Program Manager
Friends of Night People – Buffalo, NY
Make a Difference Every Day
Friends of Night People has been serving individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty in Buffalo for more than 50 years. We believe every person deserves dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to achieve stability.
We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and motivated Program Manager to lead our Friends of Friends Program. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing daily program operations, supervising staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and building strong partnerships throughout the community.
If you are passionate about Housing First, trauma-informed care, and helping individuals overcome barriers to housing and stability, we encourage you to apply.
Position Summary
The Program Manager provides leadership and operational oversight for the Friends of Friends Program, ensuring services are delivered using trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction principles. This position oversees staff performance, program compliance, HMIS documentation, data collection, reporting, budgeting, and quality improvement while maintaining strong relationships with community partners and funding agencies.
The Program Manager reports directly to the Director of Operations and serves as a member of the agency's leadership team.
Responsibilities
· Lead the daily operations of the Friends of Friends Program.
· Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate program staff.
· Recruit, supervise, and support interns and volunteers.
· Conduct staff meetings and promote professional development.
· Ensure services are delivered using trauma-informed care, Housing First, and person-centered practices.
· Provide direct client services when necessary, including assessments, intakes, advocacy, crisis intervention, and service planning.
· Oversee HMIS documentation and ensure timely, accurate data entry.
· Collect, analyze, and report program outcomes and performance measures.
· Prepare reports required by agency leadership and funding sources.
· Monitor program quality and ensure compliance with agency policies and grant requirements.
· Assist with program budgeting and monitor expenditures.
· Build and maintain collaborative relationships with shelters, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, government partners, and other community organizations.
· Participate in homeless outreach throughout the City of Buffalo as needed.
· Assist with agency initiatives, community events, fundraising activities, and other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or a closely related Human Services field.
OR
Associate's Degree in a Human Services field with at least two (2) years of relevant professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, behavioral health challenges, or other vulnerable populations will be considered.
All candidates must also have:
· Supervisory or leadership experience.
· Strong experience using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or a comparable database.
· Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting program data.
· Knowledge of Housing First, Coordinated Entry, homelessness systems, and community resources.
· Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, severe mental illness, and co-occurring disorders.
· Experience completing assessments, participant intakes, service planning, advocacy, and crisis intervention.
· Working knowledge of trauma-informed care, person-centered service delivery, harm reduction, and de-escalation techniques.
· Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and leadership skills.
· Ability to build strong relationships with community partners and collaborate across multiple systems.
· Valid New York State Driver License with reliable transportation.
· Homeless outreach experience.
· Experience with HUD, HMIS, ESG, Continuum of Care, or other federally funded homelessness programs.
· Grant management or grant reporting experience.
· Motivational Interviewing training.
· Crisis Intervention or Mental Health First Aid certification.
· Physical Requirements
· Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
· Ability to sort and organize donations, supplies, and food deliveries.
· Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the workday.
· Ability to travel throughout the City of Buffalo.
· Ability to work evenings and weekends and holidays.
Why Join Friends of Night People?
At Friends of Night People, you'll join a mission-driven team committed to helping individuals move toward housing, health, and long-term stability. We value collaboration, innovation, accountability, and compassion. As Program Manager, you'll have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, strengthen community partnerships, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve every day.
Friends of Night People is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
