Fast Facts

St. Francis House is seeking a passionate and innovative Director of Workforce Development to lead their workforce development department, focusing on helping vulnerable individuals achieve employment and stability.

Responsibilities: The Director will oversee the department's operations, develop innovative initiatives for increasing participant income, manage staff, ensure interdepartmental collaboration, and maintain relationships with external partners.

Skills: Candidates should have experience in workforce development, program management, and a strong background in direct service, particularly with those experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include 5+ years in non-profit management, 2+ years in workforce development roles, and a Bachelor's degree; a Master's degree is highly valued.

Location: The position is based in Boston, MA, requiring in-person presence Monday through Friday, with potential evening or weekend commitments.

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $75,000 - $110,000.

Are you interested in leading the workforce development department for one of Boston’s premier social service agencies?

St. Francis House (SFH) rebuilds lives by providing refuge and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty. They seek a high-energy, innovative, passionate Director of Workforce Development to oversee a dynamic team committed to helping individuals who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness find employment.

The Workforce Development program offers tailored workforce readiness services to individuals by exploring career pathways, setting achievable goals, and providing guidance and case management support in a healing, growth-oriented setting. The programs integrate with SFH’s housing and behavioral health programming to address the comprehensive needs of their guests, all under one roof.

Major Responsibilities

• Oversee the Workforce Development Department, which includes both individual and instructional services focused on helping individuals in their goals of maximizing income through employment and benefits
• Develop and implement new and innovative initiatives to increase participant income and create career pathways
• Provide consistent supervision and ongoing support to direct reports
• Provide direct services and interventions with complex cases, including coaching and guiding staff, and providing coverage to classes when necessary
• Develop, lead, and manage a program model of service that is integrated with other SFH programs and services, and reflects the three components of SFH’s Philosophy of Care: person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed
• Serve as SFH’s primary point of contact for any workforce development related contract compliance and renewals
• Ensure strong interdepartmental collaboration and communication and foster an understanding of the department’s individual and collective contributions to the larger vision within all programs and services at SFH
• Cultivate collaborative partnerships with other Continuum of Care providers with a goal of promoting and integrating employment services as a part of housing attainment plans
• Create and provide oversight of Workforce Development Department budgets
• Maintain a current knowledge base of trends, key issues, best practices and resources related to assisting homeless adults in obtaining employment
• Contribute to grant proposals by providing key data regarding workforce development
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with public agencies, private employers and other WFD programs

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience managing a non-profit direct services program- overseeing complex service delivery, program implementation and supervising a diverse team
• 2+ years of experience in a role that incorporates key workforce development elements, such as employment readiness, job training, career development, and/or job placement
• 2+ years of experience working directly with people experiencing homelessness required
• Desire to work in a dynamic homeless-services environment and to infuse the service delivery with trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered principles
• Lived experience of homelessness and/or recovery a plus
• Proficient in English
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social work, counseling, social sciences, public health, education, or nonprofit management preferred
• Live within commuting distance of SFH’s downtown Boston location (Monday-Friday in-person role, with the possibility of some evenings or weekends as needed, and as planned and scheduled in advance)

Since 1984, St. Francis House’s programs have served those experiencing homelessness and poverty. They offer a comprehensive array of services, all available under one roof, available 365 days of the year. They transform lives using a holistic approach to understand and address behavioral health, housing, and employment needs.

The St. Francis House Philosophy of Care is committed to providing trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care. It guides everything SFH does – how they work with Guests and how they work together as an entire agency and community. Each staff person is expected to learn, understand, and apply these principles in their everyday work.

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The Renaissance Network (TRN) is an equal opportunity employer. TRN complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws