SFH VP of Programs and Services Overview

www.stfrancishouse.org March 2026

POSITION OVERVIEW

Vice President of Programs and Services St. Francis House Boston, MA

Introduction St. Francis House (SFH) seeks a seasoned, mission-driven human services leader to join its executive team in ensuring vital services for some of Boston’s most vulnerable individuals.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President of Programs and Services will oversee the organization’s core program areas and help ensure the continued delivery of high-impact, person-centered services.

Leading a team of program directors responsible for more than 100 staff, the Vice President drives the quality and integration of services across SFH’s program areas. In partnership with executive colleagues, this key role helps ensure that services remain coordinated, effective, and responsive to the complex needs of the individuals SFH serves.

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Mission St. Francis House rebuilds lives by providing refuge and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty – with a commitment to helping those it serves achieve renewed lives of dignity and self-determination.

About SFH St. Francis House is the Commonwealth’s largest day shelter for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty, serving up to 600 individuals each day, year-round, across two downtown Boston locations. For more than four decades, the organization has provided comprehensive services designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness on their path toward stability and independence.

The organization recently completed a $74 million comprehensive campaign supporting expanded programming and major facility improvements, including the full renovation of its flagship site at 39 Boylston Street. These investments have strengthened SFH’s ability to deliver services in a welcoming, traumainformed environment.

Driven by a growth mindset and a deep commitment to collaboration, SFH is also helping address Boston’s housing crisis through new initiatives and partnerships.

Expanding its downtown campus, it is co-developing—and will serve as the service provider for—a nearby 19-story residential tower that will provide 126 units of affordable housing, including 70 units for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

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A Legacy of Growth and Innovation Founded 42 years ago in downtown Boston, St. Francis House has grown from a simple breadline into a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive services for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty.

This spirit of innovation is also reflected in the environments where services are delivered. For example, St. Francis House recently completed a comprehensive renovation of its Daytime Services Center at 39 Boylston Street.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Karen LaFrazia, the organization has experienced transformational growth, expanding its programs, facilities, and housing initiatives while advancing innovative approaches to recovery, employment, and long-term housing stability.

Using a trauma informed design and incorporating input from staff and guests, the renovated space reflects the organization’s person-centered philosophy of care. Flexible layouts, choice-based services, and welcoming spaces enhance the guest experience.

During her 29-year tenure, LaFrazia has championed multiple comprehensive campaigns to expand services, strengthen infrastructure, and increase access to housing.

Throughout its history, SFH has launched pioneering programs to address the intersecting challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, including specialized services for women, recovery support services, and integrated behavioral health initiatives.

Today, the organization continues to build on this legacy through a comprehensive service model that supports individuals from crisis to stability, recovery, and housing.

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Karen Lafrazia President and CEO

Karen LaFrazia has guided St. Francis House through nearly three decades of transformational growth, expanding programs, facilities, and housing initiatives while advancing innovative approaches to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.

Organizational Culture and Core Values St. Francis House is grounded in a culture of mutual respect, adaptability, and service. Staff across the organization share a commitment to meeting guests with dignity while supporting pathways to stability, recovery, and independence.

This culture is reflected in the organization’s coordinated approach to service delivery. Staff work across program areas to ensure guests receive the resources needed to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives.

Organizational Chart VP, PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Rigidity is unacceptable. Instead, a service mindset, attention to detail, and teamwork are essential traits at all levels of the organization.

A deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion informs both the workplace culture and the delivery of services. From the Board of Directors to front-line staff, SFH believes that diversity of background, experience, and perspective strengthens the organization and enhances its ability to serve the community.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOUSING DAY SHELTER SERVICES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

VP, PROGRAM STRATEGY & INITIATIVES

LEARNING & EVALUATION FINANCE

PRESIDENT & CEO

VP, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

HUMAN RESOURCES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

VP, OPERATIONS, CULTURE & INCLUSION

FACILITIES CORPORATE & FOUNDATION RELATIONS

VP, PHILANTHROPY & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

MAJOR GIFTS ANNUAL GIVING MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

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Partnerships and Funding SFH delivers holistic, person-centered care through strong public and private partnerships.

Federal, state, and local contracts support essential services across shelter, recovery, behavioral health, workforce development, and housing initiatives.

Government funding accounts for approximately 52% of the organization’s $20 million operating budget, with philanthropy representing roughly 45%. Philanthropy also supports program innovation, facility improvements, and service expansion.

SFH’s collaborative approach also extends to housing development partnerships, including its work with the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, a nonprofit developer of affordable and mixed-income housing across Greater Boston.

Together, these partnerships enable SFH to deliver integrated supportive services, expand housing access, and strengthen pathways to stability for the individuals it serves.

“Every day I witness firsthand the harsh realities of Boston’s housing crisis. The surge in homelessness in our region is a consequence of multiple compounding factors, including soaring rents and a severe shortage of affordable housing. St. Francis House is pleased to help alleviate this strain as a partner in providing much-needed affordable housing in downtown Boston.”

