Children, Youth and Young Adults Division Director

King-County,-W; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Department of Community and Human Services seeks a seasoned Division Director for the Children, Youth and Young Adults Division (CYYAD). The role leads a team of ~80 professionals and partners with county agencies to transform youth services and equity in outcomes.

The Division Director reports to the DCHS Director and represents King County on regional and community boards, engaging with officials, partners, and community stakeholders to advance system-wide impact.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience directing large public sector health and human services operations.
• Proven ability to manage contracts with community providers and funders.
• Strong understanding of equity, racial and social justice principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for CYYAD programs, aligning with county goals.
• Oversee contracted providers, ensuring high-quality service delivery and contract performance.
• Embed Equity, Racial and Social Justice into policies, practices, and operations.
• Use performance data to plan, administer, and fund community services.
• Develop cross-department collaboration to improve outcomes and efficiency.
• Direct the division's budget planning and financial stewardship.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Contract Management

Equity & Justice

Data-driven Decisions

Tools

Budget Oversight

Public Sector Governance

Job description

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks a seasoned, visionary, and highly skilled leader to serve as the Appointed Division Director of the Children, Youth and Young Adults Division (CYYAD). The CYYAD Director oversees a team of approximately 80 professionals. The CYYAD strives for all young people to have equitable opportunities to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving members of their communities. The CYYAD team manages investment strategies that build life, academic, and employment skills for young people to reach their full potential. The division also delivers re-engagement, education, and employment programs for youth and young adults and is partnering with King County agencies and community organizations to transform the County's juvenile legal system.

The Division Director reports to the DCHS Department Director and serves as the lead children, youth, and young adult advisor to the King County Executive. This role represents King County on interjurisdictional, regional, and community boards, committees, and work groups that shape the future of children, youth, and young adult services across a racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse county. The Division Director serves as a public-facing leader who routinely engages with elected officials, media, partners, and community stakeholders.

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community. Largely through contracting with a trusted network of community-based agencies, DCHS administers over $1 billion in public funds a year to provide King County residents with much-needed services for youth and young adult education and employment, supports for children and their families, behavioral health prevention and treatment, housing and community development, veterans, older adults, women's program services, and developmental disabilities to help our county's most vulnerable residents and strengthen our communities. DCHS envisions a welcoming community that is racially just, as the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for the King County community.

WHO MAY APPLY:This position is open to all qualified candidates who meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around October 26, 2026.

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm.

• This position is not represented by a union.
• This is an appointed career service-exempt Division Director leadership position. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to lead and advance the division’s strategic priorities. Consistent with King County requirements for appointed positions, the appointment is at-will and may be ended at any time, with or without cause.
• Classification: Division Director – Children, Youth and Young Adult

MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: DCHS works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is the Chinook Building at 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

To be considered minimally qualified applicant must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skills and ability to:

Provide Strategic Leadership and Direction

• Provide clear vision, direction, and strategic planning for CYYAD programs, ensuring alignment with department and countywide goals.
• Oversee a broad network of contracted providers, ensuring high-quality service delivery and effective contract management.
• Implement programs and services that reflect King County’s principles and priorities, including Equity, Racial and Social Justice, embedding these values into policies, practices, and operations.
• Use advanced analytic skills to interpret performance data to plan, administer, and fund community-based children, youth, and young adult services.
• Apply a deep understanding of how place, race, policy, and systemic inequities affect marginalized communities and integrate these insights into programs and strategies.
• Lead and foster cross-department collaboration to improve outcomes, align priorities, streamline operations, and strengthen system-wide efforts.

Division Operations and Partnerships

• Establish and monitor division-wide performance benchmarks, quality measures, and outcome reporting systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Drive continuous improvement in service quality, customer service, and data-driven decision-making.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and proactively identify and mitigate operational, financial, and service-related risks.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners, including Executive Office staff, Councilmembers and council staffers, community providers, funders, and other county departments and divisions.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of required reports and deliverables for funders, the County Executive, and the King County Council.
• Strengthen collaboration with other DCHS divisions and county agencies to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery and consistent policy implementation.

Team Leadership and Culture Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing workforce, including administrative employees and employees responsible for providing direct services.
• Oversee managers and supervisors, assign work, conduct performance evaluations, and provide supportive coaching and development.
• Cultivate an inclusive, equitable, and thriving workplace culture where all staff can grow, collaborate, and contribute.
• Inspire excellence, accountability, and professional growth throughout the division.
• Serve as a contributing member of the DCHS Leadership Team.
• Model ethical leadership, guiding teams and partners toward decisions that strengthen community trust and long-term outcomes.

Financial Stewardship and Resource Management

• Direct the planning, development, and administration of the division's ~$200 million annual budget.
• Oversee development and management of the biennial budget, lead forecasting, and partner with the Chief Financial Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer to ensure effective stewardship of resources.
• Develop financial strategies that optimize resources, respond to a changing funding landscape, and ensure compliance with all funder and regulatory requirements.
• Build coalitions and strategic partnerships with diverse funders including federal, state, local governments, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations.

Executive Representation and Priority Management

• Serve as the division's lead representative in politically sensitive matters, engaging with media, legislative bodies, community stakeholders, other departments, and partner jurisdictions.
• Coordinate with regional and statewide partners to advance system alignment, improve service outcomes for children, youth, and young adults, and ensure compliance with statewide priorities and mandates.
• Navigate complex policy environments and provide clear, strategic guidance on issues affecting children, youth, and young adult services.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with local jurisdictions, tribal governments, regional coalitions, service providers, and community-based organizations.

• Extensive leadership experience (5+ yrs) directing large, complex public sector health and human services operations, including strategic planning, program administration, and performance management.
• Executive-level leadership experience (5+ yrs) managing large-scale initiatives, community-based contracts, and direct service operations.
• Proven ability to manage substantial budgets (preferably $100M+), including forecasting, resource allocation, compliance oversight, and funder engagement.
• Advanced knowledge of public sector funding
• Advanced experience using performance data, evaluation methods, and outcome measures to drive decisions, improve programs, and advance accountability.