Director of Special Projects- 11-145 - SC/ OC - The Center for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI)

Mission Statement

­The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.  Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary

The Director of Special Projects (D-SP) works closely with the Managing Director to research, plan, implement, and liaison CARI special projects in Orange County in a manner consistent with The Salvation Army’s mission. The D-SP will also help review and source funding contracts between agencies, cities and The Salvation Army. This position will develop strategies to scale CARI’s unique program impact within the community. This position will bridge the gap between our high-impact social research and new program designs and the funding/partnership ecosystems (government, private sector, and foundations) that make them possible.

Salary Range: $100,000- 110,000

Essential Functions 

• Drive successful leadership, management, and execution of assigned short-term special projects(s), including those with a priority focus on the support and performance enhancement of the Anaheim Emergency Shelter.
• Revenue Diversification: Identify and secure non-traditional revenue streams, especially grants, fee-for-service models, government contracts, and social enterprise opportunities.
• Proposal Leadership: Lead the development of complex, multi-stakeholder proposals and pitches that articulate CARI’s unique value proposition and social impact.
• Strategic Alliance Building: Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with community stakeholders, policy makers, and corporate partners to create "win-win" collaborations.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor the social services landscape to identify emerging needs, legislative changes, and funding shifts that impact our mission.
• Mission Alignment: Ensure every new partnership or revenue stream is strictly aligned with our core values and programmatic integrity.
• Understand TSA policies and procedures and ensure compliance as required by TSA and local/federal agencies. Consult with CARI and Special Project sites to regularly review, create, and update Policies and Procedures as operational needs dictate.
• Represent, at the direction of the Managing Director, CARI and TSA in relevant coalitions, policy discussions, city and/or community meetings and advocacy settings to enhance TSA visibility and increase strategic collaborative opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to collect information needed to draft and finalize contracts involving social services programs and initiatives in OC, incorporating necessary terms and conditions to meet the needs of the organization and its clients.
• Conduct needs assessments when needed.
• Perform other assignments/duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to operate computer, fax, and telephone. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. 

Minimum Qualifications

By virtue of its direct contact with, and representation to people who engage in Salvation Army programs, people who demonstrate an understanding of The Salvation Army’s Christian mission are required for this position.

Education & Academic Foundation

• Advanced Degree: Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on social impact, or Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in administration/macro-practice preferred.
• Continuous Learning: Certifications in Social Impact Strategy, Project Management (PMP), or Human-Centered Design.

Professional Experience

• Strategic Growth Track Record: 7–10 years of experience in business development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or high-level nonprofit management. Should have a proven history of moving projects from "pilot" to "permanent."
• Cross-Sector Experience: Experience working across the "triple helix" —interacting with government agencies, private corporations, and the nonprofit sector.
• Innovation Leadership: Experience in an R&D or "Innovation Lab" environment where they have designed, tested, and scaled new service delivery models.
• Revenue Diversification: Specific experience in securing diverse funding streams beyond traditional grants, such as social impact bonds, fee-for-service contracts, or public-private partnerships.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Driving Test and clean MVR check (if applicable).
• If working in vicinity of children a criminal background check is required with certification for Protect the Mission policies and procedures.
• Must have ability to work with, direct, and relate well with co-workers, community partners/members, and guests/clients.
• Able to function and thrive in a fast-paced, frequently evolving environment.
• Excellent computer skills: must be able to utilize all necessary office equipment adequately (i.e. computers, copy machines, scanners, calculator, etc.).
• Excellent organizational skills; highly self-motivated and detail oriented.
• Must have outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional and courteous; excellent presentation skills

The "Specialized" Skill Set

• Financial Literacy: The ability to build complex pro forma financials for new programs. They need to understand the "true cost" of a service, including indirect costs and overhead.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Proficiency in using HCD principles to ensure that new business opportunities are actually solving a problem for the end-user (the client) rather than just filling a budget gap.
• Data Translation: The ability to take raw programmatic data and translate it into a compelling "Social Return on Investment" (SROI) narrative for stakeholders.
• Contract Negotiation: Deep familiarity with the legal and compliance nuances of government contracting and HIPAA (if applicable), as well as private sector service-level agreements (SLAs).

Soft Skills & Cultural Alignment

• The "Intrapreneur" Spirit: The ability to work within the constraints of a large organization while maintaining the agility and mindset of a startup founder.
• Ethical Discernment: A strong "moral compass" to identify potential "mission creep" early. They should be willing to walk away from a lucrative partnership if it compromises the dignity or privacy of the population being served.
• High EQ: The ability to lead change management internally, helping long-standing programmatic staff see the value of new, innovative business models without feeling threatened
• Meet all health and safety regulations as defined by the Health Department as well as The Salvation Army.
• Must be in good physical health and mental health, capable of meeting the demands of the position