KHFS - Director of Katherine Hanley Family Shelter

Department: Fairfax Homeless Services | Reports to: Senior Director of Homeless Services – Fairfax | Level: Director | FLSA status: Exempt | Location: Fairfax, VA | Salary range: $75,000 – $85,000

About Us

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since its inception, the organization has adapted and grown to meet community needs, partnering with government, private partners, and community members. Today, Shelter House employs over 200 staff members and is committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the past year, the team changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of whom were children. The organization’s culture is built on its core values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.).

About the Role

The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter, an emergency shelter serving households with minor children. The program serves up to 24 households at the shelter, plus families temporarily placed in hotels. As a member of Shelter House’s Leadership Team, the Director develops and implements strategies to achieve program and organizational goals in alignment with the agency’s mission, philosophy, core values, funding requirements, and best practices. The role ensures high‑quality, trauma‑informed, housing‑focused services and effective management of program operations, personnel, facilities, data, and budgets.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Oversight

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all emergency shelter services, including families placed in hotels.
• Ensure services comply with Shelter House philosophy, best practices, grant/contract requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop and maintain program‑specific policies, procedures, and workflows aligned with agency policies and funder contracts.
• Maintain continuity of essential functions during staff absences and vacancies.
• Facilitate client appeal processes related to shelter extensions, program exits, and other service decisions.
• Administer customer‑satisfaction surveys per contract requirements and use feedback for continuous improvement.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation with Assistant Directors.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Directly supervise the Assistant Director of Programs (ADP) and Assistant Director of Shelter Operations (ADSO).
• Provide coaching, guidance, and professional‑development support through regular supervision meetings and performance evaluations.
• Review and approve staff timesheets, leave requests, check requests, and mileage reimbursements.
• Serve in an on‑call capacity to support staff during emergencies and crisis situations.

Case Management and Client Services

• Through supervision of the ADP, ensure the case‑management team applies strengths‑based, trauma‑informed, solution‑focused, and housing‑focused approaches.
• Support the ADP and case‑management team with complex cases requiring higher‑level intervention, problem‑solving, or coordination.
• Provide guidance when staff respond to participants experiencing mental or physical health crises.
• Support Case Managers directly in the ADP’s absence (vacancies or leave).

Shelter Operations and Facilities

• Through supervision of the ADSO, ensure Residential Coordinators deliver strengths‑based, trauma‑informed, housing‑focused support to residents.
• Maintain a safe, secure, clean, and supportive environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
• Oversee proper maintenance and operation of the shelter facility and program vehicles.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations and address identified concerns promptly.
• Assist the ADSO in coordinating personnel during safety incidents, weather emergencies, and other operational disruptions.
• Enforce safety, sanitation, and cleaning protocols consistently.
• Support Residential Coordinators directly in the ADSO’s absence (vacancies or leave).

Data, Compliance, and Reporting

• Support the ADP in meeting Fairfax County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) requirements.
• Monitor timely completion, quality, and accuracy of participant records and program data.
• Collaborate with Data Program staff to ensure compliance with HUD Data Standards and Fairfax County HMIS requirements.
• Partner with Data Program staff to prepare for monitoring visits and audits, ensuring consistency between paper and electronic records.
• Prepare statistical, performance, and narrative reports for contractual compliance, quality‑assurance, community education, and organizational planning.

Financial Management

• Collaborate with Shelter House’s Finance Department to manage program budgets responsibly.
• Monitor program expenditures to ensure funds are used efficiently, appropriately, and in accordance with approved budgets, contracts, and funding requirements.

Community Engagement and Resource Development

• Deliver presentations and represent Shelter House before community partners and external audiences as requested by Development or Executive teams.
• Partner with the Community Coordinator to communicate program needs, including volunteer support and in‑kind donations.
• Ensure all monetary and non‑monetary in‑kind donations are properly documented and tracked.
• Support the Director of Development in cultivating community relationships that strengthen partnerships, donor engagement, and organizational reach.
• Facilitate strategic introductions to potential partners and supporters when appropriate.

Organizational Leadership

• Participate actively as a member of Shelter House’s Leadership Team, contributing to agency‑wide planning, decision‑making, and continuous improvement.
• Model Shelter House’s iC.A.R.E. core values: Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Four or more years of progressive program and staff management experience.
• Excellent customer service, communication, team‑building, and leadership skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management abilities; capacity to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgments.
• Creative, flexible, trauma‑informed approach.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed.
• Physical requirements: annual TB test; ability to sit or stand for long periods; ability to lift items weighing 10–20 lb.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human services or a related field.
• Experience leading or supporting programs serving families or individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Experience leading or managing in a residential or shelter environment.