Illumination Health + Home
Senior Director of People and Program Operations
Illumination Health + Home, Santa Ana, California, United States, 92725
“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.”
Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Health + Home (IH+H) is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IH+H currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
Job Description The
Senior Director of People and Program Operations
is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the strategic and hands-on management of the organization’s 24-hour recuperative care programs and the Human Resources department. This leader ensures high-quality service delivery, operational efficiency, and a healthy organizational culture through strong systems, staff development, and compliance oversight.
This role requires a mission-driven leader with experience in health or housing programs, deep knowledge of human resources, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic, client centered environment.
The salary range for this role is:
$120,000.00 - $140,000.00 , depending on experience. This is a primarily in-office position based in Santa Ana, with candidates having the option to work from home 1-2 days per week after their initial onboarding period.
Responsibilities Program Operations (Recuperative Care) – 30%
Provide direct oversight of day-to-day operations for all 24/7 recuperative care sites,ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, contracts, and licensing. Develop and implement operational protocols and workflows to ensure quality care,safety, and efficiency. Lead program directors and site managers; support staff performance, coverage, andongoing training needs. Track program metrics and outcomes; collaborate with quality assurance staff tomonitor performance indicators and implement improvements. Support program expansion and capacity-building efforts, including new site launchesand cross-agency partnerships. Serve as the primary liaison between executive leadership and program teams,ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Human Resources Oversight – 60%
Lead the HR department and oversee all HR functions including recruitment,onboarding, employee relations, training, performance management, andcompliance. Develop and track HR metrics to include: Monthly Employee turnover analysis monthly(voluntary/involuntary and reasons why), employee retention strategies, time to fillopen positions, leadership and supervisory employee relations and basic managementtraining. Foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work culture that reflects the values of theorganization. Partner with the CEO and leadership team on workforce planning and organizationaldevelopment. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and best practices. Manage HR vendors and consultants as needed (e.g., benefits, payroll, legal counsel). Support leadership development, coaching, and succession planning across departments. Organizational Leadership & Strategy – 10%
Participate in executive-level planning and decision-making; align operations and HRstrategy with organizational mission. Develop and manage budgets related to HR and program departments. Represent the organization in stakeholder meetings, funder site visits, and public forumsas needed. Expectations
We uphold the values of Community, Action, Respect, and Empowerment in all aspects of ourwork.
Community - We lead with the vision of a strengthened and compassionate community for all. Byembodying collective care, we serve as an example of what is possible when we cometogether. Action - Our “whatever it takes” mindset drives us forward. We take initiative, step in whereothers have stepped out, and create solutions when none exist. Respect -
We deeply value the dignity and uniqueness of every individual we serve. We honortheir stories, their journeys, and their right to be seen and heard. Empowerment -
We heal—always. Our work enables clients to grow stronger in health, confidence, andbelief in their potential as they move forward on their life journey.
Demonstrate the ability to motivate and support colleagues while adapting to newprocedures and promoting a positive, team-oriented culture. Maintain professional communication, responding to phone calls and emails in a courteousand timely manner. Set and model appropriate boundaries with clients while maintaining trust and rapport. Exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in line with IlluminationHealth + Home’s core values: integrity, transparency, accountability, respect, andresponsibility. Present oneself in accordance with Illumination Health + Home's dress code and professionalstandards. Model openness, honesty, and accountability in all interactions with clients, colleagues,leadership, volunteers, and external partners. Maintain strict confidentiality of client and organizational information. Accept personal responsibility and accountability for job performance and continuousimprovement. Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the needs of low-income and homelesspopulations. Exhibit effective interpersonal and communication skills, including tact, diplomacy, andactive listening. Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team, clients, and members of the public. Work independently, manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing prioritieswith minimal supervision Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, Social Work,or related field required. Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or healthcare operations,with at least 3 years overseeing HR functions or departments. Experience managing 24-hour or residential programs (e.g., recuperative care, shelters, skillednursing, behavioral health). Strong understanding of employment law, HR compliance, and staff development bestpractices. Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to build systems, lead through change, and manage teams with empathy and accountability. Preferred:
Master’s degree strongly preferred. Benefits Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Heatlh + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan Dental and Vision Insurance Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home Employee Assistance Program Professional Development Reimbursement 401K with Company Matching 15days vacation PTO/year 6 days sick PTO/year 10 days holiday PTO/year Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loan
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Job Description The
Senior Director of People and Program Operations
is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the strategic and hands-on management of the organization’s 24-hour recuperative care programs and the Human Resources department. This leader ensures high-quality service delivery, operational efficiency, and a healthy organizational culture through strong systems, staff development, and compliance oversight.
