Homelessness Division Director

Position Description

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking to hire a Division Director to lead its Homelessness Division. Homelessness is a top priority for the City of Seattle, and the Homelessness Division focuses on the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness and long-term strategies to create impactful change. This position works in partnership with department staff, the Mayor's Office, community partners, private funders and many other stakeholders to recommend strategies, implement programs, and direct a continuum of services to increase the stability and welfare of all in need of shelter and related services.

The Homelessness Division Director is a permanent position and will report to the HSD Deputy Director.

HSD has a mission to "connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work and take part in strong, healthy communities." HSD is one of the largest investors to Seattle’s safety net, investing more than $89 million annually to community-based organizations that provide services to the most vulnerable neighborhoods and communities. The department's work involves planning, grant-making to nearly 200 community agencies, and providing direct services.

The department's work is focused on making impact in six areas:
1) all Seattle youth are successful;
2) Seattle is affordable and livable;
3) all people in Seattle are sheltered;
4) all older adults can age in place;
5) all people in Seattle experience optimum health; and
6) all in Seattle are free of gender-based violence.

The Homelessness Division Director leads a division of over 40 staff and has overall responsibility for program, policy, contractual, and fiscal oversight of over $175 million in funding for human services programs in areas of Homeless Investments;
Public Health investments; and Planning, Policy, and Strategy to ensure a safety net of services for adults and families experiencing homelessness is in place for Seattle residents. This division focuses on
1) responding to the needs of people living without shelter,
2) preventing homelessness, and
3) improving our homeless system response. The Division Director allocates resources, develops policies, and oversees program execution. This position is highly interactive with community, local and national government partners, elected officials, and the private sector to leverage resources, streamline processes, and improve service delivery.

This is an incredible opportunity for a passionate and visionary leader to pave the way and pioneer program strategies and service delivery designed to improve the lives of many who are among the most vulnerable in our community. This will include overseeing the transition of homeless service contracts from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) to HSD in 2027 and supporting Mayor Wilson’s efforts to accelerate shelter development.

We are looking for an individual who has an inherent commitment to race and social justice, a business partner who utilizes best practices and evidence-based methods to achieve measurable outcomes, a leader who embraces a work culture that cultivates the rich talent of staff, and an innovator who is strategic, politically savvy, and manages courageously to impact change.

• Collaborate with service providers and client advocates to develop and support direction on a spectrum of care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Direction over program policy development, planning, initiatives and implementation with a lens of racial equity, understanding of the current political landscape and in alignment with the department's strategic plan.
• Present program strategies and direction to…