Program Director - Social Service jobs in the United States

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is a dynamic social service organization serving children, youth and families, people with disabilities, older adults, and military veterans. Trustworthiness is a value and strength shared by our employees and recognized by the communities we serve. We offer an ALIVE Workplace (Supportive, Positive and Fun) and careers that challenge, energize, and reward employees.

Job Summary:

Manage the daily affairs and overall program operations for two early learning centers in St. Paul that serve low-income children aged 2-5 who have experienced trauma and face significant risk factors. Classrooms provide a mix of early education, social-emotional learning, and positive behavioral support. Complementary services include speech and occupational therapy and referrals for mental health. The sites are licensed child care centers that serve 20-30 children each. The Program Director is responsible for operations & financial management of a $1.6 million budget, managing Early Learning Scholarship awards, oversight of 15 staff, compliance with childcare licensing & accreditation, meeting reporting requirements, and strategic planning to ensure adequate resources for programming.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

Program Operations Management – 40%

• Oversee program quality, outcomes, staff training and best practice.
• Ensure that systems are in place to track attendance, program outcomes, and information needed by funders.
• Ensure compliance with DHS licensing, NAEYC accreditation, and Parent Aware Quality Rating for both sites.
• Responsible for writing and overseeing government contracts (State, Federal, County) for new and ongoing funding.
• Market programs to funders as well as individuals that need the services.
• Work with other Directors from LSS to promote Youth & Family Services.
• Increase integration with other LSS services, including LSS Behavioral Health.
• Work with donors as well as build relationships with donors who are supportive of services.
• Develop funding by helping write grants for the programs and by monitoring federal, state, city, foundation RFPs, as well as advocate for additional funding streams.

Financial Management – 30%

• Oversee monthly invoicing process for Early Learning Scholarships and other billable revenue.
• Develop grant budgets and annual operating budgets with managers and monitor expenses.
• Meet monthly with business manager to match expenses to grants from state, federal, and foundations.
• Complete monthly, quarterly and year end programmatic and financial reports for all funding sources.

Long-term strategic planning – 10%

• Participate in the Youth and Family Services Leadership Team.
• Assist in ongoing evaluation of all LSS Youth & Family programs for relationship to LSS Strategic Initiatives, effectiveness, need, growth potential and financial viability.
• Develop and implement Youth & Family vision and strategic plan for 1 to 3 years.
• Develop programs to complement and integrate with existing programs in the community.

Personnel Management – 10%

• Hire and supervise staff, and navigate personnel issues in consultation with HR.
• Provide regular supervisory meetings with staff from various programs.
• Provide supervision, monitor performance, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Affirm and increase diversity; uphold and advance the LSS Anti-Racism Policy

Public Relations/Networking/Liaison – 10%

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with local government, community leaders, corporate representatives, congregations, county social service personnel, etc. to assess needs and implement programs.
• Negotiate with County and/or state for new contracts and renewal.
• Attend required funder and organizational meetings.
• Represent LSS by actively participating in committees and encouraged to seek leadership roles (i.e. chair, co-chair, secretary).
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Master's degree in Early Education, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience as a manager or supervisor.
• Knowledge regarding low-income populations and early learning scholarships strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing skills as well as the ability to speak publicly to promote the services.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills required.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of all people regardless of gender, race, culture, religion, ethnicity, protected veteran status and/or disability. We actively foster an environment that is free of racism, discrimination, bias, and harassment where all individuals are treated with dignity, safety, and respect.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)