Director of Program Services

Job Description

Job Description

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving impact across communities? Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Program Services to lead large-scale, multi-faceted programs that transform lives across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

The Director of Program Services is a generalist, accountable for providing leadership and oversight of day-to-day responsibilities for large, complex, and/or multiple program operations, supporting the mission of Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI (LSS). In addition, they have direct responsibility for all relationships and connections to the multiple stakeholders that are important to the programs they support. This role’s scope is limited to the current state of program services and delivering on the goals set forth by the Organization and Senior Management. Qualified applicants must reside in Wisconsin for payroll purposes.

The Director of Program Services is responsible for providing efficient and effective operational oversight and direction for the platform’s financial operations and ensuring the timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, legislative / policy / funding changes, and financial trends. Oversight and direction will be performed within the parameters of LSS Standards and procedures, while creating like-program consistency across the state. The Director of Program Services will collaborate with the various system specialists to ensure system alignment around implementation of services.

The incumbent will work with purchasers of service to create and execute a plan to deliver the LSS mission through a myriad of services throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan while maintaining sound and efficient operating practices. The Director of Program Services will function as the primary relationship builder with purchasers. Incumbent will work collaboratively with our payers to understand their needs and in turn, recommend service provision that aligns with their needs. 

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

1.      Leadership —provides oversight and mentorship to colleagues and ensures that the mission and core values of the organization are put into practice in all aspects of day-to-day operations. Apply and evaluate standards for program practices, behavior, and performance. Ability to take ownership and drive activities to completion. Supports and models the Vision, Mission, and Values of LSS. 

2.      Stakeholder Relations —Responsible for creating and sustaining sound, open relationships with major stakeholders including federal, state, city, and county governments; congregations; communities. Opens lines of communication, sets clear expectations and works to answer questions and resolve disputes. Become a partner of choice.

3.      Development and Implementation of Strategic Plan —in partnership with the Executive Team, develop the strategic and operating plans for the platform. Report regularly to the Vice President on progress, course corrections and countermeasures.

4.      Business Acumen and Financial Soundness —Understands the purchasers of LSS services. Makes intelligent timely business decisions through analysis and calculated risk taking.  Understands the P&L and balance sheet and ensures the financial health of their program oversight by employing appliable service knowledge, sound fiscal controls and management and by effectively integrating and managing the organization’s resources. Partners with the Vice President to provide clear, concise, and timely reporting. Responsible for creating and executing remedies for financial challenges.

5.      Business Development —Partners with the Business Development function to recognize and evaluate growth opportunities. Create sound, well-analyzed proposals for expanding the types and reach of LSS programs; create opportunities to establish sustainable services rather than one-time initiatives.

6.      Service Delivery and Operations —Responsible for the oversight and delivery of services within the scope of their oversight:  Sets expectations, evaluates, mentors, and holds accountable all direct reports, reviews structure and staffing to ensure efficient delivery of exceptional service.

7.      Business Services —Partners with all Business Services functions within LSS to ensure that Business Services is aligned with platform needs to utilize organization data, drive efficiency, value, consistency, and cost savings in support of the platform and ultimately the clients served by LSS.

8.      Change Management – Recognizes the need for consistent change. Able to quickly and effectively marshal the resources needed to execute change while helping all stakeholders (internal and external) understand and navigate the change.

9.      Talent Management – Develops and executes an effective talent management strategy to support planned growth, new program implementation, and program divestiture. Manages, leads, and develops a team that is knowledgeable about current strategies, opportunities and expected outcomes. Hold direct reports accountable for the responsibilities associated with their role.

1.   Productivity - Expected to understand productivity expectations and meet those standards that have been established for the role and the program.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead, coach, develop, and retain platform’s high-performance, dispersed team. Hold team accountable for supporting organizational policies, procedures, and change management. Ensure staff is appropriately selected, trained, developed, utilized, appraised, and recognized for performance. Promote organization’s vision and goals; inspires and engages others in their relationship to the organization and business unit goals.       

PERKS:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  • Assistance navigating the PSLF through Summer
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Calm Wellness App – Premium Access
• Student loan navigation program with Summer, PBC
• Early Earned Wage Access with UKG Wallet
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• A bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference of a master’s degree. The specific degree required will depend on which program areas are overseen as to what type of degree is required.
• A minimum of 5 years, blend in direct care/technical experience, with a minimum of 2 years being at a supervisory capacity with progressively increasing level of responsibility. This will include direct reports, recruitment, and budget experience and program services oversight.

Qualified candidates will believe in the core mission and vision of LSS and keep client needs at the forefront. Successful candidates will have significant experience in partner (stakeholder) relations.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• Strategic Vision and Agility; ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends and potential consequences, and incorporate them into an organizational plan. Strong ability to build relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to lead and manage people; build teams, enforce accountability, develop people, and position them for success.
• Broad general management experience and skill with thorough understanding of administration, systems, budgeting, finance, information services, marketing, advocacy, government relations and human resources.
• Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills.
• Ability to quickly assess and remedy troubled programs and business situations.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national politics, legislative / policy issues, and political networks

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

TRAVEL:

Ability to travel on frequent day trips. Moderate overnight travel is required based on program needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.