SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HOUSING SOLUTIONS

Job Title: Senior Director of Housing Solutions

Department: Programs

Reports To: Executive Director 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Background Check (Y/N): Y

Location: Remote

Annual Salary Range: $215,000 $265,000

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Senior Director of Housing Solutions provides strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership for all behavioral health housing initiatives in partnership with the state and counties of California. This role oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of housing programs or initiatives designed to support behavioral health clients in preventing homelessness, finding opportunities for affordable and supportive housing, and improving outcomes for individuals and families served by the JPA’s member agencies.

The Senior Director partners closely with county Behavioral Health departments and collaborates with public agencies, community-based organizations, housing providers, funders, and state and federal partners. This role will help define coordinated housing solutions aligned with BHSA priorities and requirements while advancing the integration of housing and behavioral health.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategy that advances public behavioral health goals by integrating clinical, recovery-oriented, and supportive services into homelessness prevention efforts, supportive housing, and providing housing resources to behavioral health and SUD clients. 
• Identify emerging housing needs, policy changes, funding opportunities, and best practices to guide decision-making.
• Provide insight and recommendations to the Executive Director, Governing Board, and advisory committees on housing policy and program development.

Program Oversight and Management

• Oversee the planning, design, and execution of housing initiatives that support individuals with behavioral health needs, including housing navigation, supportive services, landlord engagement, rental assistance/transitional rent, and other housing allowed under the BHSA to promote stability and recovery.
• Serve as a liaison to counties for technical assistance and training offered by the JPA, and act as a subject matter expert for forums, workgroups, and events designed to educate and support county partners.
• Lead performance management for programs, including outcome tracking, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Manage complex, multi-agency contracts and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Partnership Development

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local jurisdictions, county housing authorities, CoCs (Continuums of Care), developers, service providers, and community-based organizations.
• Serve as a critical bridge between county Behavioral Health departments and local Continuums of Care (CoCs). Facilitate communication, alignment, and shared strategies to ensure individuals with behavioral health needs can access and sustain appropriate housing resources. 
• Strengthen cross-system coordination by helping to integrate clinical supports with housing interventions, improving outcomes across both systems.
• Represent the JPA in housing coalitions, state-level working groups, and community advisory bodies.
• Facilitate coordination to strengthen alignment between housing, behavioral health, managed care plans, and other social services systems.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor program team members
• Build a high-performing team that values collaboration, innovation, equity, and accountability.
• Promote a work environment aligned with CalMHSA’s values and commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Policy, Advocacy & Compliance

• Lead the development and implementation of housing-related policies, standards, and procedures.
• Track legislative and regulatory changes impacting housing, development, homelessness, and supportive services.
• Advocate for regional needs and priorities with state agencies, legislators, and other key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in housing, homelessness services, community development, or public administration.
• 5+ years of leadership experience supervising professional staff and managing complex programs.
• Experience working with or within public agencies, state or county governments, or regional collaboratives preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Deep understanding of affordable housing, homelessness systems of care, permanent supportive housing, and behavioral health-housing integration.
• Expertise in public funding streams (e.g., HOME, HUD programs, Behavioral Health housing funding, capital development financing).
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-engagement abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Demonstrate the ability to use a computer and applicable computer software effectively. Intermediate knowledge of Excel & Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, and Outlook. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, and respond appropriately through written or verbal form; demonstrate tactfulness when communicating including internal communication with staff members of all levels; ability to communicate with a variety of audiences effectively. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all measure units, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING: Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply common sense and follow through to daily tasks; demonstrate the ability to work with little or no supervision; demonstrate excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrate the ability to efficiently conduct research and ask appropriate probing questions to complete necessary tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; use phone and headset; use hands, arms, finders to type; answer phones; write; use calculator; demonstrate strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; demonstrate clear vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 

SENSORY DEMANDS: The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

MENTAL DEMANDS: There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant pressure. The incumbent must also attend to a wide variety of individuals regarding various topics/challenges.

REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE: Schedule varies depending on business needs; however, regular company business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.