Temporary Program Director

SHIFT:Full-time leadership role supporting a site.The schedule will vary based on program needs and includes availability for evenings and holidays, to ensure consistent program oversight. Additional hours or shifts may be required as operational and staffing needs demand.

**The Temporary Program Director assignment will be available fromAugust 31 through December 31, 2026.**

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 | 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.

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.

Program Operations, Compliance, and Quality

• 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.

Essential Functions:

• Administration: 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
• Staff Supervision: 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
• Case Management: 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
• Program Development: 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
• Community Relations: 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
• Record Keeping: 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.
• General Duties: 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.

Physical Activity Requirements:

• 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

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational 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. 
• Technology: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.
• Direct Service Experience:Minimum of three years in a leadership role within human or social services, supporting vulnerable populations. 

Service Level Qualifications 

• Care, Respect, Empathy:Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and respect for all individuals.Emotional Regulation:Stays calm and supportive in stressful situations and uses de-escalation skills.Growth Mindset:Open to feedback and training in trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and client-centered care.Team & Independence:Works well independently and collaboratively.Documentation:Maintains clear documentation and organization.Organization/Prioritization:Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.Lived experience is valued.

Care Team Level Qualifications: 

• 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. 

Program Management Level Qualifications: 

• 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. 
• Public Speaking:Comfortable presenting to internal and external audiences (preferred). 
• 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. 

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. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Contingent Upon: 

• Satisfactory results of a background check
• Satisfactory results of a DMV Motor Vehicle Record Check
• Valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and current vehicle insurance
• Proof of clear TB test dated within 60 days of hire

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• On-site, in-person working requirements:Onsite
• Supervisory Responsibilities:None
• Travel: This role may include small amounts of travel to trainings and admin events
• Physical Demands: Duties may require sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching, reading, using computers or other equipment, communicating and exchanging information with others, and lifting or moving up to 25 lbs. LifeMoves provides reasonable accommodations to support performance of essential job functions, as required by law. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities: LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from all backgrounds, including bilingual, bi-cultural, BIPOC, Native and/or Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, and disabled applicants are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process. 

This job description may be updated at any time to reflect changing organizational needs.