logo inner

Senior Director of People and Program Operations

Illumination FoundationSanta Ana, California, United StatesOnsite

“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.”


Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Health + Home (IH+H) is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IH+H currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

Job Description


The Senior Director of People and Program Operations is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the strategic and hands-on management of the organization’s 24-hour recuperative care programs and the Human Resources department. This leader ensures high-quality service delivery, operational efficiency, and a healthy organizational culture through strong systems, staff development, and compliance oversight.This role requires a mission-driven leader with experience in health or housing programs, deep knowledge of human resources, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic, client centered environment.The salary range for this role is: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00, depending on experience.

This is a primarily in-office position based in Santa Ana, with candidates having the option to work from home 1-2 days per week after their initial onboarding period.  

Responsibilities


Program Operations (Recuperative Care) – 30% 

  • Provide direct oversight of day-to-day operations for all 24/7 recuperative care sites, ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, contracts, and licensing. 
  • Develop and implement operational protocols and workflows to ensure quality care, safety, and efficiency. 
  • Lead program directors and site managers; support staff performance, coverage, and ongoing training needs. 
  • Track program metrics and outcomes; collaborate with quality assurance staff to monitor performance indicators and implement improvements. 
  • Support program expansion and capacity-building efforts, including new site launches and cross-agency partnerships. 
  • Serve as the primary liaison between executive leadership and program teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. 

Human Resources Oversight – 60% 

  • Lead the HR department and oversee all HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, training, performance management, and compliance. 
  • Develop and track HR metrics to include: Monthly Employee turnover analysis monthly (voluntary/involuntary and reasons why), employee retention strategies, time to fill open positions, leadership and supervisory employee relations and basic management training. 
  • Foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work culture that reflects the values of the organization.
  • Partner with the CEO and leadership team on workforce planning and organizational development.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and best practices.
  • Manage HR vendors and consultants as needed (e.g., benefits, payroll, legal counsel).
  • Support leadership development, coaching, and succession planning across departments. 

Organizational Leadership & Strategy – 10% 

  • Participate in executive-level planning and decision-making; align operations and HR strategy with organizational mission. 
  • Develop and manage budgets related to HR and program departments. 
  • Represent the organization in stakeholder meetings, funder site visits, and public forums as needed.

Expectations


  • We uphold the values of Community, Action, Respect, and Empowerment in all aspects of our work.
  • Community - We lead with the vision of a strengthened and compassionate community for all. By embodying collective care, we serve as an example of what is possible when we come together. 
  • Action - Our “whatever it takes” mindset drives us forward. We take initiative, step in where others have stepped out, and create solutions when none exist. 
  • Respect - We deeply value the dignity and uniqueness of every individual we serve. We honor their stories, their journeys, and their right to be seen and heard. 
  • Empowerment - We heal—always. Our work enables clients to grow stronger in health, confidence, and belief in their potential as they move forward on their life journey. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to motivate and support colleagues while adapting to new procedures and promoting a positive, team-oriented culture. 
  • Maintain professional communication, responding to phone calls and emails in a courteous and timely manner. 
  • Set and model appropriate boundaries with clients while maintaining trust and rapport. 
  • Exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in line with Illumination Health + Home’s core values: integrity, transparency, accountability, respect, and responsibility. 
  • Present oneself in accordance with Illumination Health + Home's dress code and professional standards. 
  • Model openness, honesty, and accountability in all interactions with clients, colleagues, leadership, volunteers, and external partners. 
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of client and organizational information. 
  • Accept personal responsibility and accountability for job performance and continuous improvement. 
  • Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the needs of low-income and homeless populations. 
  • Exhibit effective interpersonal and communication skills, including tact, diplomacy, and active listening. 
  • Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team, clients, and members of the public. 
  • Work independently, manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing priorities with minimal supervision

Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications


Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, or related field required.
  • Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or healthcare operations, with at least 3 years overseeing HR functions or departments. 
  • Experience managing 24-hour or residential programs (e.g., recuperative care, shelters, skilled nursing, behavioral health). 
  • Strong understanding of employment law, HR compliance, and staff development best practices. 
  • Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills. 
  • Demonstrated ability to build systems, lead through change, and manage teams with empathy and accountability. 

Preferred: 

  • Master’s degree strongly preferred. 

Benefits


  • Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Heatlh + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Professional Development Reimbursement
  • 401K with Company Matching
  • 15 days vacation PTO/year
  • 6 days sick PTO/year
  • 10 days holiday PTO/year
  • Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loan

Life at Illumination Foundation

Studies show that families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in America. This is especially true in Orange County, where one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation creates an immense gap between income and affordable housing. In 2007, the Illumination Foundation was founded to create a safety net for these homeless families by providing ongoing patient-centered housing, healthcare, workforce, and educational services.\n\nOur mission is to provide targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable homeless clients in order to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness.\n\nFor the past ten years, we’ve committed ourselves to providing the best care possible for the homeless, focusing on services that will assist families into stable housing. By assessing families and individuals as they enter our care, we can identify their unique needs and provide immediate relief when necessary. We utilize public/private partnerships to ensure that our clients are connected to all community resources available to them.
Thrive Here & What We Value - Disrupting the cycle of homelessness through targeted services- Providing compassion, dignity, and safety to clients experiencing homelessness- Maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and DHS standards- Promoting health literacy for better disease management and overall wellbeing

Related Sub

This job belongs to these sub. Explore related roles here:
Your tracker settings

We use cookies and similar methods to recognize visitors and remember their preferences. We also use them to measure ad campaign effectiveness, target ads and analyze site traffic. To learn more about these methods, including how to disable them, view our Cookie Policy or Privacy Policy.

By tapping `Accept`, you consent to the use of these methods by us and third parties. You can always change your tracker preferences by visiting our Cookie Policy.

logo innerThatStartupJob
Discover the best startup and their job positions, all in one place.
Copyright © 2025