Deputy Director, Programs
Samaritans, Inc.
Job Description
Samaritans, Inc. is the leading suicide prevention organization in Massachusetts, providing lifesaving services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Samaritans envisions a world without suicide. Our mission is to prevent suicide and offer hope and support to those affected. For nearly 50 years, Samaritans volunteers - selected, trained, and supported by a dedicated professional staff - have provided compassionate and non-judgmental support, free of charge, to callers through its Helpline, and now to texters as well.
This growing organization provides prevention, intervention, and postvention services that make our communities healthier and happier, and reduces the stigma associated with suicide and mental health concerns. We provide a working environment that celebrates the positive lifesaving work that occurs here each and every day.
Samaritans works to prevent suicide and support those who have lost someone to suicide throughout Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts. Our services are free, confidential, and nonjudgmental. We are in downtown Boston.
Our organization is growing and expanding! Starting in 2022, 988 became the nationwide, easy-to-remember 3-digit dialing code for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health counselors. Samaritans is one of the organizations answering those calls. We can listen and support even more people who reach out for help.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
As Samaritans nears 50 years of service, our core programming continues to grow and expand. With the adoption of 988, creation of Hey Sam, and growth of our Suicide Grief Support Services and Community Education and Outreach Programs, Samaritans has considerably expanded its ability to deliver services and reach people worldwide.
The Deputy Director of Programs provides leadership and oversight to all of Samaritans core programs and fosters a positive and supportive environment for staff and volunteers. The Deputy Director works with executive leadership to enhance existing programs through developing best practices, creating departmental plans and goals, and measuring program results.
The Deputy Director will bring proven nonprofit management expertise and experience in operations, mental health and community-based programs, youth development, advocacy/organizing. The Deputy Director must have a keen attention to detail, the ability to delegate effectively, a proven track record in motivating and unifying teams, and have solid organizational, problem-solving, and clear decision-making skills. The Deputy Director will be comfortable with and committed to fostering the development of staff and identifying opportunities and challenges and works across departments and teams to come up with highly innovative solutions.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Demonstrates knowledge in the field of suicide prevention and mental health
- Expertise in suicide prevention and mental health, staying informed about the latest developments, regulations and best practices
- Trauma informed service delivery
- The grief process and the impact of grief on families
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire others effectively
- Develop and implement plans and objectives for the entire department in a strategic, effective and innovative fashion
- Maintain compliance with external regulations and internal policies
- Evaluate and assess program efficiency and report progress to executive team and board in meeting department objectives
- Manage department staffing needs (e.g. interviewing, hiring, new hire and ongoing training, annual evaluations, etc.)
- Participate in budget development and monitoring of expenses
- Establish and support Samaritans as a thought leader in the suicide prevention and postvention field through participation in events, conferences, papers, etc.
- Monitor program outcomes and impact, making data driven decisions to improve the program delivery
- Provide leadership support to staff members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work culture
- Serve as a key member on the leadership team, participating in organizational planning and decision making
Please Note: We have often hired those that do not meet the exact requirements but that we found to be a great culture fit and have the relevant experience to be successful in the role. Please consider applying if this is you.
WHAT YOU'LL HAVE:
- Minimum of five years of leadership experience in a social service agency or human services setting
- Minimum of five years of management/supervisory experience
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations to volunteers, staff, industry peers, board members, donors and others as required
- Adept at interacting with others in person, over the phone, on zoom, or via email
- Resolving conflicts and internal issues appropriately, providing difficult feedback to volunteers
- Strong analytical thinking and organizational skills
- Detail oriented and able to accomplish tasks within prescribed time frames
SALARY & BENEFITS
• Minimum starting salary is $120,000 and will be set based on experience and skill set
• Employer matched 401(k) Plan
• Short and Long-Term Disability coverage as well as Life Insurance
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Healthcare and Childcare FSA, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Vacation (New hires start with 10 days), Sick (8 days) and Personal Time Off
(5 days)
• Paid Family Medical Leave benefits
• Travel Reimbursement
• 14 paid holidays
• Direct deposit payroll
• Employer matched 401(k) Plan
• Short and Long-Term Disability coverage as well as Life Insurance
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Healthcare and Childcare FSA, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Vacation (New hires start with 10 days), Sick (8 days) and Personal Time Off
(5 days)
• Paid Family Medical Leave benefits
• Travel Reimbursement
• 14 paid holidays
• Direct deposit payroll
Samaritans' employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain an approved
medical or religious exemption. An offer is contingent upon proof that the candidate is
fully vaccinated or qualifies for an exemption. All employees are working a hybrid
schedule with an average of 2 days per week in the office, after a period of onboarding
for new hires.
medical or religious exemption. An offer is contingent upon proof that the candidate is
fully vaccinated or qualifies for an exemption. All employees are working a hybrid
schedule with an average of 2 days per week in the office, after a period of onboarding
for new hires.
**Out of state applicants will be required to relocate to Massachusetts within six months
of employment and also work the same hybrid schedule as all employees.