Remote Program Director - Social Welfare

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health & retirement benefits

Autonomy to shape national policy

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Program Director to lead national social welfare initiatives remotely in South Africa. You will guide a dispersed team, shape strategy, and measure impact across programs tied to social welfare goals.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in a related field, 10–12 years of leadership, and strong capabilities in budgeting, stakeholder engagement, and remote team management. Excellent communication skills and grant experience are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree required in Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 10–12 years of progressive leadership experience in social welfare or non-profit sectors.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and scale complex social programs.
• Excellent strategic planning and leadership capabilities.
• Proven experience leading remote teams and managing budgets.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience securing large grants and building partnerships.
• Knowledge of SA social welfare policies and remote collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for social welfare programs nationwide.
• Develop and implement program strategies aligned with mission and goals.
• Oversee program budgets and resource allocation.
• Lead and mentor a geographically diverse team of program managers and staff.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure impact and effectiveness.
• Cultivate relationships with government agencies, partners, and funders.
• Drive innovative program design and delivery, adhering to best practices.
• Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Prepare reports for executive board and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Remote management

Stakeholder management

Education

PhD or Master’s in Social Work/Public Admin/Development Studies

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished national non‑profit organization focused on enhancing social welfare across South Africa, is seeking an exceptional and highly experienced Program Director to lead their initiatives remotely. This leadership role is responsible for the strategic oversight, execution, and impact measurement of all social welfare programs. You will guide a dispersed team of professionals, ensuring high-quality service delivery and innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a proven history of success in program development and management within the social sector, adept at managing teams and projects entirely from a remote setting. This is a unique opportunity to drive substantial positive change nationwide, impacting countless lives from your home office, with significant influence over programs affecting communities in regions like the Western Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all social welfare programs nationwide.
• Develop and implement program strategies that align with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
• Oversee program budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and optimal resource allocation.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a geographically diverse team of program managers and staff.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program impact and effectiveness.
• Foster strong relationships with government agencies, community partners, and funding bodies.
• Drive innovation in program design and delivery, embracing best practices.
• Ensure compliance with all legal requirements and ethical standards.
• Prepare comprehensive reports for the executive board and stakeholders on program performance and outcomes.
• Champion the organization's mission and advocate for social welfare issues at a national level.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive leadership experience in the social welfare or non‑profit sector.
• Demonstrated success in designing, implementing, and scaling complex social programs.
• Exceptional strategic planning, operational management, and leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead and manage remote teams effectively.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience in securing large grants and building strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of social welfare policies and challenges in South Africa.
• Proficiency with modern collaboration and project management tools for remote work.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level salary.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and wellness programs.
• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape national social welfare policy.
• Work entirely remotely, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Lead impactful programs that touch lives across South Africa, including initiatives impacting the Western Cape.
• Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to creating lasting social change.