Program Director

Job description

Position Summary
The Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for assigned programs at Family Service Center of Galveston County (FSC). This position is responsible for ensuring programs operate effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with FSC's mission, organizational goals, contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and established standards of care.
The Program Director provides oversight of program operations, staff performance, service delivery, documentation, data integrity, quality assurance, community partnerships, and program development. This position works collaboratively with executive leadership, clinical leadership, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and other departments to ensure programs meet established performance expectations and provide high-quality, client-centered services.
The Program Director is responsible for monitoring program performance, identifying operational or compliance concerns, implementing corrective actions when necessary, and promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, organizational, communication, problem-solving, and program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a strong focus on FSC's clients, staff, and mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Program Leadership & Operations
• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for assigned FSC programs.
• Ensure program operations are aligned with FSC's mission, strategic priorities, policies, procedures, and organizational goals.
• Develop and implement program goals, objectives, workflows, and operational procedures.
• Monitor program activities to ensure services are delivered consistently, effectively, and in accordance with established standards.
• Ensure programs maintain appropriate staffing, coverage, resources, and operational support.
• Monitor program effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve service delivery, efficiency, and client outcomes.
• Develop and maintain systems that promote accountability, consistency, and effective communication.
• Serve as a key resource for staff regarding program operations, expectations, policies, and procedures.
• Identify operational challenges and work collaboratively with leadership to develop timely solutions.
• Ensure program records, reports, and documentation are accurate, complete, timely, and organized.

2. Program Compliance, Documentation & Reporting
• Ensure assigned programs comply with applicable federal, state, local, contractual, funding, licensing, regulatory, and FSC requirements.
• Monitor compliance with program standards, service requirements, documentation expectations, and reporting deadlines.
• Maintain awareness of changes in applicable laws, regulations, contracts, funding requirements, and professional standards.
• Communicate relevant changes and expectations to staff and leadership.
• Oversee required program reports and submissions to ensure they are accurate, complete, and timely.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready program records and documentation.
• Coordinate responses to funders, regulatory agencies, auditors, monitors, and other external stakeholders as applicable.
• Prepare for and participate in program reviews, audits, monitoring visits, and other compliance activities.
• Identify compliance concerns and implement corrective action plans when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of client, employee, financial, and program information.

3. Data Management, Performance & Quality Assurance
• Establish and monitor program performance measures and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Review program data regularly to evaluate service delivery, productivity, outcomes, utilization, referrals, and other applicable measures.
• Ensure program data is accurate, complete, timely, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Monitor trends, identify performance gaps, and develop strategies for improvement.
• Conduct routine quality assurance reviews of program records, documentation, data, and operational processes.
• Develop and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Track corrective actions through completion and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Partner with appropriate departments to resolve data, reporting, billing, documentation, or operational discrepancies.
• Promote evidence-informed and client-centered practices that support quality outcomes.
• Use data and stakeholder feedback to guide program planning and decision-making.

4. Staff Leadership & Development
• Supervise, lead, and support program staff in accordance with FSC policies and supervisory expectations.
• Establish clear expectations regarding job performance, service delivery, documentation, productivity, professionalism, and compliance.
• Provide regular coaching, feedback, supervision, and performance guidance.
• Conduct or participate in employee evaluations and performance management processes.
• Address performance concerns promptly and in collaboration with Human
Resources and appropriate leadership.
• Identify staff training and professional development needs.
• Coordinate and support training related to program requirements, documentation, confidentiality, client care, compliance, and professional standards.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professional development, and effective communication.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of qualified staff in collaboration with Human Resources and leadership.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and coverage to meet program and client needs.
• Foster a positive, respectful, inclusive, and supportive work environment.

5. Budget & Fiscal Oversight
• Monitor program expenditures in collaboration with Finance to ensure responsible use of organizational and program resources.
• Participate in program budget development, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Monitor spending and identify potential budget variances or financial concerns.
• Review invoices, expenses, and financial documentation related to assigned programs as appropriate.
• Communicate financial concerns, anticipated needs, or resource limitations to leadership and Finance.
• Promote responsible stewardship of FSC resources.

6. Community Partnerships & Collaboration
• Represent FSC at community meetings, professional meetings, coalition meetings, events, and other stakeholder activities.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, referral sources, schools, healthcare providers, funders, and other partners as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and monitor MOUs, agreements, partnerships, and subcontractor relationships as assigned.
• Ensure external partnerships clearly define responsibilities, expectations, communication processes, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Monitor partner performance and address concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen referral networks, community engagement, and access to FSC services.

7. Program Development & Strategic Planning
• Participate in organizational strategic planning and program development initiatives.
• Identify emerging community needs and opportunities for new or expanded services.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and evaluating new programs, services, and initiatives.
• Support program expansion and organizational initiatives that align with FSC's mission and strategic priorities.

Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Administration, Human Services, Business Administration, Behavioral Health, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, behavioral health, social services, healthcare, nonprofit services, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory, program management, or administrative leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs, contracts, grants, or community-based services.
• Experience with compliance monitoring, reporting, quality assurance, and performance management preferred.

Required Knowledge & Skills
• Strong knowledge of program management, operational planning, and service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs, staff, budgets, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Strong understanding of compliance, documentation, reporting, and quality assurance processes.
• Strong data management and analytical skills, including the ability to identify trends, discrepancies, and performance gaps.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHRs), data management systems, and reporting platforms.
• Ability to interpret contracts, policies, regulations, program standards, and organizational procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication and collaboration with executive leadership and internal departments.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Administration, Behavioral Health, or a related field.
• Current Texas clinical license or license eligibility, such as LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or related credential, when applicable to the assigned program.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience working in behavioral health, mental health, social services, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience managing grant-funded or contract-funded programs.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with program audits, monitoring reviews, corrective action plans, or contract compliance.
• Experience with trauma-informed, client-centered, or evidence-informed service models.