Director of Program Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Homeless Children’s Network 

Position Title: Director of Programs & Operations 

SALARY: $145,000 

SCHEDULE: Full-time position. Onsite/Hybrid 

BENEFITS: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance; Commuter stipend 

HOMELESS CHILDREN’S NETWORK MISSION STATEMENT 

Homeless Children’s Network’s (HCN) mission is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and
domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the
effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty. Since 1992, HCN has empowered San Francisco’s underserved and historically marginalized
communities citywide toward a brighter future with love, wholeness, and healing. 

About Homeless Children’s Network (HCN) 

Since 1992, HCN has been San Francisco’s leading nonprofit agency for comprehensive early
intervention and mental health support for underserved and historically marginalized children,
youth, and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or living in intergenerational poverty. Our mobile therapeutic model is both accessible and scalable, enabling clinicians to
meet clients directly in the community. As the hub of a Collaborative of 60+ service agencies
and community-based organizations, we serve over 2,500 clients each year, reaching those most
reluctant to trust conventional mental health systems. Central to our work is our Afri-centric
mental health and wellness model. This community-defined approach addresses health inequities
and the persistent cycle of racism and trauma over generations. This model not only uplifts the
Black/African American communities but also strengthens the behavioral health outcomes of all
San Franciscans, fostering resilience, healing, and lasting change.

 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Director of Program Operations is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational performance of Homeless Children's Network's clinical and community programs. This role
ensures that all programs consistently meet contractual deliverables, operational standards,
compliance requirements, and quality expectations. 

Working under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, COO & CPO, the Director of Program Operations partners closely with Program Directors and Clinical Supervisors to ensure
effective program implementation, operational consistency, strong staff performance, and measurable outcomes.

The Director serves as the operational leader for all program departments, translating
organizational priorities into efficient systems, accountability structures, and high-quality service delivery. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Executive Implementation & Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Serve as the operational bridge between the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief
  Program Officer (CPO), ensuring seamless coordination and implementation of executive
  priorities across programs, operations, finance, administration, and organizational
  systems. 
  
• Translate executive direction into actionable implementation plans and coordinate
  cross-functional efforts to ensure organizational priorities are executed effectively.

• Facilitate communication, collaboration, and accountability among Program Directors
  and operational leaders, and escalate issues appropriately to the COO, CPO, and/or CEO.

• Identify barriers to execution and proactively coordinate solutions to maintain
  organizational momentum. 
  
• Serve as the executive implementation partner, integrating operational, administrative,
  financial, and programmatic priorities into daily organizational practice. 
  
• Foster cross-departmental Program collaboration to strengthen communication,
  organizational alignment, and the execution of strategic initiatives. 

Program Operations Alignment 

• Oversee the operational coordination of HCN programs to ensure high-quality, efficient,
  and consistent service delivery. 
  
• Develop and implement systems that align program operations with organizational
  priorities established by executive leadership. 
  
• Coordinate cross-program collaboration to improve efficiency, communication, and client
  outcomes. 
  
• Support Program Directors in maintaining consistent operational practices across all
  programs. 
  
• Ensure programs maintain readiness for audits, monitoring visits, and contract
  compliance reviews. 
  
• Identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement, operational innovation, and
  systems enhancement. 
  

Contract Performance & Program Accountability 

• Lead a structured weekly contract and program performance review process with
  Program Directors to proactively monitor grant and contract deliverables. 
  
• Monitor program goals, objectives, contractual obligations, and organizational
  performance indicators to ensure successful execution. 
  
• Maintain organized systems to track program milestones, timelines, deliverables,
  performance metrics, and compliance requirements, enabling early risk identification and
  preventing implementation delays.
  
• Partner closely with the Chief Program Officer to ensure contract obligations, regulatory
  expectations, and organizational goals remain on track through proactive monitoring and
  continuous follow-up. 
  
• Support Program Directors in identifying implementation barriers, developing corrective
  action plans, and executing practical solutions to achieve contractual and organizational
  performance objectives. 
  
• Coordinate with Development and Grants teams to support grant implementation,
  reporting requirements, and operational deliverables. 
  
• Promote a culture of accountability through regular operational meetings, follow-up, and
  performance monitoring focused on measurable outcomes. 

Operational & Financial Partnership 

• Partner closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer to support
  operational planning, budgeting, financial monitoring, cost allocation, resource
  utilization, and organizational performance initiatives. 
  
• Coordinate operational systems and administrative processes that strengthen
  organizational efficiency and support strategic decision-making. 
  
• Assist in aligning financial considerations with operational execution across departments.

