DescriptionSenior Friendship Centers is looking for a dynamic community-driven leader to serve as Senior Services Manager for DeSoto County—a role that blends heart, leadership, and impact. This position leads the daily operations and vibrant programming of the DeSoto Senior Center, serves as the primary face of senior services in the county while building strong partnerships, inspiring staff and volunteers, and creating welcoming experiences that help older adults thrive. If you’re passionate about community leadership, program innovation, and making a meaningful difference every day, this is your opportunity to lead where it truly matters.
We’re seeking a hands-on, organized leader with strong supervisory skills, sound judgment, and a passion for serving older adults. The ideal candidate communicates professionally, builds strong community relationships, and leads staff and volunteers in a positive, inclusive environment. This role is well-suited for a self-directed problem-solver who can manage daily operations, adapt programs to community needs, and consistently deliver high-quality, engaging services for seniors.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), Monday–Friday position with occasional evening and weekend outreach events. We offer a robust benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid time off; paid holidays; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; and—most importantly—the chance to do meaningful work with an organization that truly cares. If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you—apply today!
Essential Functions:
Organizational:
- Oversee the daily operations of the DeSoto Senior Center, ensuring a welcoming, safe, and well-organized environment for participants, staff, volunteers, and partners.
- Supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate the work of the Program Coordinator, Program Assistant, and senior center volunteers.
- Oversee the processing of daily monies generated from operations per fiscal department policy, including reconciliation and deposits.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Senior Friendship Centers in DeSoto County, including coordination with community partners, funders, local agencies, and stakeholders.
- Coordinate, support, and monitor senior center programs across key service areas such as wellness and fitness, educational programming, social and recreational activities, special events, and enrichment opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Nutrition Department to support congregate and home-delivered meal programs at the senior center, ensuring compliance with program requirements without directly managing daily meal service operations. Provide backup for Nutrition services when necessary.
- Ensure accurate compilation, review, and submission of required reports related to senior center activities, participation data, outcomes, and other program metrics, as applicable.
- Oversee advisory councils associated with the senior center; attend meetings, prepare agendas, and support member engagement and compliance with organizational guidelines.
- Support outreach, marketing, and community engagement efforts, including participation in health fairs, expos, fundraising activities, and volunteer recruitment to promote the organization’s mission and senior center services.
- Coordinate with internal departments to address participant needs, including referrals to case management or other services when non-programmatic needs arise. This includes becoming knowledgeable about the different funding sources for operations.
- Assist with planning and execution of special events, holiday activities, recognition events, and partnerships that enhance the senior center experience.
- Ensure volunteers are appropriately recruited, trained, scheduled, supervised, and recognized in accordance with organizational and volunteer program policies.
- Make recommendations regarding programmatic and operational expenditures and respond to inquiries from other Senior Friendship Centers departments.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities as required.
- Must comply with all Senior Friendship Centers personnel policies.
- Protect the safety and health of staff, volunteers, participants, and others by observing and following safety and incident policies.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Program Coordinator, Program Assistant, and Senior Center Volunteers
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work environment may vary between locations and include stairs, office space adaptation when traveling, and a moderate noise level.
- drug free and smoke free workplace.
Other Duties:
Please note: while this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the primary requirements of the job, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to add or remove duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, or technological developments) dictate.
QualificationsCompetencies:
- Demonstrated ability to lead, supervisor, coach, and hold staff and volunteers accountable in a hands on environment, creating a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment in line with organizational values.
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment and decision-making abilities aligned with organizational values and goals.
- Strong ability to represent the organization professionally and positively to the public, community leaders, partners, funders, and participants.
- Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to design, implement, and adapt innovative programs that enhance senior engagement, wellness, and quality of life.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage operations, reporting, compliance requirements, and deadlines effectively with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to the needs of the organization.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to individuals, groups, and community audiences with the ability to gain trust and maintain relationships.
Education, Experience, Licenses, and Certifications:
- Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences, Human Services, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or program management experience required, preferably in a senior center, community-based, or nonprofit setting.
- Intermediate computer skills are required; Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other basic computer software and hardware, and the ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems.
- Experience presenting to public groups is desirable.
Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and prolonged periods standing.
- Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
- Must be able to independently access various departments of a given location.
Travel:
- Travel within the several counties in which Senior Friendship Centers Inc. operates may be required as frequently as needed to support operations, fundraising, and outreach.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance are required for all work-related travel.
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Satisfactory clearance of a fingerprint-based, level II background screening and pre-employment substance abuse testing is required.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Affirmative Action/EEO statement:
It is the policy of Senior Friendship Centers to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities.
All applicants must pass a Level 2 Background Screening. Level 2 background screening is Florida's highest level of background check. It is required by Section 435.04, Florida Statues for individuals working in positions of responsibility or trust. Level 2 screening helps ensure that people who care for children, seniors, and vulnerable populations are safe and trustworthy.
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