Director of Program Services

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.

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's 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.

Required Skills

• Leadership and operational management.
• Financial oversight and budget management.
• Regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
• Workforce development and team building.

Preferred Skills

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Independent Clinical Supervisor (ICS) credential preferred.
• Experience overseeing residential…