Program Director

The New Foster Care

Detroit (MI)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The New Foster Care is seeking a Program Director in Michigan to lead the Bridge Program with strategic, hands-on leadership across operations. The role requires a visionary, servant leader who mentors staff, partners with community organizations, and drives transformative outcomes for youth aging out of foster care.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in executive leadership, systems thinking, and a deep commitment to participant-centered, trauma-informed services across multiple

Qualifications

Doctorate degree strongly preferred.
Master’s degree in a related health and human services field.
Current Michigan licensure (LMSW or LPC) required.
10+ years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience.
Minimum 8 years in child welfare, behavioral health, or related fields.
Experience managing multi-county or multi-site programs.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Bridge program.
Lead, mentor, and develop department leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
Engage staff, participants, and community partners across the organization.
Align staffing, workload, and resources to participant needs and success.
Coordinate staff training and professional development opportunities.
Partner with leadership on budget oversight and sustainability.
Promote cross-department collaboration for integrated service delivery.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Staff development

Program management

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Doctorate degree (Ph.D. DSW, or equivalent)

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field

Michigan licensure: LMSW or LPC

10 years executive leadership experience

8+ years experience in child welfare/foster care

Multi-county/multi-site program experience

Job description

The New Foster Care’s (TNFC) is a 501c (3) non-profit organization based out of Oakland County. Founded in 2016, TNFC is a faith-based organization committed to making transformative changes within the Michigan foster care system creating a measurable, and meaningful impact in the lives of youth in and aging out of foster care.

TNFC serves people ages 14-29 through its Bridge Program, a comprehensive transitional support model that centers the young person as the driver of their own plan. Participants work with a Transition Navigator, Peer Support Specialist, Personal Wellness Coach, and Attorney to address any issues hindering their progress and develop a strategy for success across six life domains: Education, Employment, Housing, Transportation, Mental & Physical Health, and Community Connection.

Our work is grounded in relationship-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-focused practice,

delivered through an integrated multidisciplinary team.

Position Summary

The Program Director serves as a senior organizational leader responsible for advancing The New Foster Care's mission by providing strategic, operational, and hands‑on leadership across the Bridge Program.

The ideal candidate is an innovative, servant leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is equally comfortable providing executive leadership, mentoring staff, solving complex operational challenges, nurturing community partnerships, and engaging directly with participants and multidisciplinary teams across the organization. This individual demonstrates exceptional emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, operational discipline, and an unwavering commitment to transforming outcomes for youth impacted by foster care.

The Program Director has a deep passion for the population served, and embraces a visionary approach to wraparound support while maintaining fidelity to TNFC’s participant-centered model.

Essential Responsibilities and Expectations

Organizational Leadership & Operations

Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Bridge program, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and -organization priorities.
Lead, mentor, and develop department leaders and multidisciplinary teams by providing coaching, strategic guidance and support on complex cases, crisis response, staff development, organizational planning, and service delivery.
Maintain an engaged presence within program operations, building relationships with staff, participants, and community partners as needed.
Ensure departmental staffing, workload distribution, and organizational resources are effectively aligned to meet participant needs while supporting employee success and operational excellence.
Coordinate and facilitate relevant staff training and professional development opportunities that strengthen employee performance and organizational capacity.
Partner with leadership to ensure responsible fiscal stewardship through effective budget oversight, resource allocation, participant assistance funding, and long‑term organizational sustainability.
Promote collaboration across all departments to ensure integrated, participant‑centered service delivery and organizational alignment.

External Relations and Fund Development

Serve as an organizational representative with state agencies, county partners, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders.
Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships within the mental health, education, healthcare, and social services fields to advance TNFC's mission and strategic objectives.
Support grant development, contract procurement, fundraising initiatives, and sustainability efforts.
Coordinate all necessary program documentation, reports, and analyses as required for state appropriations, grants, and other funding sources.

Documentation & Compliance

Ensure program documentation, participant records, and outcome data are maintained accurately, timely, and in compliance with organizational, contractual, and regulatory requirements within Salesforce and the electronic medical record (EMR).
Design and implement program procedures to ensure staff comply with all relevant legislation, professional standards, and organization policies and procedures, up to and including:
HIPAA and all applicable confidentiality requirements governing client records and protected health information
Public and private funder and contract requirements

Professional Contribution & Growth

Exemplify TNFC’s core values: steadfast belief, unconditional love, relentless advocacy, humility & collaboration, and professional excellence.
Apply knowledge of human development, behavioral health, trauma-informed
care, and strengths-based practices to leadership and participant-centered service delivery.
Maintain current knowledge of emerging research, evidence-based and promising practices, evolving trends in child welfare, behavioral health, foster care, and transition youth services into program development, and service delivery.
Exercise sound judgment and provide steady leadership during high pressure situations, crises, and complex organizational challenges.
Maintain the flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet participant, program, community, or organizational needs.

Qualifications

Doctorate degree (Ph.D. DSW, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or closely related health and human services field.
Current full State of Michigan professional licensure; LMSW or LPC required.
10 years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience leading multidisciplinary teams, department leaders, supervisors, and professional staff, while managing complex organizational operations.
Minimum of 8 years of experience in child welfare, behavioral health, foster care, transition‑age youth services, independent living, housing, or a related human services environment.
Experience managing multi-county or multi-site programs strongly preferred.

Professional Expectations