Group Living Program Manager

Wellspring Lutheran Services; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

Employee Assistance Program (SupportLi

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services is seeking a Group Living Program Manager for the New Directions team in Livonia, MI. This role leads a trauma-informed residential program serving youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges.

You will mentor supervisors, strengthen teams, and guide ongoing program improvements to ensure safe, high-quality care. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus substantial supervisory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience in child welfare settings.
• Four years of supervisory experience in a child caring institution or child placing agency.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the residential treatment program.
• Mentor supervisors and direct care leaders; strengthen teams.
• Guide program improvement efforts and support staff through crises.
• Help create experiences that build youth confidence, resilience, and life skills.
• Ensure a safe and therapeutic environment with high-quality care.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team-building

Crisis response

Staff development

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Two years of college

High school diploma

Job description

Job Description:Group Living Program Manager | Building the Environment Where Youth Can Heal, Grow, and ThriveWellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions, Livonia | Full-Time | Salary $75,000Accepting applications through October 28, 2026The 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.What Your Impact Will Look LikeYou 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.The Professional We're Looking ForYou 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.What You'll BringA 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 institutionFour 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.Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?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.We OfferHealth, dental, and vision insurancePaid time off and paid holidays403(b) retirement plan with employer matchingEmployee Assistance Program (SupportLinc)Professional development opportunitiesMission-driven work that changes livesScheduleFull-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 neededParticipation in leadership meetings, supervision, training, quality improvement initiatives, and program planningAvailability to respond to emergencies and crisis situations after normal business hoursActive presence throughout the residential campusApply TodayIf you are looking for a leadership opportunity where you can develop staff, strengthen programs, and create meaningful opportunities for youth to succeed, we would love to meet you.Join Wellspring Lutheran Services and help build the environment where young people can heal, grow, and create the future they deserve.About usFor more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.Our mission: Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.Full job description available during the interview.