Lifebridge North Shore Position VP of Client Services Overview
Introduction
Lifebridge North Shore seeks an experienced, mission-driven human services leader as its next Vice President of Client Services (VP) Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the VP will oversee a multi-site portfolio of programs that support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, hunger, and related barriers to health and well-being across Massachusetts’ North Shore.
In this role, the VP will strengthen service integration across locations, develop and support program leaders, deepen external partnerships, and advance responsive service models and organizational systems
Overseeing shelter, housing support, food access, case management, clinical and stabilization services, and communitybased assistance, the role will help ensure Lifebridge’s services remain coordinated, effective, and responsive for the hundreds of individuals served daily in Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, and surrounding communities.
Mission
Lifebridge North Shore supports homeless and vulnerable individuals by establishing access to resources that provide safety and promote healthy physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional development. Grounded in the belief in the dignity and worth of every person, Lifebridge works to create pathways to stability, independence, and long-term well-being.
Mission and History
About Lifebridge North Shore
Lifebridge has been addressing urgent community needs on the North Shore for 30 years. Its roots trace back to 1978, when a Salem congregation began serving meals to individuals experiencing homelessness. What started as a grassroots volunteer effort has evolved into a respected regional human services organization that works to create pathways to stability, independence, and longterm well-being for those most vulnerable.
Today, Lifebridge operates a network of programs and service sites designed to meet individuals where they are while helping them move toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency The organization has grown significantly in recent years and now operates with an annual budget of approximately $7 million and a team of more than 80 employees that supports more than 400 people each day.
Lifebridge Strategic Priorities
Expand and enhance programs to meet community needs
Redevelop facilities to support planned programming
Grow government and community partnerships
Strengthen organizational resources to match operational growth
Maintain flexibility and creativity in responding to emergent community needs
The Lifebridge Thrift Shop in Salem (and its eBay store) has a dual role in generating revenue and serving as a vital hub for outreach and community engagement, as well as housing additional shelter beds.
Locations Across the North Shore
Lifebridge Main Campus (Salem) – This community hub provides essential services, such as an emergency shelter, community meals, a day center, community outreach, case management and supportive services, and permanent supportive housing
River House (Beverly) – River House offers a safe haven for vulnerable women in need of assistance.
Grace Center (Gloucester) – The Grace Center is a day resource that provides meals, case management, and community support services for Cape Ann residents.
A Pivotal Moment
Communities across the North Shore continue to face rising housing costs, limited affordable housing inventory, behavioral health challenges, and increasing strain on vulnerable individuals and families.
At the same time, Lifebridge is advancing an ambitious vision for the future guided by a strategic framework that focuses on expanding services, organizational capacity, and community impact.
The organization has expanded its regional footprint, strengthened partnerships, and is moving forward with a transformational redevelopment of its Salem campus, which is expected to increase shelter capacity and create new affordable and supportive housing opportunities
As Lifebridge grows in scale and complexity, there is an increasing need to strengthen alignment across programs, improve communication, and bring greater consistency to management practices across sites and teams.
In a fast-paced, often unpredictable service environment, the next Vice President of Client Services will play a key role in bringing structure, clarity, and coordination to operations, while preserving the flexibility, responsiveness, and deep commitment that define Lifebridge’s culture
About Lifebridge North Shore
Organizational Culture and Core Values
Lifebridge’s mission is grounded in dignity, compassion, accountability, and practical problem-solving. Across the organization, staff share a deep commitment to supporting individuals in navigating complex life circumstances.
The culture is highly mission-driven, collaborative, and relationship-based. Teams work in operationally demanding yet rewarding environments that call for flexibility, responsiveness, sound judgment, and a willingness to step in where needed to support both clients and colleagues
As the organization continues to grow, Lifebridge remains committed to balancing compassion with accountability while strengthening communication, coordination, and operational consistency across programs and teams.
Lifebridge Leadership
PRESIDENT
“As a community, as cities, we have to be able to provide for people who don’t have safety nets. Without them there are cascading, snowballing effects – not only for the individuals – but for our communities at large.”
Jason Etheridge President & CEO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
CHIEF OF STAFF
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
A Continuum of Care
Lifebridge’s work is strengthened through partnerships with public agencies, healthcare providers, municipalities, philanthropic supporters, and community organizations across the North Shore. Together, these collaborations make possible an integrated continuum of care that addresses urgent needs while helping individuals move toward greater stability, health, and well-being.
