Program Director-CalWORKs Employment Services

TALENT CONNECT EXECUTIVE SEARCH & HR SOLUTIONS; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TALENT CONNECT Executive Search & HR Solutions is seeking an experienced Program Director to lead a large CalWORKs Employment Services program in San Diego County. You will oversee day-to-day operations, drive performance against contractual requirements, and manage a multidisciplinary team.

This senior leadership role requires deep knowledge of CalWORKs/TANF, strong governance, fiscal oversight, and the ability to partner with County officials to deliver measurable outcomes and quality services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years in workforce development, employment services, or related field.
• At least 5 years of program management or operational leadership experience.
• Experience managing government-funded programs or contracts.
• Demonstrated success leading large or complex teams.
• Strong knowledge of California labor laws and related regulations.
• Experience working with government agencies and County clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the CalWORKs program.
• Manage and develop a large, multidisciplinary team including managers and staff.
• Maintain accountability for contract requirements, performance measures, and outcomes.
• Serve as a primary liaison with County representatives and build strong County relationships.
• Oversee employment services, participant case management, and related supports.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
• Develop progress reports that combine data with narrative analysis to show results.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

CalWORKs experience

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Program Director to lead a large-scale CalWORKs Employment Services program in San Diego County.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who understands both the mission and the operational demands of government-funded workforce and human services programs. The Program Director will oversee the day-to-day operation of the program and will be accountable for people, participant services, contract performance, County relationships, fiscal management, compliance, quality, and results.

The ideal candidate has direct experience with CalWORKs, TANF, Welfare-to-Work, or a similar employment or human services program and has successfully led complex programs and multidisciplinary teams.

Experience with San Diego County CalWORKs is highly valued.

What You'll Be Responsible For

As Program Director, you will provide overall leadership for the program and ensure services are delivered effectively, contractual expectations are met, and teams have the support and direction they need to succeed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the CalWORKs program.
• Manage and develop a large, multidisciplinary team, including managers, supervisors, and program staff.
• Maintain accountability for contractual requirements, performance measures, deliverables, and participant outcomes.
• Serve as a key point of contact for County representatives and build a strong, responsive working relationship with the County.
• Oversee employment services and participant case management.
• Provide leadership for supportive services, participant payments, housing and Family Stabilization services, child care coordination, and specialty-provider integration.
• Monitor participant caseloads, service delivery, staffing levels, and overall program performance.
• Oversee program budgets, expenditures, staffing costs, and fiscal performance.
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
• Oversee quality assurance, monitoring, audit readiness, and corrective-action activities.
• Develop accurate and timely progress and performance reports that combine quantitative data with narrative analysis to clearly communicate program results, trends, and areas of focus.
• Oversee the effective use of case-management, data, technology, and reporting systems.
• Lead program startup, transition, implementation, and other significant operational initiatives.
• Identify operational, fiscal, compliance, or performance challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced leader who understands how to manage a complex government-funded program while keeping both participant outcomes and contractual performance at the center of the operation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Approximately 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, employment services, human services, social services, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of significant program management or operational leadership experience.
• Experience managing government-funded workforce development or human services programs or contracts.
• Demonstrated experience leading large or complex teams and operations.
• Strong experience with program performance, fiscal management, compliance, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Strong working knowledge of California and applicable local labor laws, including timekeeping and attendance practices, meal and rest period requirements, and overtime regulations.
• Experience working directly with government agencies, County representatives, public-sector clients, or similar stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, judgment, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Highly Preferred

• Direct CalWORKs, TANF, or Welfare-to-Work experience.
• San Diego County CalWORKs experience.
• Master's degree.
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary workforce of 50+ employees.
• Responsibility for a substantial participant caseload and program budget.
• Direct responsibility for government contract performance and outcomes.
• Experience overseeing supportive services and participant payments.
• Quality assurance, compliance, monitoring, and audit experience.
• Experience with case-management, data, and government reporting systems.
• Experience leading a major program transition, contract startup, or implementation.

The Leader We’re Looking For

The strongest candidates will be able to demonstrate the scope and impact of the programs they have actually led, not simply familiarity with workforce or human services.

We are particularly interested in understanding your experience with:

• CalWORKs, TANF, Welfare-to-Work, or related programs
• Size of teams and number of direct reports managed
• Participant caseload and overall program scale
• Program and contract budgets
• County or government client relationships
• Contractual performance measures and outcomes
• Fiscal accountability
• Quality assurance, compliance, and audits
• Supportive services and participant payments
• Technology, data, and reporting systems
• Program transitions and major implementations

You should be comfortable leading through complexity, making decisions, holding teams accountable, working directly with government partners, and using performance and financial information to continuously strengthen program operations.

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity to lead a program that directly supports individuals and families as they work toward employment, stability, and greater economic independence.

The Program Director will have the opportunity to build and lead a strong team, establish effective operations, develop productive partnerships with the County and community providers, and create an accountable, high-performing program focused on both quality service and measurable outcomes.