- Karen LaFrazia SFH President & CEO

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Programs and Services Overview At the center of St. Francis House’s mission is a comprehensive approach to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. SFH’s programs span housing, behavioral health, workforce development, recovery services, and day shelter operations, forming the core of the organization’s work.

Led by the Vice President of Programs and Services, the Programs and Services management team comprises directors, associate directors, and managers responsible for ensuring high-quality, responsive services across these program areas. Programs and Services staff represent approximately 80 percent of SFH’s workforce.

As the organization’s largest operational division, the department includes more than 100 staff and an annual operating budget of approximately $12.5 million, supported through a combination of government contracts, philanthropic funding, and other revenue sources. The organizational chart below illustrates the leadership structure responsible for guiding this work.

Organizational Chart VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS & SERVICES SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HOUSING

DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES MANAGER

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

WOMEN’S CENTER SUPERVISOR

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

MANAGER OF ACCESS CLINICIANS

DIRECTOR OF RRH/HPP HOUSING PLACEMENT MANAGER RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM MANAGER

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MANAGER OF DAY TREATMENT

MANAGER OF CARE TEAM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY SUPPORT CENTER

MAP MANAGER

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS OPERATIONS

HEAD CHEF

DIRECTOR OF DAY SHELTER SERVICES MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SAFETY

GUEST SERVICES MANAGER MANAGER OF CASE MANAGEMENT

Programs and Services Through a multidisciplinary structure, St. Francis House delivers a coordinated continuum of services designed to support individuals from crisis toward stability, recovery, employment, and housing. The following programs reflect the breadth of this work and the organization’s commitment to meeting individuals where they are while supporting long-term pathways out of homelessness.

Day Shelter Services

Workforce Development

SFH Day Shelter Services provide comprehensive case management in addition to essential daily support for guests, including nutritious meals served year-round, a safe daytime refuge, and access to clothing through the Fresh Threads program. Guests also have access to showers, toiletries, secure mail services, and identification support that enables access to employment and financial services.

SFH’s Workforce Development programs help guests build pathways to income and longterm stability through career planning, job readiness training, and individualized employment coaching. Programs are designed to align with each participant’s goals and integrate with housing and behavioral health supports.

Housing Navigation SFH works closely with the City of Boston and other partners to connect individuals with affordable housing options. The organization owns and manages more than 150 units of supportive housing and assists individuals in navigating the complex process of securing stable housing in the community. Housing stabilization case managers provide individualized support to help residents maintain long-term housing success.

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Behavioral Health

Medical Clinic

SFH’s Behavioral Health Services include access to licensed mental health clinicians who provide triage, clinical treatment, and crisis intervention. The Seeds of Change Day Treatment program supports guests navigating substance use disorders and mental health challenges, while the Carolyn Connors Women’s Center offers a safe and welcoming refuge and clinical supports for women who have experienced trauma.

The Marie L. Arky Medical Clinic, operated by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), provides on-site primary, preventative, episodic, and behavioral health services for guests. Staffed by physicians, physician assistants, RNs, nurse practitioners, and behavioral health clinicians, the clinic also provides referrals for vision and dental care.

Recovery Support Center The Room to Grow Recovery Center offers peer-based recovery support in a safe, nonjudgmental environment for individuals at all stages of recovery.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

Vice President of Programs and Services The Vice President of Programs and Services (VPPS) will possess a deep commitment to serving people experiencing homelessness. The successful candidate will hold an unwavering belief that all people should be treated with respect and dignity, and that given the right resources at the right time, can change the trajectory of their lives. With strong supervisory experience, the VPPS will set the tone for this dynamic division, reinforcing a collaborative, guest-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approach to service delivery. Working closely with executive leadership and program directors, the role will help strengthen programs while ensuring operational excellence across the portfolio.

The VPPS will embody and advance SFH’s philosophy of care, ensuring programs are integrated to deliver comprehensive, high-quality services across shelter operations, housing, behavioral health, and income stability/workforce development. Partnering with program leaders, the VPPS will utilize evidence-based practices and embrace the principles of harm reduction and housing first; and support ongoing learning and improvement while fostering collaboration across the broader program team. In addition, the role will help advance the continued growth of housing, workforce, and behavioral health initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President of Program Strategy and Initiatives and other program leaders.

As a member of the Executive Team and as a thought partner to the President and CEO, the VPPS will help strengthen SFH by supporting effective service delivery, fostering a supportive environment for staff, and advancing programmatic and financial sustainability. The VPPS supervises five direct reports and oversees more than 100 staff as the organization continues to strengthen and expand.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Executive Leadership Serve on the Executive Leadership Team in collaboration with colleagues and the President and act as a liaison to the Board of Directors.

Contribute program expertise to advance agency strategic priorities. Provide insight and leadership to support a healthy mission-aligned organizational culture.

Demonstrate commitment to the overall wellbeing of the agency by considering both shortand long-term implications of decisions.

Contribute to establishing financial sustainability goals and carrying them forward in practice.