Programs and Services
Shelter and Stabilization
Safe shelter, meals, showers, and crisis response services f individuals experiencing hom
Housing Support and Permanent Supportive Housi
Housing navigation, case management, stabilization su and permanent supportive ho designed to help individuals and sustain housing and prev cycle of homelessness.
Food Access and Day Services
Community meals, hygiene r clothing support, and access to essential services that promote dignity and stability.
Community-Based Case Management and Outreach
Behavioral Health
Intervention and support for behavioral health and substance use disorders.
Support connecting individuals to benefits, employment resources, healthcare, and housing opportunities.
Vice President of Client Services POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Vice President of Client Services will provide executive leadership for Lifebridge’s clientfacing operations and help shape a cohesive, high-performing service model across the organization. This role calls for both strategic leadership and strong operational instincts, appealing to a leader who is energized by complexity and motivated to bring greater structure, clarity, and impact to a growing organization.
Key Responsibilities
Strengthen coordination and alignment across multiple sites and programs.
Establish consistent management practices, supervision, and accountability across program leaders and frontline teams.
Build a culture of service excellence, staff development, and shared accountability. Improve workforce management practices, including staffing models, scheduling, and oversight, to support both staff effectiveness and operational efficiency
Mentor and develop program leaders, strengthening leadership capacity across the organization
Identify emerging needs and develop responsive programs and service models
Advance trauma-informed, client-centered, and housing-focused practices
Establish clear performance expectations, service standards, and outcome measures
Leverage HMIS, reporting tools, and operational data to improve decision-making and effectiveness.
Partner with Development and Finance to align program impact with sustainable funding and growth.
Serve as a key operational partner to the CEO, translating vision into clear priorities, structures, and execution.
Improve communication across the organization, ensuring frontline teams are informed, aligned, and supported.
Represent Lifebridge with external partners and stakeholders as appropriate. Prepare programs and teams for redevelopment, expansion, and future growth.
Programmatic Oversight
*Community Support Program for Homeless Individuals
Expectations
Early Priorities (First 12–18 Months)
Build Trust and Leadership Presence
Develop strong relationships with staff, program leaders, executive colleagues, and external partners through visible and engaged leadership. Spend meaningful time across all program sites, listening to staff and observing day-to-day operations to understand both strengths and operational challenges
Assess and Strengthen Program Integration
Assess staffing models, workflows, and resource allocation to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce strain on frontline teams, and support more sustainable day-to-day operations
Expectations (continued)
Clarify Expectations and Accountability
Establish clear standards for supervision, performance management, outcomes, and collaboration.
Clarify roles, decision-making authority, and communication pathways so staff feel informed, supported, and aligned.
Support Staff Development and Retention
Strengthen internal leadership capacity, coaching practices, and staff support systems in a demanding service environment.
Position Programs for the Future
Help ensure services, teams, and systems are prepared for redevelopment initiatives, future growth, and evolving community needs
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will bring a blend of mission commitment, systems thinking, executive leadership, and operational strength.
Experience
Significant senior leadership experience in homelessness, housing, behavioral health, or related human services settings.
Demonstrated success in program development, innovation, and managing change.
Experience developing managers and strengthening organizational systems, accountability, and cross-functional coordination.
Strong operational and management instincts, including improving staffing models, workflows, and organizational efficiency.
Experience overseeing multiple programs, teams, service areas, or sites.
Familiarity with the Massachusetts human services landscape, including public systems and partnerships.
Licensed clinical credentials with the ability to supervise staff and support program development, including expansion of clinical services and reimbursement models; LICSW preferred
Skills and Abilities
Strong people leadership with the ability to mentor and develop managers.
Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
Ability to balance flexibility and structure, supporting responsive client service while establishing consistent expectations.
Leadership style grounded in trust and respect, with the ability to guide without overstepping into day-to-day casework.
Ability to partner effectively with executive leadership, bringing structure, followthrough, and clarity to complex initiatives.
Ability to translate ideas into actionable plans that advance both program impact and organizational sustainability
Characteristics and Attributes
A visible, hands-on leadership style, with a willingness to engage directly in program environments.
A leader who brings structure, clarity, and consistency to complex and evolving environments.
Confidence and judgment to contribute thoughtfully at the executive level.
Comfort navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and high-acuity settings
Commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered, and mission-driven practice
Lifebridge North Shore is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and seeks to build a team reflective of the communities it serves. Candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
For inquiry or application, contact info@eesrecruit.com. www.exceptionalexecutivesearch.com
