Group Program Manager

Job Description:

Group Living Program Manager | Building the Environment Where Youth Can Heal, Grow, and Thrive

Wellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions, Livonia | Full-Time | Salary $75,000 Accepting applications through October 28, 2026

The most important moments in a young person's life are often shaped by the people behind the scenes who create safety, consistency, and opportunity.

You chose this field because you believe every young person deserves the chance to overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and build a future filled with possibility.

At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we're looking for a Group Living Program Manager to join our New Directions team—a trauma‑informed residential program serving youth with developmental disabilities and co‑occurring emotional and behavioral challenges.

At New Directions, you will lead a residential program that helps youth with developmental disabilities and co‑occurring emotional and behavioral challenges heal, grow, and prepare for the future. Most importantly, you'll help young people discover that their future is bigger than their circumstances.

You will provide leadership for the residential treatment program, ensuring youth receive consistent, high‑quality care in a safe and therapeutic environment. You will mentor supervisors and direct care leaders, strengthen teams, guide program improvement efforts, support staff through crises, and help create experiences that allow youth to build confidence, resilience, and life skills. Every decision you make helps shape the culture and environment where healing can happen.

You believe strong leadership can change the trajectory of a young person's life. You are passionate about child welfare and residential treatment. You enjoy developing employees and strengthening teams. You remain calm and solution‑focused during difficult situations. You believe every young person deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience in a child caring institution – OR – Two years of college from an accredited college or university and 3 years of work experience in a child caring institution – OR – A high school diploma and 4 years of work experience in a child caring institution.

Four years of supervisory experience in a child caring institution or child placing agency. Knowledge of child welfare services, residential treatment, adolescent development, and behavioral interventions. Strong leadership, communication, and team‑building skills. Ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.

At Wellspring, we're motivated by Christ's love to engage people as they experience and embrace their God‑given potential. That mission is especially meaningful at New Directions, where every day brings opportunities to help young people discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves. This is more than a management position. It's an opportunity to develop leaders, strengthen clinical services, support families, and help young people build brighter futures.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee Assistance Program (Support Linc)
• Professional development opportunities
• Mission‑driven work that changes lives

Full‑time leadership position with a schedule driven by the needs of the program and the youth we serve. Primarily weekday business hours with a flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Participation in leadership meetings, supervision, training, quality improvement initiatives, and…