Group Living Program Manager

Job Description: Group Living Program Manager | Building the Environment Where Youth Can Heal, Grow, and Thrive Wellspring Lutheran Services – New Directions, Livonia | Full-Time | Salary $75,000 Accepting applications through October 28, 2026 The most important moments in a young person's life are often shaped by the people behind the scenes who create safety, consistency, and opportunity.

You chose this field because you believe every young person deserves the chance to overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and build a future filled with possibility. At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we're looking for a Group Living Program Manager to join our New Directions team—a trauma-informed residential program serving youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges.

At New Directions, you will lead a residential program that helps youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges heal, grow, and prepare for the future. Most importantly, you'll help young people discover that their future is bigger than their circumstances. What Your Impact Will Look Like You will provide leadership for the residential treatment program, ensuring youth receive consistent, high-quality care in a safe and therapeutic environment.

You will mentor supervisors and direct care leaders, strengthen teams, guide program improvement efforts, support staff through crises, and help create experiences that allow youth to build confidence, resilience, and life skills. Every decision you make helps shape the culture and environment where healing can happen.

The Professional We're Looking For You believe strong leadership can change the trajectory of a young person's life. You are passionate about child welfare and residential treatment. You enjoy developing employees and strengthening teams. You remain calm and solution-focused during difficult situations. You believe every young person deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity.

What You'll Bring

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience in a child caring institution – OR – Two years of college from an accredited college or university and 3 years of work experience in a child caring institution – OR – A high school diploma and 4 years of work experience in a child caring institution Four years of supervisory experience in a child caring institution or child placing agency.

Knowledge of child welfare services, residential treatment, adolescent development, and behavioral interventions. Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills. Ability to respond effectively in crisis situations. Why Wellspring Lutheran Services? At Wellspring, we're motivated by Christ's love to engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.

That mission is especially meaningful at New Directions, where every day brings opportunities to help young people discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves. This is more than a management position. It's an opportunity to develop leaders, strengthen clinical services, support families, and help young people build brighter futures.

We Offer Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off and paid holidays 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching Employee Assistance Program (Support. Linc) Professional development opportunities Mission-driven work that changes lives Schedule Full-time leadership position with a schedule driven by the needs of the program and the youth we serve.

Primarily weekday business hours with a flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed Participation in leadership meetings, supervision, training, quality improvement initiatives, and program planning Availability to respond to emergencies and crisis situations after normal business hours Active presence throughout the residential campus Apply Today If you are looking for a leadership opportunity where you can develop staff, strengthen programs, and create meaningful opportunities for youth to succeed, we would love to meet you.

Join Wellspring Lutheran Services and help build the environment where young people can heal, grow, and create the future they deserve.

About us

For more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.

Our mission: Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential. Full job description available during the interview.