Senior Director of Program Operations

THE SALVATION ARMY

NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

JOB TITLE: Senior Director of Program Operations

PEOPLE MANAGER: Yes

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Social Services

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

PAY GRADE:   412

PAY RANGE:   $116,207 - $145,259

 

WHO WE ARE

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to “Doing the Most Good”. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Program Operations leads the divisional team responsible for connecting program sites to the administrative, financial, and organizational resources they need to deliver mission effectively, and for building the program development capacity that helps sites grow. The role holds strategy and authority for program development, case management standards, training, and the shared tools that support consistent service delivery across the Division. The Senior Director serves as the primary divisional resource for field connectivity and program development support, ensuring that every program site has a clear point of contact for administrative support and program growth. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director of Social Services and Regional Social Services personnel, the role ensures that program sites are effectively connected to Advancement, Business Administration, and Congregational Life and Ministry, and that Program Operations support reaches every active site through a regional service model spanning Northwest Illinois, Central Illinois, and Chicago.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to the following:

 

Capacity Leadership and Divisional Authority

• Sets direction for Program Operations across the Division, ensuring the function delivers on its purpose of connecting program sites to resources and building the capacity for programs to grow.
• Establishes the policies, procedures, and processes required for the function to meet its objectives and provide consistent, reliable support to program sites.
• Builds and maintains the standards, case management frameworks, and shared tools that enable consistent program delivery at the divisional, regional, and site levels.
• Anticipates and responds to changes in the social services program environment and positions functions to adapt accordingly.
• Ensures every active program site has a clear point of contact for administrative support and program development.

Program Development and Site Support

• Holds division-wide program development capability, including training, case management standards, and shared tools, and ensures these resources are available to all program sites.
• Builds local and regional program development capacity, equipping Regional Operations Coordinators, program directors, and site personnel with the frameworks, training, and tools needed to design, launch, and strengthen programs within their areas.
• Leads the development and ongoing improvement of program design and delivery frameworks that reflect best practices in human services and The Salvation Army’s mission priorities.
• Supports program sites in developing and scaling programs that are grounded in community need, aligned with divisional priorities, and structured for sustainable delivery.
• Develops and maintains shared program resources, tools, and protocols that standardize service delivery while allowing for appropriate local adaptation.
• Coordinates new program design and launch processes in partnership with the Executive Dir