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Program Leadership Hold overall operational responsibility for all program areas. Ensure programs and services are integrated within a holistic delivery model aligned with the agency’s philosophy of care, theory of change, and strategic priorities.

Ensure the effectiveness of programs and services through the establishment of outcomes metrics and quality assurance standards.

Promote practices that support staff wellness across the department, recognizing the intensity of the work and the importance of emotional wellbeing.

Advance organizational commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to both staff experience and guest services.

Guide departmental budget development and management in alignment with agency-wide financial sustainability goals. Partner with Human Resources and Program Directors on recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and evaluation processes for staff.

Serve as a leadership liaison to the SFH Board Program Committee and act as the agency’s Compliance Officer, ensuring applicable HIPAA requirements are met.

New Program Development Partner with staff to identify unmet or emerging needs within the guest population and pursue opportunities to deepen impact through responsive programs and services.

Collaborate with the President and VP of Program Strategy and Initiatives to develop and implement new or expanded program opportunities. Support funding strategies that advance program growth.

Learning and Evaluation Oversee the development and use of evaluation systems, data platforms, and reporting processes that monitor service delivery and program effectiveness.

Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement aligned with outcome measurement and quality improvement across the division.

Identify best practices and emerging trends relevant to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and integrate those insights into SFH programs and services.

External Representation Represent St. Francis House in Continuum of Care leadership convenings.

Partner with the Development team to support fundraising efforts, including program content for proposals and engagement with donors.

Represent SFH within local and state human service associations that monitor government policy and funding.

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EXPECTATIONS Short-term Priorities (First 12-18 Months) Build Trust and Visible Leadership Establish a strong and visible leadership presence across St. Francis House programs. Build trusted relationships with Program and Services’ management and staff, and executive colleagues while reinforcing a collaborative, guest-centered culture.

Re-Center and Stabilize Program Operations Assess the current program structure, workflows, and leadership alignment across day shelter operations, housing, behavioral health, and workforce programs. Strengthen coordination across these areas to ensure services function as an integrated continuum.

Strengthen Leadership Alignment and Accountability Provide clear expectations and consistent follow-through with program leaders. Support them in strengthening team management, communication, and accountability across the department.

Advance Clinical and Program Integration Bring a strong clinical and systems perspective to the Program Leadership Team, helping align service philosophy, trauma-informed care practices, and behavioral health approaches across programs.

Support Organizational Readiness for Growth Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Team to ensure programs are positioned to support the organization’s next phase of growth, as determined through strategic planning initiatives.

Longer-term Priorities: Strengthen the Integrated Service Model Continue to deepen coordination across programs and services so guests experience a cohesive continuum of care.

Build Systems and Organizational Discipline Strengthen internal systems that support program accountability, including clearer decisionmaking pathways, documented practices, and consistent expectations across program teams.

Elevate Data, Outcomes, and Learning Advance the use of data and evaluation to inform strategy, measure outcomes, and support continuous learning and improvement across programs.

Support Strategic Growth and Program Expansion Play a key role in shaping the next phase of SFH’s program strategy and the development of services that respond to emerging community needs.

Develop Leadership Capacity Across the Division Continue strengthening the leadership capacity of directors and managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The successful candidate will bring a combination of strategic leadership, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. The role calls for a leader who can guide multidisciplinary teams, strengthen programs, and foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and accountability across the Programs and Services division.

Candidates Will Demonstrate: Multidisciplinary program leadership experience in human services settings, ideally serving individuals experiencing homelessness.

Advanced degree/LICSW preferred and 10+ years of senior leadership experience, with strong capabilities in team leadership, budgeting, and program planning, implementation, and quality improvement.

Clinical insight to understand the complex physical and emotional needs of guests when developing and evaluating programs.

Systems perspective with strong analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to navigate situations that require balancing multiple priorities and perspectives.

Experience leading organizational growth and change, supported by clear communication, transparency, and strong alignment across teams.

Experience leveraging program evaluation and data to support learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Sensitivity to the needs of highly vulnerable populations, modeling compassion, respect, and dignity in service delivery.

People-centered leadership, supporting staff development, mentoring team members, and fostering opportunities for professional growth.

Strong listening and problem-solving skills, with the ability to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and help teams view change as an opportunity for greater impact.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent St. Francis House effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including partners and funders.

Flexibility, initiative, and follow-through in dynamic and fast-paced environments.

Optimism, resilience, and a sense of humor, bringing a “can-do” approach to leadership.

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and experience applying an equity lens in program design, implementation, and evaluation.

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, St. Francis House is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where all staff can reach their fullest potential. SFH welcomes candidates with lived experience and those who have faced historic barriers to competitive employment – in particular, BIPOC, people who are multilingual or multi-cultural, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

THIS IS A RETAINED SEARCH OF EXCEPTIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH. For inquiry or application, contact info@eesrecruit.com. www.exceptionalexecutivesearch.com

- Walter Ramos

Rogerson’s President & CEO

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