Director of Program Operations

Director of Programs & Operations

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.

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.

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.

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

Homeless Children's Network