DHS DIVISION MANAGER

State of Arkansas; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 104,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public pension

Maternity leave

Paid state holidays

Job summary

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Division Manager to provide strategic leadership and oversight of a major division. This role manages human service programs, ensures regulatory compliance, coordinates interagency collaboration, and directs initiatives improving the well-being of Arkansans.

The Division Manager leads multidisciplinary teams, sets priorities, and ensures effective service delivery to meet clients and communities' needs.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in human services or public administration, including 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in leading large, complex public sector procurement operations.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal procurement laws, and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, policy development, and program execution.
• Oversee budgeting, staffing, risk management, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Supervise high-level administrative and program staff; delegate responsibilities to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Analyze performance metrics, service gaps, and emerging issues to inform upper leadership.
• Represent the division/office in executive-level meetings, legislative hearings, and public forums.
• Ensure continuous quality improvement initiatives are implemented and sustained.
• Oversee the development of training programs, workforce development initiatives, and succession planning.
• Direct crisis response and emergency preparedness initiatives.
• Coordinate with DHS executive leadership to align division/office goals with department-wide strategic objectives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Public administration knowledge

Policy development

Stakeholder collaboration

Fiscal management

Job description

• Lead and oversee all DHS procurement activities, including contracts, grants, and purchase orders.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Direct vendor selection, contract evaluation, negotiations, awards, and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate procurement efforts statewide by working with divisions, support offices, and external partners.
• Serve as DHS’s primary procurement authority, ensuring accountability, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Position Number: 22163120

County: Pulaski

Posting End Date: September 10, 2026

Job Duties

• Lead and oversee all DHS procurement activities, including contracts, grants, and purchase orders.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Direct vendor selection, contract evaluation, negotiations, awards, and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate procurement efforts statewide by working with divisions, support offices, and external partners.
• Serve as DHS’s primary procurement authority, ensuring accountability, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading large, complex public sector procurement operations.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal procurement laws, human services regulations, and compliance standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high volume contracting, grant administration, and vendor negotiations.
• Proven leadership experience supervising diverse teams and managing cross agency coordination.
• Advanced skills in fiscal management, internal controls, audit preparation, and risk mitigation.

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.

Position Information

Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive

Classification: DHS Division Manager

Class Code: SSP04C

Pay Grade: SPC07

Salary Range: $103,991 - $153,907

Job Summary

The DHS Division Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a major division/office within the Arkansas Department of Human Services. This role is responsible for managing human service programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating interagency collaboration, and directing initiatives that improve the well-being of Arkansans. The Division Manager leads multidisciplinary teams, establishes priorities, and ensures effective service delivery to meet the needs of clients and communities.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning, policy development, and program execution. Manage operations including budgeting, staffing, risk management, and compliance with state and federal regulations. Supervise high-level administrative and program staff; delegate responsibilities to ensure efficient service delivery. Analyze performance metrics, service gaps, and emerging issues to inform upper leadership. Represent the division/office in executive-level meetings, legislative hearings, and public forums. Ensure continuous quality improvement initiatives are implemented and sustained. Oversee the development of training programs, workforce development initiatives, and succession planning. Direct crisis response and emergency preparedness initiatives. Coordinate with DHS executive leadership to align division/office goals with department-wide strategic objectives.

Knowledge And Skills

Knowledge of personnel policies and labor laws, strategic planning, and public sector frameworks. Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing human services and public administration, principles of fiscal management, and resource allocation. Ability to develop partnerships, lead large and diverse teams, and evaluate programs. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities, develop and coordinate financial plans, and make sound decisions under pressure. Skilled in time management, organization, and problem solving.

Minimum Qualifications

At least five years of experience in human services, public administration, program administration, or a related field, including two years in a leadership capacity.

Licensure/Certifications

N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.