Homeless Services Director

About Sunrise: Since 2015, Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is the largest provider of homeless services in Travis County! We offer pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through low-barrier access to wraparound services by providing innovative, trauma-informed, and person-centered programming that engages our communities and leads system-wide transformation. Through the Sunrise Hub day center, Sunrise Hotline call center, Sunrise Mobile outreach and shelter services, and Sunrise Housing program we serve nearly 30,000 people experiencing housing insecurity each year.

Job Title: Day Center Director

Position Status: FT

Location: Hub

Compensation: $70,000 - $74,000 (additional compensation for Applicants who are bilingual in both the Spanish and English Language, for Master Level Social Workers and Social Workers with Licenses)

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Position Summary:

The Day Center Director oversees the strategic and operational functions of the Sunrise Hub and South Austin Navigation Center, as well as our Mobile street outreach teams. This role ensures the effective delivery of comprehensive services, including wellness programs, case management, client basic needs, and community housing navigation. The Director will manage all aspects of the day center and street outreach components of Sunrise’s work, including staff supervision, budget management, facilities oversight, and collaboration with partner agencies. This position requires a strong leader skilled in managing a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The Director is also responsible for program and budget management, grant and contract compliance, performance monitoring, and fulfilling contract obligations.

Position Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, social work, or related field preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit management, preferably in a homeless services and/or shelter management and operations preferred
• Demonstrated experience using trauma-informed and harm-reduction approaches
• Strong leadership skills with experience supervising diverse teams
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities

Position Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for day center and street outreach operations, ensuring alignment with Sunrise’s mission and values.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations, including staff, interns, PRNs, volunteers, and facilities.
• Oversee daily day center and street outreach staff meetings to ensure cohesive and effective service delivery.
• Supervise day center and street outreach Program Managers to ensure the safety, performance, cleanliness, and functionality of all day center facilities, including the client cafe, clothing and hygiene services, bathroom and shower operations, and mail services.

Supervision

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate day center and street outreach Program Managers to ensure day center staff, interns, and volunteers adhere to best practices.
• Maximize utilization of staffing allotted to programs under their care through training, continuing education, positioning, mentoring and more.
• Provide direct supervision for social work interns, if licensed.

Client Services

• Ensure the effective delivery of client-centered services, including wellness programs, case management, street outreach, computer lab, benefits application, crisis intervention, and community housing navigation.
• Oversee execution benefits applications, mail services, and other client resources.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with external agencies to enhance service offerings and support for clients.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality and high-volume performance in accordance with organizational strategy, goals and the best interest of our clients

Financial Management

• Manage day center and street outreach budgets, including oversight of Direct Client Assistance and program budgets.
• Oversee employee compliance, spending, purchasing and supply chain management.
• Assist in the annual budget planning process, ensuring responsible and effective use of resources.

Safety and Compliance

• Maintain and enforce safety protocols and procedures to ensure the well-being of clients, staff, and volunteers on all sites under their supervision
• Conduct regular safety audits and training sessions, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and funding requirements.
• Coordinate staff for safety and continuity of services in an extremely-low-barrier program environment.
• Oversee de-escalation and conflict mitigation in effective and strategic ways at supervised sites
• Maintain cooperative relationships with neighboring businesses, schools and neighborhoods who may be concerned with the effects of homelessness in the immediate areas around sites under their supervision.

Program Development

• Continuously evaluate program operations and services, identifying areas for improvement and growth.
• Lead efforts to expand day center services to additional sites, as needed.
• Collect and utilize client feedback to inform program development and enhance client outcomes.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to guide service delivery and compliance with regulations.
• Prepare and submit grant reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Monitor and meet program deliverables, including performance targets and outcomes.
• Ensure that all services are delivered with the highest ethical standards and in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with partner agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a contact point and relationship builder for businesses, schools and neighborhoods in proximity to supervised sites.
• Maintain a constructive and cooperative relationship with law enforcement.

Position Considerations:

• The Day Center Director will maintain a safe, confidential, and respectful work environment
• The Day Center Director will be proactive, creative, and flexible in addressing and resolving challenges
• The position is in-person each day at one of our day center sites or our downtown office
• The Day Center Director position may evolve as Sunrise expands, offering opportunities for growth and increased responsibility.
• The Day Center Director is required to attend staff meetings in person
• The Day Center Director will comply with and develop programs in accordance with Sunrise’s Strategic Plan
• The Day Center Director will support Sunrise’s goal to infuse belonging for participants and staff of all backgrounds in everything we do .

The Sunrise Experience: Benefits & More

Compensation is determined in accordance with Sunrise’s structured compensation framework, recognizing your skills, experience, credentials, and the impact you bring to the organization. In addition to base compensation, Sunrise offers structured salary differentials and stipends for:

• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish, English/French, or English/ASL)
• Advanced degrees and licensures, particularly in Social Work or other fields directly applicable to the role

Benefits for Full-Time Team Members

Sunrise offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you now and in the future:

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) each year
• Eight (8) paid holidays annually
• PPO Health and dental insurance (Employer Paid)
• Employer paid retirement contributions
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD) coverage
• Employee paid connectivity benefit for eligible roles
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and support
• Monthly team-building experiences and professional development trainings

Additional Details

• Benefit eligibility, PTO accruals, and holidays are prorated based on hire date and hours worked.
• Employer-paid retirement benefits are available to full-time employees only.
• Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $74,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• How long have you directly supervised managers or supervisors who oversee frontline staff?
• How many years of professional experience do you have managing nonprofit programs, community services, shelter operations, or similar service-based programs?
• Describe your experience responding to client crises, managing conflict, and supporting staff in maintaining safety within a low-barrier service environment.
• This position requires regular involvement in operational issues, including staffing coverage, facilities, client needs, de-escalation, and coordination across multiple teams. Are you comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational problem-solving?
• What experience do you have with grant compliance, contract requirements, performance metrics, or program reporting?

Ability to Relocate:

• Austin, TX 78745: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Austin, TX 78745