Thrive Initiative Managing Director

Sanar is seeking a Full-Time Managing Director to oversee and implement programs under the Thrive Initiative. This position will work in collaboration with Sanar’s CO-CEO in building, executing, and facilitating annual strategic plans for the program that focus on program sustainability and growth. The Thrive Initiative is comprised of training and technical assistance programs and a workplace wellness program, both of which are tasked with reducing the impact of primary and secondary trauma exposure through a resiliency-focused and holistic wellbeing lens.

The Thrive Initiative is comprised of three distinct programs that will be overseen by this position:

1. Thrive Certificate Training Program: A multi-year, state and fee-for-service funded project, that is designed to support frontline professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal violence in building robust, trauma conscious practices through a blend of self-paced and live-facilitated training courses. The Thrive Initiative Managing Director’s most substantive areas of work will be focused in Sanar’s Thrive Certificate program. The position will be responsible for the management, facilitation, development, and growth of the program in collaboration with Sanar’s Co CEO and the Thrive Initiative program staff. This will include managing a suite of vendors and contractors to build high-quality and mission aligned LMS courses
2. Workplace Wellness Program: A suite of customized workplace wellness projects, funded through entity-based contracts and state funding, that support frontline staff in mitigating the impact of secondary trauma exposure while building empowered, sustainable, and thriving workspaces. Within the Workplace Wellness Program, the Thrive Initiative Managing Director will be changed with all aspects of programmatic management. The position will be responsible for sustaining existing program contracts and securing new contracts for the workplace wellness program that correlates to the annual development goals. Moreover, this position will develop and facilitate programmatic deliverables in collaboration with the Thrive Initiative program staff.
3. Customized Training and Capacity Strengthening on Trauma-Conscious Practices: On-Demand customized training and technical assistance content, funded through entity-based contracts and state/federal grants, designed to support stakeholders in building trauma-conscious practices that empower individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal violence. The Thrive Initiative Managing Director will manage all aspects of the Thive Initiative’s Customized Training and Technical Assistance Program. This will include the identification and management of contracts and fee-based training alongside the development and facilitation of content. The managing director will assess new training opportunities, match appropriate staff for the training delivery, or directly facilitate the content based on the nature of the request.

This role is meant for a candidate that is deeply passionate about healing, wellness, and creating system change that facilitates trauma-conscious and person-centered care at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in program management, training and technical assistance in addition to a robust understanding of clinical orientations to trauma-sensitive and person-centered service delivery in social justice-related fields. The position will require a high degree of independent work, flexibility, enthusiasm for working with diverse communities, and the ability to navigate complex environments with grace, flexibility, and compassion. This position will require national and international travel as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Strategy, Development and Oversight

• Support Sanar’s Co-CEO in creating an annual development and program deliverable strategy and lead the Thrive Initiative team in implementing the plan.
• Secure contracts and grant based funding to meet an annual fundraising goal that will ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the program.
• Oversee program evaluation, grant reporting, and the collection and analysis of impact data.
• Oversee partnership relationships and communication, including reporting requirements and program evaluation.

Program Management and Facilitation

• Oversee the Thrive Certificate Program, Workplace Wellness Program, and Customized Training projects, including content development, vendor management, revenue generation and program delivery.
• Create, develop, and implement LMS based learning content across programs, including overseeing the functionality of the portal, managing contractors to facilitate build out and design, and troubleshooting challenges.
• Develop, implement and promote a fee-based certificate program with Continuing Education Credits for national expansion of the Thrive Certificate Program.
• Develop and live-facilitate training, technical assistance, group coaching, case consultations, workshops, small-group learning, management strategy sessions and other customized wellness support services for contracted organizations.
• Facilitate one-on-one organizational wellness sessions to support frontline and management staff in building skills that mitigate the impact of vicarious trauma exposure and foster work/life balance grounded in well-being.
• Adapt existing and develop new resources, toolkits, handouts to enhance training and educational content.
• Engage in public speaking events and conferences, working groups, taskforce meetings as a subject matter expert in trauma-conscious care.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Serve as the direct supervisor for the Thrive Initiative staff, including onboarding, performance management, and professional development. Currently, this role will supervise one full-time staff member with potential for expansion in FY 2025/2026 pending funding.
• Participate in the development and implementation of a 2025 Thrive Initiative internship program.
• Collaborate with Sanar’s leadership to continue expanding trauma-conscious and person-centered management practices, staff professional development, DEIAB practices and staff wellbeing.

Required Professional Competencies

• A minimum of five years of experience developing and facilitating training content with a focus on LMS systems, graphic creation, narration integration, and data tracking.
• A minimum of two years of experience supervising staff.
• A minimum of two years of experience of program/project management.
• Experience with program development and revenue generation including contract management, negotiation, and creation.
• Experience managing contractors/vendors to deliver critical areas of program outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex tasks and project deadlines through both strategic delegation and primary execution of deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and prioritize tasks independently.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills with in-person and virtual audiences.
• Emotional maturity, stability, and resilience, along with excellent social skills that are authentic, empathic, and create a strong alliance with the communities Sanar serves.
• Experience, comfort, and sensitivity working in multi-cultural environments with knowledge and understanding of diversity, oppression, and privilege.
• Strong passion, excitement, and alignment with the Sanar Institute’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
• Proficiency with content creation technology programs including LearnDash (or equivalent LMS) Microsoft Office Suite, and programs for graphic design, marketing and promotion, and evaluation such as Venngage, SurveyMonkey and MailChimp.
• Strong desire to grow with the Sanar Institute and the Thrive Initiative for the next 3-5 years with progressive responsibility and professional growth.

Preferred Professional Competencies

• Experience building self-paces course through a Learning Management System (preferable with LearnDash)
• Experience with instructional design, academic course creation, and adult education.
• A background in social justice with a robust understanding of primary and secondary trauma, including previous experience working with communities impacted by complex trauma and interpersonal violence.
• Experience providing trauma-specific clinical services and/or support to individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal violence.
• Bilingual/ bicultural with a strong connection and passion for community-led work.
• Lived experience with complex trauma, resilience, and posttraumatic growth.

People of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with lived experience with complex trauma are highly encouraged to apply.

Sanar offers an excellent benefits package (health, dental, and vision insurance, 401k with 4% match from the employer, and life insurance), professional development reimbursement, a remote worker equipment stipend, in addition to a generous paid time off program and extended holidays. Sanar also offers flexible scheduling, a supportive work environment that encourages professional and personal development, a commitment to self-care and convenient headquarters located in Newark, New Jersey near Penn Station. This position will have the ability to work remotely full-time, with up to 2 days in-person for essential program services and meetings.