Program Director

Fountain-House; New York (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Fountain House in New York, NY, seeks a Program Director (Full-time, onsite) to manage Social Practice within the Clubhouse model. Lead a therapeutic community, supervise staff, and oversee budgets and program operations to support members’ recovery and goals.

Master’s degree preferred; undergraduate degree required. Leadership Accelerated Program experience or 3 years supervisory work is valued. Join a mission-driven team advancing mental health recovery and community-based care.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Basic computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel, AWARDS and Outlook).
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while providing exemplary service.
• Ability to manage a team of staff and members and complete assignments within instructions.
• Ability to handle crises in a supportive and professional way.

Responsibilities

• Perform all elements of Social Practice with the membership.
• Support and develop a therapeutic community based on Social Practice and the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs.
• Supervise other social practitioners, mentor and support the team.
• Responsible for the program’s budget, data collection, scope of service requirements and administration.
• Coordinate schedules, caseloads and evaluations of practitioners.
• Ensure participation of the program in supporting the clubhouse community and mission.
• Participate in programmatic decision-making forums and committees.
• Maintain compliance with government requirements and company policies.
• Promote and support the clubhouse community and Social Practice internally and externally.
• Be flexible and represent Fountain House at organizational forums and external meetings.
• Attend events representing Fountain House as needed.
• Ensure proper staffing including hiring staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned by Senior Director of Programming & Housing.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Under pressure

Team leadership

Crisis management

Education

Master’s degree (preferred)

Bachelor’s degree (required)

Leadership Accelerated Program

Clubhouse/ Social Practice knowledge

Job description

Description

About Fountain House

At Fountain House, we believe in the power of community to transform the lives of individuals with serious mental illness. Every day, thousands of members choose to come to Fountain House to contribute their talents, learn new skills, access opportunities, and form friendships. Members and staff operate successful employment, education, wellness programs and work as partners to perform all the functions that keep our community going. The Fountain House model has been replicated in more than 300 locations in 30 countries and 32 states and currently serves more than 100,000 people with mental illness worldwide. As originators of this approach, we provide leadership by constantly advancing the practice and by leading the conversation around mental health recovery. As a result, Fountain House has created a comprehensive Community System of Care. This includes Clubhouses in Manhattan, the Bronx, Hollywood, California and Care Management, Home and Community Based Services and a large housing program ranging from 24 hour supervised residences to scattered site supported apartments. We are committed to reducing social isolation, advocating for mental health policy change, and driving solutions that empower our members.

Your Impact

The Program Director is responsible for making sure all elements of social practice are available to the membership in the program area and that all social practitioners have adequate support, training and supervision to provide effective quality services to Fountain House members. Social Practice is a specialized form of therapy that uses the setting of an intentional community to assist people in their mental health recovery. It focuses on a community-based approach of helping individuals learn new skills, hone their talents, build dignity, develop a sense of belonging, and make progress towards their goals.

The International Standards for Clubhouse Programs, consensually agreed upon by the worldwide Clubhouse community, define the Clubhouse Model of rehabilitation. The principles expressed in these Standards are at the heart of the Clubhouse community’s success in helping people with mental illness to stay out of hospitals while achieving social, financial, educational and vocational goals. The Standards also serve as a "bill of rights" for members and a code of ethics for staff, board and administrators. The Standards insist that a Clubhouse is a place that offers respect and opportunity to its members.

The Program Director embodies the values of the clubhouse model, demonstrating what we call our HERO characteristics: fierce optimism, professional curiosity, and a deeply communitarian approach to partnerships and engagement.

Full-time Onsite

$85,000 per year

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform all elements of Social Practice (member engagement, social design, relationship development, continuous assessment & therapeutic intervention, and management of transitional environments) with the membership.
• Support and develop a therapeutic community based on Social Practice and the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs.
• Supervise the other social practitioners in your program. Mentor, develop and support the other social practitioners throughout the organization.
• Responsible for the program’s budget; data collection; scope of service requirements and overall administration of the program.
• Coordinate schedules; responsibilities; caseloads and evaluations of the social practitioners in the program.
• Ensure the meaningful participation of the program in supporting the clubhouse community and the overall mission of Fountain House.
• Actively participate in programmatic decision-making forums such as the Clubhouse Communications and the Programming Committee.
• Maintain compliance with all government agency requirements, company policies and procedures.
• Promote and support the clubhouse community and Social Practice internally and externally.
• Flexibility, as demonstrated by interchangeability with other staff on the unit, staying late or arriving early, if necessary, to fulfill unit or member needs. Additionally, participate in organizational forums, events and external meetings representing Fountain House as needed.
• Attend events and external meetings representing Fountain House as needed.
• Ensure the program is properly staffed including hiring staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned by Senior Director of Programming & Housing

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Basic computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel, AWARDS and Outlook)
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a cheerful outlook and providing exemplary customer service.
• Ability to manage a team of staff and members and to conduct assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• Ability to effectively handle crises in a supportive and professional way based on training and standard accepted practices.

REQUIRED AND PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CREDENTIALS

• Master’s degree or equivalent preferred
• An undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience required.
• Completion of Leadership Accelerated Program or 3 years outside supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated mastery of the techniques of Social Practice.
• A thorough understanding of Social Practice and the Clubhouse model.

Why Join Fountain House?

• Empower Marginalized Communities – Elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience and drive real systemic change.
• Innovate in Mental Health Advocacy – Join a mission-driven team at the forefront of mental health reform.
• Professional Growth & Leadership – Access mentorship, training, and career development opportunities in a rapidly evolving field.

Join Us and Make an Impact!

Be part of a movement that is transforming mental health care through research, advocacy, and community.

Fountain House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At this time Fountain House, Inc. is not able to sponsor visas

Note: This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not to be construed as a contract for employment.