and supervision of Operations & Services Staff (as applicable: Residential Service Coordinators, Resident Mangers, and Program Aides) who are responsible for performing site operation duties.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires regular travel between agency sites, community partner locations, client service events, and internal and external meetings.
• 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.
• Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with agency policy.
• Occasional evenings or weekend travel may be required to attend community events or support client services. Must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law and agency policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with others in the workplace. The employee must frequently use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.