Senior Director of Programs

Job Opportunity: Senior Director of Programs

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties)
Organization: The Arc San Francisco
Reports To: Executive Director
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About The Arc San Francisco

The Arc San Francisco is a non-profit service and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties. 

Our mission is to partner with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they design their futures and transform our communities through lifelong learning and self-determination. We offer a wide range of services that touch every aspect of adult life, including independent living supports, skills building, employment training, and creative expression. 

As a committed community partner, we believe in the power of educational outreach, business partnerships, and being a reliable resource for families, supporters, public policy makers, and all those who share our vision of fostering a more informed, diverse, and inclusive society.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Programs is a mission-driven and detail-oriented leader responsible for ensuring program innovation, fidelity, and financial stewardship across The Arc San Francisco’s largest program portfolio. This leader will oversee strategy, systems, and operations for lifelong learning and case management services while building strong partnerships and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and excellence.

This role requires a strong presence with staff and participants, an ability to partner across departments and with funders, and a commitment to building programming to sustain impact and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Presence

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, organizational vision, and executive level decision-making.
• Represent The Arc with presence and professionalism with persons served, community members, partners and funders.
• Partner with the Executive Director and leadership team to ensure program goals align with organizational priorities and compliance standards.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader across all sites, modeling accountability, respect, and collaboration.
• Lead a team of directors and associate directors to create and scale responsive programing aligned with strategic goals.

Program Oversight, Compliance & Fidelity

• Lead team of associate directors overseeing day-to-day operations of Lifelong Learning and Case Management programs across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties.
• Ensure strict compliance with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), regional centers, and other public/private funding regulations.
• Monitor program fidelity to ensure person-centered, culturally responsive, and evidence-based practices are consistently implemented.
• Monitor and revise quality assurance systems to track participant outcomes, service delivery standards, and regulatory benchmarks.
• Develop corrective action plans when compliance or fidelity gaps are identified, ensuring swift resolution.

Financial Management & Budget Accountability

• Manage a program budget of $10M+, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational goals.
• Partner with the Finance team to monitor enrollment, track program revenue, and forecast financial needs.
• Pursue and steward new revenue opportunities through partnerships, grants, and program expansion initiatives.

Team Leadership & Communication

• Lead, coach, and support a team of program directors, educators, and frontline staff, fostering professional growth and high performance.
• Establish clear communication systems that ensure staff receive timely, consistent updates on policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, feedback, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with staff, participants, and families to ensure services reflect the needs and voices of those we serve.

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Refine systems for program evaluation, data collection, and impact measurement.
• Partner with IT and operations teams to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
• Use data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and drive program innovation.
• Ensure systems and processes support long-term program sustainability and scalability.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Experience

• 5 + years in senior leadership roles within nonprofit, education, public health, or disability services.
• Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar budgets and complex, multi-site programs.
• Strong track record of ensuring program quality and innovation.

Expertise

• Deep familiarity with DDS, regional centers, or similar public funding systems.
• Strong understanding of person-centered planning, equity, and program evaluation.

Education

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Education, Nonprofit Administration, or related field (preferred).

Leadership Style

• Strategic and systems-focused, with a collaborative and transparent approach.
• Grounded in equity, inclusion, and communication.
• Skilled at building partnerships, strengthening processes, and ensuring accountability.

Bonus

• Lived experience within the disability community.
• Interest in long-term executive leadership.

Work Environment

This position is primarily located at 1500 Howard Street, San Francisco. Some work time will be spent at The Arc San Francisco satellite sites in Burlingame, CA and Marin, CA, and in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area with organizational partners.

Physical Demands

Repetitive keyboard use; phone use, walking, standing, bending, stooping, and direct client and staff interaction. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Arc San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirement of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. 

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume sharing your related experience by following this link: Senior Director of Programs