Program Director Job Description Summary

The Program Director stewards the heart of Cancer Lifelines work. This role exists to ensure that every program reflects our deepest commitments: compassion, dignity, inclusion, and presence. The Program Director leads with emotional intelligence, clarity, and caresupporting both the people we serve and the staff and facilitators who make our mission a living reality.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Program Director helps guide organizational strategy and daily decisions, translating vision into programs that are grounded, responsive, and deeply human.

This is a role for a gifted team-builder, someone who listens first, leads with integrity, and understands that healing communities require both structure and soul.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and steward a healthy internal workplace culture

• • Hire, train, mentor, and provide ongoing feedback to staff and contracted facilitators.
  • Build a resilient, connected program team through open communication and shared decision-making.
  • Meet semi-monthly with each member of the program team to support growth, alignment, and wellbeing.
  • Meet monthly with facilitators to nurture connection, clarity, and shared purpose.
  • Lead group conversations with empathy and steadiness to address questions, concerns, and feedback.
  • Create and sustain healthy internal communication across the organization.

Set Program Strategy and Direction

Set program goals aligned with Cancer Lifelines strategic direction, and implement programs from concept through completion, establishing timelines, milestones, and workflows.

• • Develop and manage program operations and budgets.
  • Design and apply evaluation strategies to assess impact, identify needs, and guide continuous improvement.

Develop and Strengthen Partnerships

• • Cultivate new relationships and steward existing partnerships with hospitals and community providers.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Director to ensure partners have clear, accessible materials and a strong understanding of Cancer Lifelines offerings.

Other Duties as Required, including:

• Step in to facilitate support groups when needed.
• Represent Cancer Lifeline with warmth and integrity at community events.
• Participate fully in staff and leadership meetings.
• Support fundraising efforts when requested.

Qualifications

• • LCSW or related credentials.
  • At least three years experience leading and supporting a team.
  • Training and experience in communication skills, especially active listening.
  • Experience in group facilitation
  • Emotionally intelligent, relationally grounded, and deeply human in approach.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Able to prioritize, organize, and carry out complex responsibilities with clarity.
  • Demonstrated personal maturity and steadiness in supporting people affected by cancer.
  • Flexible, collaborative team player.
  • Proficient with common office software (Outlook, Word, Excel).
  • Experience working with underserved populations preferred.