Description

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Director of Job Development and Entrepreneurship is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and leadership of the job development and entrepreneurship program. This entails case management, collecting data, reporting on program activities, and administrative tasks. The Director will provide leadership supervision and work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team and community partners to cultivate relationships that lead to job opportunities for participants, ensuring they become economically secure and/or acquire the skills needed to launch their own small businesses. Additionally, the Director will manage the daily operations of the program, conduct regular meetings with facilitators and assistants to address issues proactively, recruit employers, administer assessments, maintain knowledge of community resources, and collaborate on grant proposals and budget management. Supervisory duties include overseeing staff, volunteers, and interns. This position oversight of two prongs: 1) Job Development and Training and 2) Entrepreneurship Business Intensive Training.

Job Development – The Director of Job Development and Entrepreneurship will work with each participant’s case manager to assess the participant’s needs as they relate to identifying education and employment needs, developing employment goals and plans with the participant, and conducting Community Outreach, to create job opportunities for the participants with companies that can provide stable jobs with livable wages for the participants. The Director of Job Development and Entrepreneurship will create and conduct job prep training, recruit potential employer partnerships, and support participants in securing employment. They will also provide ongoing feedback to participants and their case manager on their progress and coordinate monthly celebrations to honor the participants’ accomplishments. 

Entrepreneurship – The Director of Job Development and Entrepreneurship will also provide oversight of the SUSLA program by working collaboratively with the SUSLA facilitator to identify candidates for the program, conduct pre- and post- tests to determine efficacy of the program and provide support to the facilitator and participants, ensuring success of the program. This will include identifying mentors among the volunteer base at Alexandria House that can provide support to participants in areas identified by the participant and facilitator, making available incentives to motivate consistency in attendance and completion, and problem solving when issues arise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Manage daily operations in Job Development and Entrepreneurship and provide strong program leadership in support of all other program services provided.
• Meet bi-weekly with SUSLA facilitator and assistant to ensure success of program, problem solve issues as they arise and proactively plan for the needs of the program in a timely manner.
• Recruit employers who provide livable wages to engage participants in employment opportunities. Maintain regular contact with such employers to ensure the success of the participant’s placement with the employer. Problem-solve when issues arise to maintain the stability of the job placement.
• Develop and administer pre- and post- tests to SUSLA participants to ensure efficacy of the program.
• Maintain strong understanding of community housing resources, mental health issues, education and employment resources, and state and county resources available for people experiencing homelessness.
• Develop and maintain strong interventions for Job Development and Entrepreneurship program that stem from the framework of trauma informed, strength based, empowerment and which centers the needs of women.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with staff from local and state resources to aid participants in the admission and application procedures for benefits, housing, education, internship, and employment programs.  Develop relationships with outside service providers and agencies to network and collaborate.
• Engage in “funding together” with the Development Department in preparing grant proposals, providing data, sharing participant stories to promote the program. Regularly reevaluate programming to ensure that it meets the needs of the participants and produces positive outcomes.
• Monitor program budget and any grants/contracts awarded for the programs. Provide recommendations for budget modifications as needed. Manage all petty cash and gift card requests and tracking systems.
• Serve as a liaison of Alexandria House when attending community meetings or forums on issues centering on homelessness, human trafficking, domestic violence, and employment support for individuals with lived experience. 
• Participate as part of Alexandria House’s Leadership team.  Attend weekly supervision meetings with the Executive Director. Collaborate on special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, social work or a related field is preferred. As an alternative, four years providing job training and placement support and/or an equivalent combination of certification relevant experience will substitute for a degree.
• Preferred qualifications include a minimum of two years of supervisory experience, along with a background in community-based programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, domestic violence, or in education/employment services. The ideal candidate should demonstrate proficiency in both independent work and teamwork, fostering positive relationships with colleagues, participants, community partners, and the wider community. Additional assets include experience in conflict resolution, collaborative problem-solving, case management, crisis management, and working collaboratively across agencies and systems.
• Must exercise the application of independent authority, enabling the individual to make self-directed decisions that prioritize the well-being of both the program and its participants. An extensive understanding of employment services, trauma-informed practices, conflict resolution techniques, and collaborative problem-solving approaches is essential for success in this role. Additionally, strong organizational acumen is required to navigate the complexities of program administration and participant support. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, coupled with proficient computer literacy, are paramount for effective collaboration, documentation, and reporting.
• Fluency in Spanish is required given the population we serve.
• Valid California Driver's License and good driving record.