Director of Programs & Operations

Location: San Bernardino, CA
Reporting To: CEO & Executive Director
Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 plus benefits 
Priority Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
Start Date: November 2026

About NHSIE Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding homeownership opportunities, bridging the housing affordability gap, and building sustainable communities across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. 

Since 1981, NHSIE has helped low- to moderate-income families and first-time homebuyers access and maintain affordable housing through homebuyer education, financial coaching, lending, realty services, home rehabilitation, foreclosure intervention, and community building. At its core, NHSIE works to make homeownership a pathway to greater financial stability, generational wealth, and stronger communities.

About the Opportunity: Reporting to the CEO & Executive Director, the Director of Programs & Operations will lead the strategic direction and implementation of NHSIE’s programs, manage and develop the Programs & Operations team, strengthen systems for compliance and operational excellence, and deepen community partnerships and outreach to expand the reach and impact of NHSIE’s programs and services.

KEY PRIORITIES DURING YOUR FIRST YEAR

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

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Lead Program Direction, Strategy & Integration - 40%

• Lead the strategic direction and implementation of NHSIE’s programs and services across homeownership, housing counseling, lending, real estate, and related housing initiatives.
• Guide the program team in setting clear goals and benchmarks, translating priorities and opportunities into actionable plans and using data to strengthen programs and measure impact.
• Strengthen integration across programs and the client journey –identifying gaps and implementing enhancements that improve engagement, service delivery, and outcomes.

Manage & Develop the Programs & Operations Team - 30%

• Manage and develop a team of 9, fostering trust, collaboration, and open communication while creating the conditions for staff to build on their strengths, deepen their practice, and grow as leaders.
• Strengthen team structure and capacity, creating greater clarity around roles, responsibilities, and ownership across the organization.

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Drive Compliance & Operational Excellence - 20%

• Build clear, forward-looking systems for organizational, grant, and program compliance (e.g., licenses, certifications, registrations), creating shared visibility into requirements, timelines, deliverables, and ownership across the team.
• Lead the successful completion of NHSIE’s local, state, and federal compliance measures (e.g., CDBG, CAL Homes, HUD 2027 recertification, CDFI) while strengthening the systems and shared accountability needed to sustain compliance and audit readiness.
• Modernize NHSIE’s systems and workflows, moving key processes from paper to digital to streamline operations and increase the organization’s capacity to scale its programs.

Deepen Community Partnerships & Expand Program Reach - 10%

• Cultivate and steward community partnerships that deepen NHSIE’s connection to the communities it serves, strengthen its programs, and help the organization stay responsive to emerging community needs.

• Increase awareness of and engagement with NHSIE’s programs and services, strengthening program communications, marketing, and outreach to reach more families and connect them to available resources and pathways to homeownership.

WHO YOU ARE:

• You are deeply aligned with NHSIE’s mission. You believe in expanding access to homeownership and economic opportunity for families across the Inland Empire and understand the role housing and homeownership can play in building stability, wealth, and stronger communities..
• You are committed to community and service. You bring a genuine personal commitment to serving and strengthening communities, reflected in how you lead, engage, and show up beyond the walls of an organization. You value civic engagement and approach leadership with humility, service, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and communities NHSIE serves.
• You are a proactive, forward-thinking leader. You anticipate needs, identify gaps and opportunities, and think ahead about what the organization and its programs will need to be successful. You bring sound judgment and initiative to move priorities forward, while engaging others and creating opportunities for meaningful input along the way
• You are adaptable. You understand that nonprofit work is constantly evolving and are able to adjust as priorities, resources, and external conditions shift. You remain grounded and resourceful through change, helping your team adapt, stay focused, and move the work forward.
• You manage and develop leaders with care. You invest in developing staff at different stages of their careers through coaching, meaningful feedback, and opportunities to deepen their skills. You help people grow as leaders and take greater ownership of their work.
• You lead with empathy and build trusting relationships . You build trust across roles and lived experiences, leading with empathy, curiosity, and an equity-centered approach. You communicate openly, navigate difficult conversations with care, and create space for different perspectives.
• You bring a strong compliance and regulatory orientation. You understand what it takes to operate in a highly regulated nonprofit environment and bring the rigor and attention to detail needed to navigate complex requirements. You approach reporting, documentation, certifications, audits, and other compliance responsibilities with accuracy and discipline.
• You are committed to operational excellence . You bring a systems-oriented approach to how work gets done, creating processes that are clear, efficient, and sustainable. You are comfortable leveraging technology and rethinking workflows to streamline operations and strengthen coordination.
• You understand or are eager to learn the housing and homeownership landscape. You bring knowledge of housing, homeownership, lending, or related fields, or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn complex programmatic environments. You are curious and committed to developing the knowledge needed to understand the nuances of NHSIE’s work.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL: This role is based in San Bernardino, CA, with the team working in person Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays. The role includes some local travel to cultivate community partnerships and serve as an ambassador for NHSIE’s programs and work, as well as occasional national travel for conferences and other organizational needs.

COMPENSATION: $90,000–$110,000 annually, plus benefits. 

BENEFITS : NHSIE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution, and voluntary supplemental benefits. Employees also receive 13 paid holidays annually, plus vacation and sick time that begin accruing upon hire.

About Our Selection Process: Before you decide to apply, please review our Frequently Asked Questions ( here ). Our process includes three rounds, each offering opportunities for us to get to know one another:

• Round 1: Application submission and a one-way video interview ( take your interview ) due by Thursday, September 17, 2026. The Priority Deadline is Friday, September 11. This stage includes four interview questions ( access questions in advance ), which candidates complete on their own time.
• Round 2: A live, 60-minute interview via Zoom with the hiring committee. 
• Round 3: Final interviews with the two finalists, scheduled for the Week of October 26th at the NHSIE offices. 

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Don’t meet every qualification? Apply anyway. We recognize that strong candidates bring different experiences, backgrounds, and pathways to their work, and that no candidate will check every box. If you’re excited about this opportunity and believe you can contribute to the role and organization, we encourage you to apply. At Uproot Talent, we’re committed to creating equitable and inclusive search processes that recognize the many ways people build the skills and experience to lead. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.