Director of Program Services
Lutheran Social Services
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan (LSS) seeks a seasoned Director of Program Services - Residential Services to lead a growing portfolio across Wisconsin. This executive role oversees 103 colleagues, an $8.5 million budget, and ensures high-quality service delivery with regulatory compliance and workforce development.
The position reports to the Vice President and requires strategic thinking, strong stakeholder management, and a focus on sustainable growth.
Qualifications
- Leadership experience overseeing residential or behavioral health programs.
- Experience managing large budgets and multi-site operations.
- Strong planning, financial management, and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership and oversight for Residential Services programs.
- Develop and implement strategic plans aligned with goals and mission.
- Oversee budget, staffing, contracts, and partnerships to ensure quality.
- Foster accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Skills
Education
Job description
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is a private, non-profit, human service agency providing a variety of services throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Over the years, LSS has grown to become one of the largest human service agencies in the two state area serving more than 125,000 clients annually. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven individuals like you to help provide services including outpatient behavioral health management, international, domestic and special needs adoptions, older adult services, support services for children, youth and families, community corrections programs and support services for adults with disabilities and/or mental health concerns.
Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives. Does this describe your personal mission statement? Are you motivated to serve by sharing your talents?
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, you'll 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.
- 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.
- Master’s 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).
Bachelor Degree of Hum. Serv. or Related Field (required)
Certified Addiction Cnslr (required) Driver's License (preferred)
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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