• Support responsible utilization of program resources while maintaining service quality
  and fiscal stewardship. 
  
• Assist in forecasting operational needs, staffing requirements, and resource allocation.

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while reducing unnecessary
  costs. 

Leadership & Team Alignment 

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and operational guidance to Program Directors
  and supervisory staff. 
  
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism, continuous learning,
  and operational excellence. 
  
• Support onboarding, leadership development, succession planning, and professional
  development initiatives for program leadership. 
  
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across departments while reinforcing
  organizational priorities and expectations. 
  
• Assist executive leadership in evaluating operational effectiveness and organizational
  performance. 

Compliance & Quality Assurance 

• Ensure all programs comply with funding requirements, regulatory standards,
  accreditation requirements, organizational policies, and ethical guidelines. 
  
• Monitor documentation practices and operational procedures to ensure consistency,
  quality, and regulatory compliance. 
  
• Partner with Quality Assurance, Compliance, Clinical Leadership, and Program
  Leadership to address operational deficiencies and implement sustainable improvements.
  
• Assist in implementing corrective action plans resulting from audits, monitoring
  activities, or compliance reviews. 
  
• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory requirements affecting behavioral health and
  nonprofit program operations. 

Risk Management 

• Identify operational risks affecting program performance, client services, regulatory
  compliance, or organizational operations. 
  
• Develop and implement strategies that minimize operational disruptions and strengthen
  organizational resilience. 
  
• Ensure incident reporting, documentation, and follow-up procedures are consistently
  implemented. 
  
• Promote a safe and supportive environment for clients, staff, and community partners. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Healthcare
  Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field required. 
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in
  nonprofit program operations, behavioral health, healthcare, or human services.
• Minimum of three (3) years in a senior leadership or director-level position.
• Experience overseeing multiple programs, contracts, and cross-functional initiatives.
  
• Experience working within publicly funded behavioral health, youth-serving, or
  community-based organizations strongly preferred. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Operational & Financial Acumen: Demonstrated understanding of nonprofit financial
   management, including budgeting, cost allocation, operational planning, financial reporting,
   resource stewardship, and collaboration with finance teams. 
   
2. Behavioral Health & Clinical Program Knowledge: Experience supporting behavioral health,
   mental health, youth-serving, or community-based clinical programs, with sufficient knowledge
   to engage confidently in discussions on program implementation, contract performance,
   regulatory requirements, and service delivery operations.
   
3. Systems Organization & Performance Management: Exceptional organizational and
   systems-thinking skills with demonstrated ability to develop structured processes for tracking
   complex projects, contract deliverables, organizational priorities, and cross-functional initiatives
   while maintaining accuracy and accountability. 
   
4. Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, influence
   cross-functional collaboration, build relationships across departments, and execute complex
   organizational initiatives. 
   
5. Results & Goal Orientation: Demonstrated ability to drive execution, maintain accountability,
   and foster a culture focused on measurable outcomes. Skilled at collaborating with leaders to
6. overcome barriers, develop practical solutions, and consistently achieve organizational goals and
   contractual obligations. 
   
7. Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical, organizational, and strategic thinking
   skills with the ability to evaluate performance data, identify trends, and develop innovative
   operational solutions. 
   
8. Cultural Competence: Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive leadership. 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Achievement of all program contractual deliverables and grant milestones.
  
• Weekly monitoring and timely completion of contract performance reviews.
• Achievement of organizational and program performance metrics.
  
• Timely completion of operational reports, regulatory reporting, and documentation.
• Program compliance with regulatory, funding, and accreditation requirements. 
• Improvement in cross-departmental collaboration and operational efficiency.
• Successful implementation of quality improvement and organizational initiatives. 
• Effective budget stewardship and resource utilization.
  
• Timely resolution of operational risks and barriers, with corrective actions. 
• Staff engagement, leadership development, and retention across program departments. 
• Successful execution of executive priorities as directed by the COO, CPO, and CEO. 

HCN’s Community Culture 

Of all the above important qualifications, bring the heartfelt quality of compassion, with exquisite cultural responsiveness as a primary guiding quality, not only of your professional life, but of what you hold dear. 

Please bring a strong analysis of how race, ethnicity, culture, language, region, poverty, sexual and gender identity, age, education, opportunities, and resources generationally made available or not, and systemic oppressions impact a person’s mental health. 

Please share stories from your own life about how you have been a mover and shaker in transforming these systems. 

Please accept that HCN is a vibrant community that has a legacy that is of interest to you, and is also prompted to grow steadily, and with the respect of what has been done well central in the conversation.