SSV Division Director (Children Services)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Division Director of Children’s Services is responsible for the executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of Guilford County’s Child Welfare system. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and outcomes-driven services focused on child safety, permanency, and well-being.

This position provides leadership across all Children’s Services programs and is accountable for operational excellence, workforce development, system improvement, and community collaboration.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Social Services and is evaluated based on program outcomes, leadership effectiveness, and organizational impact.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASSThis executive-level position oversees all aspects of Children’s Services, including but not limited to:

• Child Protective Services (Intake, Assessments, In-Home Services)
• Foster Care and Permanency Planning
• Adoptions and Permanency Outcomes
• Placement Services and Resource Development
• Clinical and Support Services
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Training

The Division Director leads a large, complex service delivery system and ensures alignment with federal, state, and county regulations, while advancing best practices in child welfare.

This role requires a visionary leader who can drive system transformation, strengthen accountability, and build a high-performing culture focused on outcomes for children and families.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Division Director will:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all Children’s Services programs, ensuring alignment with safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes
• Direct the implementation, operation, and evaluation of federal, state, and county child welfare programs
• Lead and manage a large workforce (200+ staff), including Program Administrators, Program Managers, Supervisors, and support staff
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, data dashboards, and CQI processes to drive continuous improvement
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure compliance and service excellence
• Strengthen supervisory capacity and leadership development across all levels of the division
• Collaborate with internal departments (Public Health, Economic Services, Behavioral Health) to ensure integrated service delivery
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with the courts, legal system, community agencies, schools, and state partners
• Lead initiatives to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and improve placement stability and permanency outcomes
• Oversee budget development, fiscal management, and resource allocation for Children’s Services
• Provide leadership during crisis situations and support complex case decision-making
• Serve as a key advisor to the Director of Social Services on child welfare strategy and operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a four year degree and five years management experience in a human services agency as stated above, four of which must have been in social services
• Or Master's degree in Public Administration, Social Work (macro or management practice) or Business and three years of experience in a human services agency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive leadership experience in child welfare systems (CPS, Foster Care, Permanency)
• Proven success in improving outcomes related to safety, permanency, and well-being
• Strong experience leading organizational change and system transformation
• Ability to use data, dashboards, and CQI processes to drive performance
• Experience working with courts, legal partners, and state child welfare agencies
• Knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws, policies, and funding streams (e.g., IV-E, FFPSA)
• Strong fiscal management and budgeting experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams and develop high-performing leaders
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multiple stakeholders
• Experience managing in a complex, fast-paced public sector environment
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice

TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED. Copy of transcript must be submitted with application. Official college transcripts required at time of hire. Please attach a copy to your online application.

Specific assignments vary within Child Welfare Services. Applicants may be considered for any available vacancy. All positions subject to after hours on call duty. Assignments may include: Foster Care, Adoptions, Treatment, Investigations, Family Recruitment Trainer, Placements, Facilitator, Intensive Residential Youth Services, and Intake.