Homelessness Division Director

Seattle Human Services Department; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) seeks a Division Director to lead its Homelessness Division, directing a team of 40 and overseeing over $175 million in funding for homeless investments and related services.

The Director will collaborate with city leadership, community partners, and private funders to implement programs, set policy, and ensure a responsive, equity-focused homelessness system for Seattle residents.

Qualifications

• Eight years directing human services programs including homelessness and related areas.
• Two years at executive-level.
• Four years supervising staff.
• Proven commitment to equity and social justice.
• Experience building relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• 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 the Department Director, Deputy Director, Mayor, City Council, and community groups.
• Develop and implement a results-based accountability model to support current and future program direction.
• Direction over program budget, 175 contracts and agreements of over $175 million annually in homeless-related investments. Implements fiscal controls to meet department expectations and mitigate audit findings.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with City departments, government entities, private sector agencies, community-based groups, human services advocacy groups, clients and others to develop program strategies and direction, and garner program support.

Skills

Leadership

Political awareness

Strategic writing

Communication

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services, public administration, business, or related field

Master's degree in social work, public administration, business, or related field

Job description

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.

Job Responsibilities

• 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 the Department Director, Deputy Director, Mayor, City Council, and community groups.
• Develop and implement a results-based accountability model to support current and future program direction.
• Direction over program budget, 175 contracts and agreements of over $175 million annually in homeless-related investments. Implements fiscal controls to meet department expectations and mitigate audit findings.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with City departments, government entities, private sector agencies, community-based groups, human services advocacy groups, clients and others to develop program strategies and direction, and garner program support.
• Oversee operations with a staff of 40 and a management team of three. Manage and enhance workforce development, team relations, communications between cross-functional work groups, etc.
• Model a commitment to eliminate inequity and racial disparities.
• Hire and supervise direct reports, evaluate staff performance, provide feedback, coaching and corrective support as needed.
• Foster an environment that aligns with and supports the Director's vision and direction.
• Provide status on programs and critical issues to HSD Director, Deputy Director and others.
• Represent the City as the lead expert on the department's homelessness strategy and investments.
• Foster regional partnerships to garner support on program direction and program endeavors (All Home, Seattle Human Services Coalition, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree with technical expertise in human services, public administration, business, or related field or equivalent amount of combined executive leadership experience and education.

Work Experience

• Eight years of experience directing human services programs in one of the following areas: homelessness, social services, low-income housing and community development, and/or administration, to include leadership over operations, program development, negotiation, business partnering, management of operating budgets and managing staff. Work experience should also include building community consensus and demonstrated ability to work in partnership with stakeholders and constituents.
• Two years of experience at the executive-level.
• Four years of experience supervising staff in a management or executive role.
• Experience and commitment to building and cultivating community relationships.
• Demonstrated efforts that reduce racial disparities impacting the broader community.

Skills

• Proven leadership skills – ability to successfully lead and guide others in a meaningful way during times of change, clear on identifying goals and measurable objectives, passionate about your work and the work of others you lead, develop trust with employees and business partners, and manage courageously.
• Political awareness, including strategic management, effective communications, relationship building, ability to quickly analyze and synthesize complex information.
• Excellent strategic writing ability and presentation skills, be quick and sound to problem-solve and respond to controversial questions in a political environment.
• Strong acumen for business operations in the public and/or private sector.
• Shows compassion, authenticity, self-awareness, and innovation to effectively lead and motivate staff and advocate for HSD and its work.
• Has a reputation for exercising a high level of discretion, good judgment, and diplomacy and have cooperative working relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Experience utilizing data to gauge trends, support program direction, monitor program effectiveness and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of race and social justice principles and their application to this body of work.
• Critical analysis and creative problem-solving skills.
• Courage to rapidly resolve conflict.
• Ability to communicate information succinctly in a compelling manner.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, human services, public administration, business, or related field (or an equivalent substitution of qualified experience as described in this job ad.)
• Direct experience leading work in homelessness intervention and prevention, addressing hunger, and other related areas.
• Two years of experience at the executive-level.
• Experience working and communicating with elected officials, community-based organizations, and government agencies as well as navigating political, controversial, and contentious environments.
• Experience working with federally funded community development and homeless / housing programs, including compliance with applicable regulations and negotiating with federal agencies.
• Skill in project design/management, and high level of people and process management skills including mediating between competing interests across multiple teams.
• A well-developed understanding of equity and social justice principles and experience leading teams and/or implementing policies that integrate equity and social justice into program design and workplace culture.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $66.88 - $110.35 an hour.

The first pull of resumes will be on September 8, 2026.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, which may include a detailed background check, pre-placement physical exam, and/or full driver's abstract, dependent upon position.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.