Director of Sierra Center

The Director of the Sierra Center is a seasoned, mission-driven leader responsible for implementing the overall strategic direction, operational excellence, and community integration of the Sierra Center's comprehensive service continuum - including emergency shelter, client intake services, transitional housing, crisis hotline, and legal services. This senior-level role requires a dynamic leader who can translate organizational vision into measurable program outcomes while cultivating the external relationships and funding streams necessary for long-term sustainability.

The Director serves as a key organizational ambassador, working in close partnership with the Chief Program Officer, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors to advance the Sierra Center's mission and ensure the highest quality of care for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Program Performance

• Partner with executive leadership to develop, implement, and continuously refine a multi-year strategic plan for the Sierra Center and its affiliated programs, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and goals.
• Identify emerging trends, service gaps, and opportunities in survivor services to inform program innovation, growth, and long-term sustainability.
• Establish, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across all programs; use data to drive decision-making and report outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and present comprehensive program reports, outcome data, and strategic updates to the Board of Directors; participate in relevant board committee work.

Fund Development & Financial Stewardship

• Collaborate closely with the Development team to support fundraising strategies, including identifying, cultivating, and stewarding grants, donors, and strategic partnerships.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of local, state, and federal funding streams for trauma-informed, survivor-centered services.
• Participate in fundraising events and initiatives that enhance the Sierra Center’s visibility and financial sustainability.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual program budget in coordination with the Chief Program Officer and Finance team.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day operations of all Sierra Center programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, accreditation standards, grant requirements, internal policies, and appropriate staffing levels.
• Develop, implement, and regularly evaluate policies and procedures that promote client safety, trauma-informed practice, and staff well-being.
• Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of all program records, including client files, statistical data, grant reports, and documentation required for audits, fidelity reviews, and board reporting.

Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance evaluations for assigned program staff; recruit, onboard, and retain a high-performing, mission-aligned team.
• Oversee the management and engagement of program volunteers.
• Partner with executive leadership to design and implement professional development opportunities that build staff capacity in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and best practices.
• Lead regular staff meetings and foster a team culture grounded in psychological safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Community Engagement & Representation

• Serve as a primary organizational representative and relationship-builder with community partners, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, legal systems, schools, faith communities, and other service providers.
• Represent the Sierra Center on relevant coalitions, task forces, and advisory bodies at the local, regional, and state levels.
• Design and lead outreach and community education initiatives that raise awareness of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking, positioning the Sierra Center as a trusted community resource.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader both internally and within the broader regional landscape.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to steward and support staff, engage boards, and represent the organization credibly in public and professional settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong fiscal literacy and experience managing working with multi-source program budgets
• Strategic thinker with the ability to engage in long-term vision casting while managing near-term operational demands
• Deep knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centered service models and best practices in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and/or human trafficking
• Skilled relationship-builder and networker with a genuine commitment to community collaboration
• Ability to bring sustainable innovation and problem solving to areas of need
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfort with data-driven decision-making
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social work, Psychology, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required
• Master’s degree in Social work, Psychology, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, or a related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in human services, with at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership or program director role
• Demonstrated experience with board engagement, fundraising, budget oversight, and strategic planning
• Valid CA driver’s license and current auto insurance
• Must be able to pass a livescan and background clearance

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.

This position requires the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in trainings and community events. The employee must be able to move throughout office and community-based environments, including navigating stairs and various building layouts.

The role may involve occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of materials weighing up to 25 pounds, either independently or with assistance. Frequent use of hands and fingers is required to operate computers, phones, and standard office equipment.

The employee must be able to communicate effectively and clearly, including the ability to speak, hear, and exchange information in person and via telephone or virtual platforms. Visual acuity is required to read documents, review data, and perform administrative and supervisory tasks.

This position may require occasional local travel for meetings, trainings, outreach activities, or community events.

Rate of Pay:

$95,000–$105,000 per year, depending on experience; exempt status

Who We Are:

One SAFE Place and Children’s Legacy Center are separate legal entities. Arch Collaborative is a fictitious business name (DBA) of Children’s Legacy Center. Under the DBA Arch Collaborative, and a signed management services agreement, Children’s Legacy Center assist’s One SAFE Place with operations and enhances OSP’s impact. Through One SAFE Place’s participation in Arch Collaborative, we have created a network of organizations that respond effectively to trauma, violence, and exploitation in our community while maintaining the legal status of each organization.

One SAFE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We encourage applications from historically underrepresented communities and individuals with lived experience relevant to our mission. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (530) 768-1880.

One Safe Place is an At-Will Employer