Director of Program Services

Location: Eau Claire WI (120 S. Barstow Street) or West Allis WI (6737 W. Washington Street)

Status: Full-Time Exempt Hyrid

Travel: Regular in-state travel throughout to programs is required.

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan (LSS) is seeking a strategic mission-driven leader to serve as our next Director of Program Services - Residential Services. This executive-level position provides leadership operational oversight and strategic direction for a growing portfolio of residential services across Wisconsin.

Reporting to the Vice President of Residential Services this role is responsible for ensuring exceptional service delivery financial stewardship regulatory compliance workforce development and operational excellence. The Director oversees approximately 103 colleagues and a growing workforce while maintaining accountability for an $8.5 million operating budget. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who can balance mission people quality and financial performance while driving innovation and sustainable growth. This leadership role is responsible for day-to-day operational oversight and strategic execution within Residential Services.

At LSS we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity hope and purpose. As a Director of Program Services youll have the opportunity to influence organizational strategy lead talented teams strengthen communities and advance a mission that changes lives every day.

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for Residential Services programs across multiple locations and service lines.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with organizational goals and mission.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives focused on quality outcomes efficiency growth and sustainability.
• Foster a culture of accountability innovation continuous improvement and servant leadership.
• Build strong relationships with community partners funders referral sources regulatory agencies and stakeholders.

• Direct and manage an annual operating budget of approximately $8.5 million.
• Monitor financial performance program profitability staffing ratios and resource allocation.
• Develop annual budgets forecasts and business plans to support operational objectives.
• Collaborate with Finance and executive leadership to identify opportunities for growth and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources while maintaining high-quality service delivery.

• Provide leadership and oversight for approximately 103 colleagues and growing.
• Coach mentor and develop managers supervisors and emerging leaders.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on recruitment workforce planning retention succession planning and employee engagement initiatives.
• Promote a culture that values inclusion professional development accountability and high performance.
• Ensure staffing models effectively support program quality compliance and client outcomes.

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with vendors contractors and community partners.
• Oversee contract negotiations implementation administration and performance monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations service agreements funding requirements and organizational policies.
• Evaluate vendor effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve service quality and operational efficiency.

• Ensure compliance with all federal state local licensing accreditation and funding requirements.
• Monitor operational performance quality metrics and risk management activities.
• Lead corrective action planning and continuous quality improvement initiatives as needed.
• Ensure programs consistently meet expectations for service quality safety documentation and compliance standards.

• Bachelors degree in Social Work Psychology Human Services Counseling Business Administration Public Administration Healthcare Administration or a related field.
• Current Wisconsin Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential required.
• Progressive leadership experience overseeing residential treatment behavioral health human services housing or community-based service programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing large budgets multi-site operations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with strategic planning financial management contract administration vendor relations and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and achieve operational results.
• Strong interpersonal communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Masters degree in a related field.
• Independent Clinical Supervisor (ICS) credential preferred.
• Experience overseeing residential treatment substance use disorder behavioral health housing or related human services programs.
• Experience working with government contracts grants accreditation surveys and regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading organizational growth and transformation initiatives.

As a nonprofit employer eligible LSS employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Employees may have federal student loans forgiven after meeting PSLF program requirements including qualifying payments and employment. LSS also offers support navigating the PSLF process through Summer PBC.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Calm Wellness App Premium Access

• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Annual compensation review process
• Student Loan Navigation Program through Summer PBC
• Early Earned Wage Access with UKG Wallet
• Mileage Reimbursement

• Generous Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays Annually
• Flexible mission-focused work environment

• Professional Development Opportunities
• Leadership Development
• Service Awards & Employee Recognition Programs
• LSS makes annual compensation increases a priority for employees

This is a unique opportunity to lead a growing residential services portfolio oversee more than 100 dedicated colleagues manage significant operational resources and help shape the future of services that make a meaningful difference across Wisconsin communities.

If you are an experienced leader with expertise in operational management fiscal oversight compliance workforce development and behavioral health or residential services we encourage you to apply.

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).