Senior Director for Programs

Job Overview: The Senior Director for Programs is a key leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction for IRC Washington’s program structure and compliance and promoting high-quality, trauma-informed, responsive, and equitable service provision and program implementation in both Seattle and Spokane offices. IRC Washington’s program departments include Children’s Legal Services, Early Employment, Economic Empowerment, Health & Wellness, Immigration Services, Refugee Resettlement, Survivor Services, Youth and Education, and a Grants Management team. The Senior Director for Programs will foster an inclusive, supportive, and equitable work environment which includes intentional support for staff development, well-being, opportunity, inclusion, and belonging throughout IRC Washington’s program departments, a staff of more than 100 team members. This role is also responsible for supporting improvements in quality-of-service provision, specifically in gender equity and trauma-informed, person-centered services, throughout IRC Washington’s programs.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Serve as a member of IRC Washington’s senior leadership team, participating in strategic discussions and decision-making
• Provide vision and strategic leadership to sustain and develop programming that is aligned with IRC Washington’s mission and strategy and responsive to client and community needs
• Provide leadership, support, and supervision to a team of 7-8 Director, Senior Manager, and Manager-level direct reports using IRC’s People Management Standards
• Offer accessible, equitable, and inclusive leadership for all IRC Washington staff members in order to promote staff well-being, belonging, development, and opportunity
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to promote an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace and ensure high-quality, trauma-informed service provision

Vision and Strategy

• Provide experienced-based, data-driven guidance and strategy around client- and community-responsive, strategic program planning
• Ensure program structures provide necessary support for strategy, staff, and client and community needs
• Align program strategy and structures with IRC Washington vision and strategic action plan
• In collaboration with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager and other team members, develop sustainable approaches to capturing client and community feedback and ensure client and community voice is included in program design and strategic planning
• Ensure that all program areas have strategic plans that will lead to the sustainability and growth of programming; support new project design and program development; and align with IRC Washington’s Strategic Action Plan and DEI Action Plan

Program Implementation, Monitoring, and Development

• Ensure close programmatic linkages between all IRC Washington programs and departments; proactively work to prevent program silos and implement processes and procedures that ensure participants are screened and connected to relevant programs throughout the organization
• In collaboration with program leads, ensure that program departments comply with all contractual & reporting requirements, achieve required outcomes, provide quality services and meet the needs of the participants and communities IRC serves
• Support quality data collection across all programs; support creation of reports and impact data to provide insight to internal and external stakeholders on IRC’s impact
• Ensure compliance with funder provisions and regulatory requirements including required data collection, reporting, and financial management
• In coordination with program staff, assist in the program development and design process of new program opportunities and ensure they align with organizational goals
• Work closely with program managers to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure successful execution
• Participate in program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the team

Technical Support

• Provide technical support and assistance in the strategy, design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of IRC Washington programming
• Act as technical advisor to programs around provision of trauma-informed, person-centered services, staff support and inclusive leadership, program design, development, and budget planning, and other relevant topics
• Support best practices for trauma-informed, accessible, person-centered, equitable, and high-quality services
• Coordinate delivery of technical training on program topics, leverage internal and external technical resources to expand IRC capacity

Advocacy

• Represent the organization at external events, conferences, and forums
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community leaders.

Financial Oversight

• Work closely with the Finance Manager, Grants Manager, and Program Leads on proposal budget development, grant spending, and potential funding concerns
• In partnership with Finance Manager and Program Leads, support development of regular operational budget forecasts
• Support programs to manage budgets, create and update spending plans, monitor budget vs. actuals, and ensure appropriate management of program funds

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Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Executive Director

Position directly supervises: Program Directors, Senior Managers, Managers; Grants Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC Washington Leadership Team, Senior Management Team, Finance Manager, Deputy Director of Operations, IRC Headquarters teams including Awards Management Unit, Program Quality and Innovation, Deputy Regional Director, and other relevant teams

External: Resettlement agencies, government officials, funding organizations and key community partners including State Office for Crime Victim Advocacy, Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, City of Seattle, King County, and others.

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Job Requirements:

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred
• In lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted
• 15 or more years of related professional experience in non-profit management, program development and management; preferably in a grant-driven social services or non-profit environment
• 15+ years of program management experience including experience with budget management and grant writing
• 10+ years of direct staff supervision and proven experience with promising practices in leadership, supervision, and staff development
• Demonstrated experience with successful proposal development and program implementation
• Demonstrated record of increasingly responsible roles in a mission and outcome driven environment
• Strong, demonstrated skill in donor compliance and donor relations
• Highly organized self-starter with proven success managing multiple priorities, making critical decisions and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Subject matter expertise in trauma-informed, person-centered service provision to immigrant and refugee clients; responsive program strategy, development, and implementation
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal funding sources
• Proven ability with grant writing and fund raising for direct service programs
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to comfortably and effectively speak in front of groups
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, conscientious, high degree of emotional intelligence and integrity
• Proven success achieving goals and working effectively with all levels of staff in a multicultural environment, ideally with some experience working with refugees or immigrants
• Self-directed and thorough in working with procedures, data entry/record keeping
• Good organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, keyboarding and internet navigation; monitoring and evaluation database experience a plus
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly

Working Environment:

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office)
• Access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area – mainly in and around King County, Washington
• Regular visits to Spokane, Washington

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Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.