This role requires a mission-driven leader with experience in health or housing programs, deep knowledge of human resources, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic, client centered environment.
The salary range for this role is:
$120,000.00 - $140,000.00 , depending on experience. This is a primarily in-office position based in Santa Ana, with candidates having the option to work from home 1-2 days per week after their initial onboarding period.
Responsibilities Program Operations (Recuperative Care) – 30%
Provide direct oversight of day-to-day operations for all 24/7 recuperative care sites,ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, contracts, and licensing. Develop and implement operational protocols and workflows to ensure quality care,safety, and efficiency. Lead program directors and site managers; support staff performance, coverage, andongoing training needs. Track program metrics and outcomes; collaborate with quality assurance staff tomonitor performance indicators and implement improvements. Support program expansion and capacity-building efforts, including new site launchesand cross-agency partnerships. Serve as the primary liaison between executive leadership and program teams,ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Human Resources Oversight – 60%
Lead the HR department and oversee all HR functions including recruitment,onboarding, employee relations, training, performance management, andcompliance. Develop and track HR metrics to include: Monthly Employee turnover analysis monthly(voluntary/involuntary and reasons why), employee retention strategies, time to fillopen positions, leadership and supervisory employee relations and basic managementtraining. Foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work culture that reflects the values of theorganization. Partner with the CEO and leadership team on workforce planning and organizationaldevelopment. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and best practices. Manage HR vendors and consultants as needed (e.g., benefits, payroll, legal counsel). Support leadership development, coaching, and succession planning across departments. Organizational Leadership & Strategy – 10%
Participate in executive-level planning and decision-making; align operations and HRstrategy with organizational mission. Develop and manage budgets related to HR and program departments. Represent the organization in stakeholder meetings, funder site visits, and public forumsas needed. Expectations
We uphold the values of Community, Action, Respect, and Empowerment in all aspects of ourwork.
Community - We lead with the vision of a strengthened and compassionate community for all. Byembodying collective care, we serve as an example of what is possible when we cometogether. Action - Our “whatever it takes” mindset drives us forward. We take initiative, step in whereothers have stepped out, and create solutions when none exist. Respect -
We deeply value the dignity and uniqueness of every individual we serve. We honortheir stories, their journeys, and their right to be seen and heard. Empowerment -
We heal—always. Our work enables clients to grow stronger in health, confidence, andbelief in their potential as they move forward on their life journey.
Demonstrate the ability to motivate and support colleagues while adapting to newprocedures and promoting a positive, team-oriented culture. Maintain professional communication, responding to phone calls and emails in a courteousand timely manner. Set and model appropriate boundaries with clients while maintaining trust and rapport. Exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in line with IlluminationHealth + Home’s core values: integrity, transparency, accountability, respect, andresponsibility. Present oneself in accordance with Illumination Health + Home's dress code and professionalstandards. Model openness, honesty, and accountability in all interactions with clients, colleagues,leadership, volunteers, and external partners. Maintain strict confidentiality of client and organizational information. Accept personal responsibility and accountability for job performance and continuousimprovement. Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the needs of low-income and homelesspopulations. Exhibit effective interpersonal and communication skills, including tact, diplomacy, andactive listening. Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team, clients, and members of the public. Work independently, manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing prioritieswith minimal supervision Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, Social Work,or related field required. Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or healthcare operations,with at least 3 years overseeing HR functions or departments. Experience managing 24-hour or residential programs (e.g., recuperative care, shelters, skillednursing, behavioral health). Strong understanding of employment law, HR compliance, and staff development bestpractices. Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to build systems, lead through change, and manage teams with empathy and accountability. Preferred:
Master’s degree strongly preferred. Benefits Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Heatlh + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan Dental and Vision Insurance Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Health + Home Employee Assistance Program Professional Development Reimbursement 401K with Company Matching 15days vacation PTO/year 6 days sick PTO/year 10 days holiday PTO/year Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loan
#J-18808-Ljbffr