Program Director

Job Details Job Location : Opportunity Services Center - Palo Alto, CA Salary Range : $82000.00 - $115000.00 Salary / year Description

BOUT 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 | Palo Alto Outreach programs include

1)The Opportunity Services Center (OSC), which provides drop-in services for single adults including food, clothing, laundry / shower facilities, and case management

2)Hotel de Zink (HdZ), which is an emergency program for individual adults that alternates locations through congregations in Palo Alto, and will be sunsetting in early 2026.

3) Palo Alto Outreach, which provides outreach services to individuals as well as education and support to businesses.

The OSC Program Director reports to the Director of Outreach and provides oversight to staff in the field at the OSC, HdZ, and Palo Alto Outreach. 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 OSC 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.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Operations, Compliance, and Quality

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.

Leadership and Supervision

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.

Community and Stakeholder Partnerships

Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, businesses, and agencies.

Represent LifeMoves professionally and help educate partners about programs and services.

General Agency Responsibilities

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in a related field required; or an Associate's Degree with 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in a related field such as peer advocacy, community outreach, housing services, or homelessness services.

Comfortable using technology including phone and messaging systems, email, Microsoft and Google Suites, databases, case management tools, reporting / tracking systems, 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.

Maintains clear documentation and organization.

Organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive.

Advocates effectively across systems to secure client benefits and resources.

Identifies and connects clients to housing, employment, health, and social supports.

Builds collaborative relationships with partners and providers to strengthen client outcomes.

Responds calmly and effectively to crises using trauma‑informed and de‑escalation strategies.

Maintains and models healthy, professional boundaries; emphasizes self‑awareness and self‑care; coaches staff on recognizing and addressing boundary issues.

Familiar with harm reduction, Mental Health First Aid, and other relevant best‑practice approaches.

Models agency values, program philosophy, and mission‑aligned behaviors.

Confident in leading group discussions or workshops to promote learning, collaboration, and positive group dynamics.

Maintains a safe, clean, and well‑functioning facility and identifies / address safety or maintenance needs.

Minimum of two years of supervisory experience supporting staff or volunteers in human services or a related setting.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of budgeting processes and resource allocation to support program operations.

Understands and can monitor basic contract requirements to ensure program activities meet funder expectations.

Anticipates program needs and future changes to improve efficiency and service delivery.

COMPETENCIES

• Executive Disposition : 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.
• Workforce Planning and Succession : Translates strategy into action, ensuring efficient and effective implementation. Establishes clear goals, tracks progress and holds teams accountable for results.
• Championing the Vision : 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.
• Financial Management : Manages budgets, expenses, and resources responsibly to meet financial targets.
• Conflict Resolution and Risk Management : Navigates workplace challenges and resolves conflicts constructively. Proactively identifies risks and develops strategies to mitigate issues.
• Leading Organizational Culture : Fosters an inclusive, equitable, and motivating team environment by modeling values, addressing issues, and translating cultural goals into daily practices.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role provides supervision to Case Managers, Specialists (as applicable : housing, employment, benefit, children service coordinators, licensed vocational nurses) and supervision of Residential Service Coordinators, Resident Mangers, and Program Aides (as applicable) who are responsible for performing site operation duties.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

A valid [State] 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 evening 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.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.

LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non‑disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non‑membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non‑merit‑based factor. Candidates who are bilingual / bi‑cultural, of color, Native / Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are members of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to create and sustain inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LifeMoves. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.

If you require a disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (650) 685-5880.

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