Director of Homeless Housing Programs in Phoenix, Arizona at Native American Connections

MISSION:

Our mission, grounded in traditional Native American culture, is to reduce health disparities by delivering high-quality comprehensive integrated healthcare and providing stable housing throughout the communities we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Native American Connections (NAC) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to oversee a diverse continuum of housing and homeless services that transform lives across Maricopa County.

The Director of Homeless Housing Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for NAC's housing programs, including Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), supportive housing, outreach, homelessness services, bridge housing, shelter, transitional housing, and youth-focused programs. This leader is responsible for driving program excellence, strengthening staff performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing innovative solutions that support housing stability and long-term success for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The Director serves as a key member of the Housing Services leadership team, directly supervising managers and supervisors while partnering across the organization to align housing services with NAC's mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. This position requires a highly collaborative leader who can balance operational excellence, staff development, community engagement, and system-level leadership within Arizona's homeless response system.

The ideal candidate is passionate about ending homelessness, excels at developing high-performing teams, and possesses deep knowledge of housing programs, community partnerships, and funding systems that support vulnerable populations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Operations

· Provide leadership and operational oversight for NAC's homeless services, outreach, shelter, bridge, transitional, and supportive housing programs.

· Supervise and support Housing Program Managers, Supervisors, and other assigned staff to ensure high-quality service delivery and program performance.

· Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of service models, operational standards, policies, and procedures.

· Ensure programs operate in accordance with trauma-informed care practices, and culturally responsive service delivery models.

· Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and outcome-focused management practices across all assigned programs.

· Promote innovation, collaboration, and continuous quality improvement throughout Housing Services.

· Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout housing programs and service sites.

Strategic Planning & Program Development

· Collaborate with the Senior Director of Real Estate Development to develop and implement strategic goals and departmental priorities.

· Identify opportunities to improve housing outcomes, service effectiveness, operational efficiency, and client engagement.

· Participate in the planning, startup, expansion, and implementation of new housing and homeless service initiatives.

· Evaluate program performance data and implement strategies that improve outcomes and align with organizational objectives.

· Identify service gaps and recommend innovative solutions to address emerging community needs.

Staff Development & Performance

· Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and develop high-performing staff and emerging leaders.

· Foster a positive workplace culture centered on accountability, respect, collaboration, and professional growth.

· Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, support, and feedback.

· Ensure compliance with NAC personnel policies and progressive disciplinary procedures.

· Create opportunities for staff development, succession planning, and leadership advancement.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

· Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, contractual, and organizational requirements.

· Monitor adherence to HUD regulations, Continuum of Care requirements, grant agreements, funding expectations, and NAC policies.

· Oversee quality assurance activities, program monitoring, audits, corrective action plans, and regulatory reviews.

· Review program documentation, case plans, HMIS data, grievances, and incident reports to ensure quality and compliance standards are maintained.

· Ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of reports, performance measures, and funding deliverables.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

· Develop and maintain productive relationships with funders, government agencies, service providers, housing partners, and community leaders.

· Collaborate with Property Management, Integrated Healthcare, Medical Services, Compliance, Data & Outcomes, Finance, and Development teams to ensure coordinated service delivery.

· Serve as an advocate for housing stability, homelessness reduction, and equitable access to services.

Financial & Resource Management

· Collaborate with leadership and finance teams to support budget planning, monitoring, and fiscal accountability.

· Monitor program expenditures and resource utilization to ensure effective stewardship of funding sources.

· Assist with grant development, implementation, reporting, program sustainability efforts, and funding opportunities.

· Ensure staffing and resources are aligned with program goals and community needs.

Other Duties

· Perform other duties as assigned in support of NAC's mission and organizational objectives.

EDUCATIONAL/WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

· Must possess a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a business or social services discipline. Masters preferred. Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.

· Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in housing services, homeless services, social services, community-based programs, or related human services fields.

· Minimum three (3) years of experience supervising managers, supervisors, or multidisciplinary teams.

· Experience overseeing federally, state, or locally funded programs.

· Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, or other vulnerable populations.

SKILLS REQUIREMENT:

· Comprehensive knowledge of Housing First, Permanent Supportive Housing, low-barrier shelter operations, outreach services, and homeless response systems.

· Strong understanding of HUD regulations, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, Continuum of Care programs, housing navigation, and supportive services.

· Knowledge of Fair Housing laws, Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and housing-related compliance requirements.

· Excellent leadership, team building, coaching, and professional development skills.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high levels of accountability and performance.

· Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

· Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to analyze program data, identify trends, and implement effective solutions.

· Ability to successfully collaborate across departments and lead through influence.

· Commitment to equity, cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and person-centered practices.

· Understanding and appreciation of Native American traditions, cultures, and communities, or willingness to learn.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· Able to sit, stand and walk with/without accommodation.

· Ability to travel between NAC facilities, housing sites, community meetings, and partner locations as needed.

What Makes NAC Different

· Purpose-Driven Mission rooted in Native American values, culture, and community wellness.

· Opportunity to Lead Meaningful Change across a diverse housing and homeless services continuum.

· Collaborative Leadership Team committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and community impact.

· Integrated Service Model combining housing, integrated healthcare, and supportive services.

· Culture of Inclusion and Respect that values diverse perspectives and professional growth.

· Ability to Influence Systems-Level Change through partnerships with local, tribal, state, and federal stakeholders.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE:

Preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians according to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, CFR 25 USC 472. Other than Indian Preference, Native American Connections, Inc. adheres to all provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE:

Native American Connections is a drug-free workplace with safety-sensitive jobs. Use of alcohol and legal or illegal drugs may impair and alter employees' judgement resulting in increased safety risks, workplace injuries, and faulty decision making. Reporting to work at NAC after use of alcohol, a controlled substance, or abuse of any other substance is absolutely prohibited.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT:

This position is considered to be Exempt for overtime pay provisions as provided by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and any applicable state laws. Non-Exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per workweek