Senior Program Director - Amber/Leeward

LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lantern Community Services, Inc. is seeking a dynamic Senior Program Director to lead day-to-day operations at Amber and Leeward Hall, overseeing a multidisciplinary team and ensuring residents receive stability-supporting services.

This role requires strong administrative and clinical judgment with a commitment to serving vulnerable populations in a housing-first setting. The Senior Program Director will supervise a social services team at two sites, collaborate across Leasing, Compliance, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy required.
• Licensure (LMSW, LMHC, or LMFT) preferred; candidates without current licensure must obtain it within one year of hire.
• SIFI certification preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Three to five years of progressive experience in direct service program implementation.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, and chronic homelessness preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience with electronic case management systems and data-driven service delivery.
• Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to adjust schedule as needed.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing, IPS, and harm reduction models.
• Experience in affordable, transitional, or low-income residential housing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, supervise, and develop a program team accountable for resident outcomes and funder requirements.
• Ensure all case records are accurate, comprehensive, and up to date; monitor staff compliance and provide training and support.
• Oversee the development and implementation of program services, including groups, tenant meetings, and community activities.
• Provide regular staff supervision and facilitate weekly staff and clinical meetings.
• Identify and address ongoing training needs for program staff.
• Screen potential clients in collaboration with Leasing and Compliance; assist with move-in and program orientation.
• Ensure staff support housing stability through budgeting and money management with tenants.
• Assess serious incidents and review incident management procedures.
• Utilize data to track program goals and address trends.
• Submit monthly written reports to Senior Management.
• Develop and maintain linkages with community organizations and NYPD.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Supervisory/Leadership

Data-driven service delivery

Bilingual English/Spanish

Motivational Interviewing

IPS (Individual Placement and Support)

Harm reduction

Working under pressure

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work / Mental Health Counseling / Marriage and Family Therapy

LMSW/LMHC/LMFT licensure preferred

SIFI certification preferred

Job description

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Assistant Vice President

Location: Bronx, NY

Status & Hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schedule may be adjusted based on the operational needs of the site and the agency.

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you'll fit right in with our mission-first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York, a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!

Where You Will Work: Bronx, NY. This role oversees two supportive housing programs: one serving individuals living with chronic illnesses and histories of mental health challenges or substance use, and one serving formerly homeless families with medical, mental health, and/or substance use needs.

About The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Program Director to lead our teams at Amber and Leeward Hall. The Senior Program Director will oversee day-to-day program operations, supervise a multidisciplinary social services team, and ensure residents receive the support they need to stabilize their lives, maintain housing, and advance toward their individualized goals. This role requires close collaboration with Leasing, Compliance, and Property Management staff and calls for a leader with strong administrative skills, sound clinical judgment, and a genuine commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hire, train, supervise, and develop a program team accountable for achieving resident outcomes and meeting Lantern and funder requirements.
• Ensure all case records are accurate, comprehensive, and up to date; monitor staff compliance and provide training and support.
• Oversee the development and implementation of program services, including groups, tenant meetings, and community activities.
• Provide regular staff supervision and facilitate weekly staff and clinical meetings.
• Identify and address ongoing training needs for program staff.
• In collaboration with Leasing and Compliance, screen potential clients and assist with move-in and program orientation.
• Ensure staff support housing stability through proactive work with tenants on budgeting and money management.
• Assess serious incidents and review appropriateness of incident management.
• Utilize data to track program goals and address trends.
• Submit monthly written reports to Senior Management.
• Develop and maintain linkages with community organizations and NYPD.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy required.
• Licensure (LMSW, LMHC, or LMFT) preferred; candidates without current licensure must obtain it within one year of hire.
• SIFI certification preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Three to five years of progressive experience in direct service program implementation.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, and chronic homelessness preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience with electronic case management systems and data-driven service delivery.
• Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to adjust schedule as needed.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing, Individual Placement and Support (IPS), and harm reduction models.
• Experience in affordable, transitional, or low-income residential housing preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

Oversees the Social Services Team at both sites, including a Case Management Supervisor, case managers, social workers, and a Resident Coordinator.

Work Environment

This position operates within a supportive housing setting serving individuals and families who may experience mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, and/or kneel; use hands to type or handle objects; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities. Lantern welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and experiences regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, pregnancy, religion, immigration status, veteran status, class, creed, mental or physical disability, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.