Director of Programs

Job description:

Director of Programs

Georgia's Friends, Inc. – Charlottesville, VA

Reports To: Executive Director

Classification: Exempt

Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours/week), including evenings, weekends, and participation in an on-call leadership rotation as needed.

Position Summary

The Director of Programs provides strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous quality improvement for all recovery programming and recovery residence operations at Georgia's Friends. This position ensures that programming reflects trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, and evidence-informed practices while maintaining compliance with Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR), DBHDS, grant requirements, and organizational policies.

The Director of Programs is responsible for supervising and developing the Recovery Services Team, including the Peer Navigator, House Managers, and Peer Coordinators, while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and compassionate leadership. This position oversees resident programming from admission through alumnae engagement, ensuring consistency across multiple recovery residences and alignment with Georgia's Friends' mission.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director of Programs partners closely with the Executive Director to implement strategic initiatives, strengthen organizational outcomes, and expand recovery services throughout the community.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight for all recovery programming and recovery residence services.
• Ensure programs remain resident-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and aligned with best practices.
• Oversee resident programming from intake through graduation and alumnae engagement.
• Monitor program quality and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate program policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Ensure consistency in programming across multiple recovery residences.
• Monitor resident outcomes and recommend improvements based on data and trends.

Recovery Residence Operations

• Oversee daily operations of Georgia's recovery residences.
• Ensure compliance with VARR standards, DBHDS regulations, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Maintain program documentation, inspections, certifications, and quality assurance activities.
• Coordinate resident admissions, transitions, discharges, and occupancy management.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and leadership to ensure safe and therapeutic living environments.

Leadership & Staff Supervision

Directly supervise:

• Peer Navigator
• House Managers
• Peer Coordinators
• Future Recovery Support staff as assigned

Responsibilities include:

• Hiring and onboarding of program staff
• Coaching and professional development of program staff
• Performance evaluations of program staff
• Scheduling support as needed
• Supervision meetings with program team
• Accountability and corrective action of program team
• Team culture and engagement

Develop staff competencies while promoting leadership growth and succession planning.

Resident Services & Case Coordination

Provide oversight of:

• Resident assessments
• Goal planning
• Recovery planning
• Community referrals
• Crisis intervention
• Behavioral support
• Recovery coaching
• Family engagement when appropriate

Ensure residents receive coordinated, individualized support throughout their recovery journey.

Program Development & Community Partnerships

• Expand and strengthen recovery programming.
• Develop workshops, educational programming, and wellness initiatives.
• Cultivate partnerships with community providers and referral sources.
• Coordinate volunteer engagement within programming.
• Support implementation of new initiatives aligned with strategic priorities.

Compliance, Documentation & Reporting

• Ensure timely completion of program documentation.
• Monitor data collection and outcome measurement.
• Prepare reports for grants, leadership, board and committees, and regulatory agencies.
• Support audits, certification reviews, and program evaluations.
• Ensure confidentiality and documentation standards are maintained.

Budget & Resource Management

• Assist with annual program budget development.
• Monitor program expenditures.
• Oversee inventory, supplies, and program resources.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies.

Organizational Leadership

• Participate in strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of programming, fundraising, operations, and organizational goals.
• Participate in leadership meetings, committee meetings, and board meetings as requested.
• Participate in the organization's on-call leadership rotation.

Education & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum five years of experience in recovery services, behavioral health, social services, or nonprofit programming.
• Minimum three years of progressive supervisory experience.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Certifications:

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS)
• Other behavioral health or recovery certifications
• Experience with recovery housing or residential programming preferred.
• Knowledge of VARR standards and recovery-oriented systems of care preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
• Strong crisis management and conflict resolution abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze data and improve program outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, electronic documentation systems, and data management platforms.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered, recovery-oriented care.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold Georgia's Friends policies and ethical standards.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Team Development & Coaching
• Program Administration
• Trauma-Informed Leadership
• Quality Improvement
• Crisis Management
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Communication & Collaboration
• Systems Thinking
• Accountability & Results
• Emotional Intelligence
• Community Partnership Development

Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)

Georgia's Friends is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in employment except where a bona fide occupational qualification is permitted by law. Because this position provides direct supervision, peer support, and recovery services to women residing in our recovery residences, being a woman is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for this position. This qualification is based on the essential nature of the role, which requires maintaining a trauma-informed, gender-specific recovery environment that protects resident privacy, dignity, and therapeutic outcomes.

Georgia's Friends remains committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all other respects consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits Package

Georgia's Friends offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional growth of our employees, including:

• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually (vacation, sick, and personal leave)
• 11 paid holidays, including a floating holiday
• Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) to help offset eligible healthcare expenses
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching (per plan eligibility)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid jury duty leave
• Paid community service hours
• Paid time to attend mutual aid/recovery meetings
• Professional development funding, including certifications, conferences, continuing education, and training opportunities
• Flexible scheduling and occasional remote work opportunities, when operationally appropriate

Georgia's Friends is committed to investing in employees who are passionate about supporting women in recovery while fostering a collaborative, mission-driven workplace.