SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Homeless Division

Department of Family and Support Services

Number of Positions: 1

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $125,316.00/Year

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 09/08/2026

The Senior Director of Homeless Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the department's homeless services portfolio, ensuring programs are effectively designed, implemented, and continuously improved to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The role oversees multiple programs and teams, manages complex initiatives, and collaborates with executive leadership, community-based organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to advance the department's mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Balances Strategic planning with operational oversight by reviewing program performance addressing emerging issues, guiding staff, monitoring budges and contracts, ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirement, and making data-informed decisions to improve service delivery

Regularly represents the department in meetings with internal and external partners, develops policies and operational strategies, and leads cross-functional efforts to address system-wide challenges

Directs the work operations and administrative functions of a major social service division, overseeing strategic plan development and program design to ensure the division's established objectives in meeting the needs of the community are met

Provides oversight in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and quality work standards for the effective administration of programs and services

Oversees managerial staff responsible for supervising staff engaged in executing work plans, performing work operations and providing services to clients

Provides guidance and direction in developing programs and initiatives to effectively address social and support issues encountered by the City's population

Directs the preparation and administration of the division's budget and implements fiscal and budgetary controls to ensure monies are fully optimized and leveraged

Identifies and implements strategies to promote awareness of division programs and services (e.g., outreach campaigns, coordination with stakeholders, etc.)

Confers with executive level staff at the departmental level and the Mayor's Office to report on the progress towards stated objectives and the performance of various programs

Monitors and analyzes statistical data to identify trends in services and implements performance and service standards

Acts as a collaborative partner with key stakeholders (e.g., local organizations, governmental entities, and community-based coalitions, groups and agencies) in an effort to develop systematic response efforts

Evaluates the ongoing effectiveness of programs and services ensuring alignment with departmental, local and federal requirements as well as community needs

Directs the monitoring, compliance, and evaluation of delegate agencies responsible for the delivery of social service programs and services

Analyzes legislative proposals for impact on division operations and prepares recommendations identifying program impact

Creates linkages and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., sister agencies, community groups, private sector companies, etc.) to promote program continuity and the development of quality services and programs

Keeps abreast of best practices, benchmark, and innovative programs and services to identify trends in programmatic and service areas and implements changes to policies and procedures and performance and service standards as appropriate

Represents the department in meetings, planning groups, and work groups to discuss development of program policies, programs and services

Prepares various comprehensive management reports including programmatic, budgetary and performance based

Participates in the hiring and performance evaluation process for subordinate staff and makes recommendations for disciplinary action, as required

Location: 1615 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

Days: M - F

Hours: 9AM - 5PM

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus six 6) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which three (3) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree or higher in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which three (3) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus eight (8) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which three (3) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

Ten (10) years of work experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program of which three (3) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

Selection Criteria

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral part of the interview will be selected.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at: click here

For information about City of Chicago salaries and job titles, please click here

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer and Fair Chance Employer

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor