Director of Programs

Title: Director of Programs

Department: Programs

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $110,000 - $125,000

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for Interfaith Works' portfolio of programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and other barriers to stability.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Programs is responsible for ensuring that IW programs are high-quality, financially responsible, contractually compliant, outcomes-driven, and aligned with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.

The Director of Programs provides leadership and supervision to the following staff: Director of Shelter Services, Director of Housing Services, Director of Essential Needs, Director of Vocational Services, HERC Program Manager, and other program leadership positions as assigned. The Director of Programs works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and leaders across Finance, Human Resources, Development, Operations, Advocacy, and Faith & Community Partnerships.

The position is responsible for creating consistency across programs while recognizing the distinct operational and contractual requirements of each service area. The Director of Programs ensures that program leaders have clear expectations, appropriate resources, strong accountability systems, and the support necessary to deliver excellent services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership and Strategy

• Provide executive-level leadership and oversight for IW's program portfolio, including Shelter Services, Housing Services, Essential Needs, Vocational Services, HERC, and other programs assigned to the department.
• Translate IW's strategic priorities into measurable program goals, operational plans, and performance expectations.
• Establish consistent standards for program operations, service delivery, documentation, communication, and accountability.
• Evaluate existing programs for effectiveness, sustainability, contractual alignment, and community impact.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen, redesign, expand, consolidate, or discontinue programs based on performance, funding, community need, and organizational capacity.
• Ensure programs operate as an integrated system rather than as independent service silos.
• The Director of Programs is accountable for ensuring program leaders effectively supervise their respective teams and programs rather than routinely bypassing established reporting relationships.

Program Operations and Quality

• Oversee program operations to ensure safe, efficient, and consistent service delivery.
• Establish performance expectations, dashboards, and accountability measures.
• Monitor key operational, financial, staffing, compliance, and client outcome indicators.
• Conduct routine program reviews and site visits to identify risks and needed improvements.
• Ensure effective policies, procedures, workflows, and corrective actions are in place.
• Promote trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, and dignity-centered services.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Directly supervise and develop program service-line Directors and other assigned program leaders.
• Establish clear goals, deliverables, and performance expectations for each member of the program leadership team.
• Hold program leaders accountable for program operations, staffing, budgets, outcomes, and compliance.
• Conduct regular individual and program leadership meetings.
• Coach leaders in decision-making, employee management, conflict resolution, communication, and operational problem-solving.
• Build leadership capacity throughout the Programs division and identify opportunities for internal advancement.
• Promote a culture of accountability in which concerns are identified early, addressed directly, and followed through to resolution.

Financial and Contract Management

• Monitor program budgets, staffing costs, overtime, purchasing, and other key financial drivers.
• Hold program leaders accountable for responsible budget management.
• Monitor contracts and grants for compliance with approved services, staffing, expenditures, and deliverables.
• Partner with Finance and Development to address funding gaps and sustainability concerns.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, contract renewals, resource allocation, and funding proposals.

Compliance, Performance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with contracts, grants, IW policies, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor program documentation, data quality, reporting requirements, and corrective actions.
• Maintain program readiness for audits, monitoring visits, licensing reviews, and other external assessments.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Partner with Finance, HR, Development, Operations, Advocacy, and Faith & Community Partnerships to support effective program delivery.
• Coordinate staffing, funding, facilities, safety, transportation, technology, procurement, volunteers, and community partnerships.
• Communicate program needs, outcomes, risks, and priorities across departments.
• Support organizational initiatives and priorities assigned by the CEO.

External Relationships

• Represent Interfaith Works with Montgomery County and other government agencies, community partners, funders, service providers, coalitions, and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Develop strong working relationships with public and private partners serving individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity.
• Participate in relevant committees, workgroups, provider meetings, and community initiatives.
• Support the CEO in maintaining strong relationships with government partners and funders.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships that improve client outcomes or expand IW's impact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, psychology, sociology, or a related field required. Master's degree in social work, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, or a related discipline strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in human services, homelessness services, housing, behavioral health, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, including experience supervising managers or senior-level staff.
• Demonstrated experience with government contracts, grants, budgets, program compliance, and performance management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation 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 or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

BENEFITS

Interfaith Works offers a comprehensive benefits package for its employees. Employees receive 14 paid holidays and 21 days of PTO. Benefits for full-time employees, those who work 30 hours per week or more, include access to subsidized medical, dental, and vision costs for employees and their families; employer paid long-term disability insurance as well as life and AD&D insurance. Employees have the option to purchase supplemental benefits that are fully portable, including short-term disability insurance, critical illness insurance, and more. All employees regardless of full or part time status have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost to them.

 NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit a resume with their application to be considered. Applicants must apply through our Careers Page. Please send any questions about the application process to hr@iworksmc.org. 

Interfaith Works is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a continued focus on equitable hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We are a drug free workplace and comply with ADA regulations, as applicable.