Director, Elder Services and Housing

At Fountain House, we believe in the power of community to transform the lives of individuals with serious mental illness. Every day, thousands of members choose to come to Fountain House to contribute their talents, learn new skills, access opportunities, and form friendships. Members and staff operate successful employment, education, wellness programs and work as partners to perform all the functions that keep our community going. The Fountain House model has been replicated in more than 300 locations in 30 countries and 32 states and currently serves more than 100,000 people with mental illness worldwide. As originators of this approach, we provide leadership by constantly advancing the practice and by leading the conversation around mental health recovery. As a result, Fountain House has created a comprehensive Community System of Care. This includes Clubhouses in Manhattan, the Bronx, Hollywood, California and Care Management, Home and Community-Based Services and a large housing program ranging from 24 hour supervised residences to scattered site supported apartments. We are committed to reducing social isolation, advocating for mental health policy change, and driving solutions that empower our members.

One of our programs, the Silver Center, currently serves 500+ older adults annually in Manhattan and the Bronx. Backed by over a decade of peer-informed practice and evaluation, membership is expected to grow by up to 600 in the next three years as we open new clubhouse capacity. We are also launching an Elder Justice initiative, to fill a critical service gap at the intersection of aging, mental health, and justice. By building a scalable, community-based model that reduces isolation, prevents maltreatment, and promotes recovery, Fountain House will advance elder justice and set a new standard for supporting older adults with SMI, including financial literacy and benefits protection, digital literacy and online safety, and wellness outreach programs that reduce isolation and provide immediate peer support,

As the Director of the Elder Services and Housing Team you will shape and lead this and other innovative programs that bridges housing stability, mental health recovery, and community integration for elder adults living with serious mental illness. You will have two direct reports.

Your Impact

As the Director of the Elder Services and Housing team, you will:

• With support of the Senior Director, structure and implement the Elder Justice Initiative.
• Oversee operations, mentor and supervise staff, and co-create a sense of community and belonging with elder members.
• Support older adults with serious mental illness build skills, navigate crises, and connect to broader opportunities in work, education, community life and needed supports.
• Drive outcomes that matter: stable homes, empowered older adults, and thriving communities.
• Support people going through psychiatric crisis, maintain compliance with documentation, and coordinate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Be a guide to intervention in the lives of underserved older adults with Serious Mental Illness, and to connect them with social determinants of health such as work, lifelong learning, and community.

Fully-onsite

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy & Innovation

• Lead an elder adult-focused housing program rooted in dignity, independence, and connection.
• Align programming with organizational strategy and develop pathways to key outcomes in housing, community involvement and connection to supports.
• Evaluate, refine, and grow programming in response to member feedback and outcome data.

Team Leadership

• Supervise 2 Directors and adjunct practitioners; provide ongoing coaching, training, and support.
• Create a collaborative team culture that is elder centered, equity-driven, and trauma-informed.
• Provide administrative direction and strategic guidance regarding capacity and housing referrals?
• Facilitate bi-weekly staff meetings and guide team development and performance.

Member Engagement & Support

• Build trusted, affirming relationships with elder adults navigating housing, wellness, and life transitions.
• Support staff in coordinating activities such as shared meals, community meetings, skill-building sessions, and apartment visits.
• Lead crisis management efforts in partnership with staff and support members in accessing internal and external resources during business hours.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure all housing units meet Fountain House and OMH standards for safety, dignity, and functionality.
• Oversee documentation, service plans, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Create a system for 24/7 coverage needs that can or cannot include the director or other individuals.

Partnerships & Resource Development

• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with other senior programs, referral sources, clinical providers, and elder-serving organizations.
• Contribute to grant writing and fundraising initiatives that expand programming capacity and impact.
• Oversee and manage the program budget, ensuring adherence to budgetary guidelines, meeting programmatic goals and objectives

Who You Are

• You are a compassionate and action-oriented leader with a deep commitment to social justice and mental health equity.
• You believe older people with serious mental illness deserve stable housing, holistic support, and the opportunity to live a full and dignified life.
• You're just as comfortable facilitating a group discussion as you are navigating a housing compliance checklist or writing a program report.
• You value inclusion, joy, accountability, and creativity-and you're ready to lead a program that embodies all of these.

What You Bring

• Master's degree in Social Work or related field (required) or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• 4+ years' experience working with individuals living with serious mental illness
• 2+ years' experience working with older adults ages 55 plus in supportive or educational settings
• 3+ years of staff supervision and program leadership experience
• Experience with housing programs, OMH compliance, or supportive housing a plus
• Strong skills in community-building, conflict resolution, and team development
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of NYC housing, senior programing development, and mental health systems
• A flexible, relational, and equity-driven approach to leadership and problem-solving
• A willingness to embrace additional tasks as assigned by a supervisor.

Why Join Fountain House?

• Empower Marginalized Communities - Elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience and drive real systemic change.
• Innovate in Mental Health Advocacy - Join a mission-driven team at the forefront of mental health reform.
• Professional Growth & Leadership - Access mentorship, training, and career development opportunities in a rapidly evolving field.

Join Us & Make an Impact!

Be part of a movement that is transforming mental health care through research, advocacy, and community.

Fountain House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At this time Fountain House, Inc. is not able to sponsor visas

Note: This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not to be construed as a contract for employment.