Senior Director of Special Projects and Domestic Violence Services

Role: Senior Director of Special Projects and Domestic Violence Services

Reports to: Deputy Chief, Interim Housing    

Program: 1000-Interim Housing

Department: Interim Housing 

Location: Sojourn - 1453 16th Street, 1st Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90404 

Las Palmas -1738 N. Las Palmas Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Dusk - 7051 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Setting: Not 100% Onsite

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Hybrid (2 days WFH, 3 days Onsite)

Status: Full-time/Exempt/Management

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Openings: 1

Job Description Summary:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief, Interim Housing, the Senior Director of Special Projects and Domestic Violence Services will be responsible for the oversight, direction, and supervision of key internal and external functions across interim housing operations, special projects, and domestic violence services. This role provides strong day-to-day administrative and programmatic leadership to ensure high-quality, performance-based programs, efficient operations, and successful outcomes across facilities and services, including interim housing sites, 24/7 hotline services, crisis and emergency shelter, second-stage shelter, support services, legal clinics, community education and outreach, and domestic violence regional coordination.

The position is responsible for maintaining the highest quality services and programming efficiency while fostering teamwork, staff development, and leadership across diverse program teams located at shelters, drop-in sites, interim housing facilities, and administrative offices. The Senior Director will also assist the Deputy Chief, Interim Housing, with the development of new program sites, including staff configuration, program design, recruitment, and staff training. This role includes oversight of operations, high-level contract management, outcome measurement and monitoring, and collaboration with key partners such as the Domestic Violence Council, Domestic Violence Alliance, the City of Santa Monica, the City of Los Angeles, County entities, community members, homeless service organizations, victim service providers, and other partner agencies.

Job Description Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for the leadership, management and budgetary oversight of all Sojourn programming and facilities.
  • As the Subject Matter Expert on Domestic Violence (DV) services and resources, serve as a consultant to agency-wide department heads and the Executive Leadership team to inform policies and protocols with best practices related to DV services as they relate to all departments and programs within the organization.
  • Work with agency-wide department heads and the Executive Leadership team to ensure standards are being upheld throughout the organization on an ongoing basis, e.g. as it relates to Information Technology, outcomes and financial data storage and collection, internal and external communication standards, etc.
  • Oversee services and contracts with government and private funders for the program, ensuring compliance with all funding agreements.
  • In collaboration with senior leadership, develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems necessary to maintain high-quality programs and services, and to ensure adequate controls and outcomes information.
  • Develop and plan strategically for future programmatic needs and community partnerships. Responsible for helping develop and oversee all program budgets and physical forecasting, ensuring that all programs are adequately funded and allocated funds are spent appropriately and in a timely manner.
  • Oversee program data collection and ensure timely reporting of compliance and contract activities for funding sources.  Responsible for writing and submitting (in conjunction with grant writing / development staff) all interim and progress reports to funders. Prepare written reports and complete related projects as requested.
  • Assist with gathering necessary documentation for RFP process when funding opportunities are identified.
  • Maintain expert knowledge of procedures for billing, reporting, and documentation, including requirements for maintaining client files and records.
  • Conduct ongoing record review and client file management for quality assurance and audit preparation.
  • Assist with program/fiscal audits and monitoring visits.
  • Attend trainings, present or coordinate trainings for Sojourn’s 40-hour “Domestic Violence Counselor” Training per California Evidence Code §1037.1, Sojourn’s staff and volunteers, donors and funders, or any other partner and community organization.
•  Use a Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First methodology to ensure that participants are supported in fleeing domestic violence and preventing or ending their homelessness by securing or remaining housed.
  • Collaborate and partner with CES system or facilitate advocacy within homeless organizations as necessary to ensure most vulnerable are being matched to best-fit housing.
  • Work in collaboration with staff to identify appropriate services for each individual or family's needs, and remove barriers affecting victims of domestic violence, including placement in permanent housing and long-term housing retention.
  • Provide and oversee onsite crisis intervention, as needed.
• Provide individual and team supervision, support, and performance evaluations for assigned staff, and assist with small and larger team case conference.
  • Hire and recruit essential personnel.
  • Work with Program Managers, and Program Coordinators to ensure that the shelters and drop-in sites are clean, safe and well-maintained.
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive, integrated care to individuals and families dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, homelessness, medical conditions, mental illness, and substance addiction.
  • Ensure effective, confidential collaboration between multiple teams and community partners, including cross-team communication, and shared resources and referrals, in order to ensure integration of services.
  • Participate in all internal meetings, trainings and Leadership activities as necessary or required.  
  • Attend trainings, present or coordinate trainings for Sojourn’s 40-hour “Domestic Violence Counselor” Training per California Evidence Code §1037.1, Sojourn’s staff and volunteers, donors and funders, or any other partner and community organization.
  • Serve as a liaison and point of contact for a wide array of stakeholders including the Resource Board, donors and funders, public officials, law enforcement, District Attorney, the Santa Monica courthouse, Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), and members of the community.
  • Represent the agency at outside functions and meetings, including meetings requested by the Domestic Violence Council, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, the Domestic Violence Alliance, the Domestic Violence and Homeless Services Coalition, Housing + Community Investment Department Los Angeles (HCID LA), Santa Monica City, Housing Authorities, HSH, LAHSA, and other funders.
  • Conduct ongoing trainings to staff on best practices, updated resources, policies and protocols, and any other essential, emerging information. 

Job Description Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in human services related field (Social Work, MFT, or Psychology) preferred or relevant experience
• Minimum five years of management and program leadership experience in a nonprofit setting serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or other vulnerable populations, and/or individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorders.
• Demonstrated experience in program administration, program development, strategic planning, budgeting, contract and grant oversight, and supervision of program budgets.
• At least five years of experience hiring, training, supervising, managing, and evaluating staff.
• Must have already completed, or be willing to complete, the 40-hour “Domestic Violence Counselor” training.
• Strong understanding of domestic violence resources, mental health issues, trauma-informed care principles, nonprofit service provision, and nonprofit administration.
• Demonstrated ability to develop new programs, including strategy development, budgeting, staffing design, hiring, and implementation.
• Ability to participate in oversight of contracts and grants and support efforts to raise and sustain funding for domestic violence and related service programs.
• Must be available to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work independently and creatively.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communication, team building, and computer skills.
• Entrepreneurial attitude, with excellent leadership, consensus-building, and analytical skills, and the ability to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Current, valid California Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record and auto insurance.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and database applications.

Job Description Work Environment:

• Field (may need to travel) and indoor office environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites.
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor.
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day.