Director Of Social Services

Location:  The Southern Territory Headquarters – Nashville, TN  

About this opportunity:

'The Director of Social Services provides extensive analysis of Command 's mission impact measurements and determines what factors will contribute to or impede the ability to obtain those goals. Research grant opportunities. Writes grants independently and in conjunction with Program Managers. 'This position also plans, develops, and evaluates all program activities housed in and/or generated from the Nashville Area Command. Coordinates overall operations of the Supportive Housing Program, Direct Assistance (Emergency Services), Family Resource Center, Center of Hope Programs (men, women, and families), Pathway of Hope, and Outreach programs of the Nashville Area Command.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop mission strategy for the next 3-5 years to ensure the stability of programs, stable and growth financial position through grants and contracts, and partners with Area Commander to increase social standing within the community.
• Creates goals to achieve strategies and coordinates with staff and process for impact measurements.
• Coordinates, organizes, and processes applications, grants, contracts and licensing agreements in their entirety for review by the Area Commander, Director of Development, Assistant Director of Social Services, and appropriate Program Managers, and Corps Officers to be sent to Divisional Headquarters and the Divisional Finance Board-in a timely manner to ensure tumaround time falls within the deadlines set by contracting agencies; reviews contracts and licensing agreements for compliance with govemment regulations and Salvation Army policies; checks budget figures, reviews social services face sheet for accuracy and completeness.
• Provides comparisons of current and future strategies, review of current and future financial needs, and forecasts future economic and consumer trends. Analyze the budget trends and make recommendations for cost control and reduction for various grants
• Prepares specific program budgets, with assistance from program managers, in regard to facility and Salvation Army fiscal management needs, Requests for Proposals (RFP) and grant making; maintains preparedness to adequately interpret to Salvation Army officials and contract personnel as appropriate and needed; makes recommendations to the Area Commander for fiscal accountability and responsibility regarding program budget requirements; directs programs to operate within budgetary constraints; monitors the client census and program incomes.
• Advises the Area Commander at weekly staff meetings on policy and administrative issues; identifies social welfare matters, status of all contracts, program and fiscal audits that are scheduled, and discussing all fiscal matters.
• Pelfonn functions of Grant Monitoring and approving to include, but not limited to: reviewing and approving and timely submission of grant applications and reports, request adjustments of associated budgets, coordination of budgeted funds, screening and processing requests for expenditures and ensuring the timely application for reimbursement from the state.
• Provide detailed reports to the funders and the board of directors with respect to the organization's progress
• Review invoices and budget plans and allocation along with the planning and finance department in accordance with each requirenlent. Monitor paperwork and other related documents connected with grant-funded programs
• Oversees the job of invoicing, accounting, reporting, and other administrative functions to ensure successful execution of grant process
• Oversee if the grants are implelnented according to the operational and financial needs of the organization
• Senre as a State liaison between other departments, regions, and Headquarters on issues regard ing grants
• Serves as contact for Nashville Area Command, FRC programs for contracting and licensing agencies.
• Processes new or amended contracts through Divisional Headquarters and Territorial Headquarters.
• Prepares written narrative responses as needed or requested conceming contract and grant proposals.
• Develops implementation of all Nashville Area Command, FRC programs.
• Conducts and participates in program staff meetings and task force groups to plan and evaluate the development of new programs.
• Develops program curriculum; conducts random audits of program operations and records in order to evaluate program compliance of all programs with contract, licensure and Salvation Amy requirements.
• Oversee all Nashville Area Command/Magness Potter programs; facilities leadership and management meetings with program managers on a weekly basis; provides instruction and guidance on action to be taken, policies to be initiated and procedures to be followed.
• Interviews, selects, and hires Program Directors for programs, manages and oversees and approves all other positions within the constraints of the approved budget and within the guidelines provided by the Human Resource department.
• Ensures the integrity and maintenance of all Nashville Area Command and /FRC record keeping systems and procedures.
• Conducts random audits to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Ensures the confidentiality of all client files.
• Presents to the Area Commander supporting rationale for building and equipment repairs and replacements, furnishing requirements, renovations needed, vehicle needs and security issues.
• Provides oversight and coordination during first year of new grants to ensure compliance and measurable outcomes.
• Manage program/grant contracts and licensing agreements including renewals, relicensing, amendments and extensions.
• Identifies Command's strengths and weaknesses and determines ways to implement new strategies; discusses areas for improvement with Area Commanders.
• Suggests changes for the Command by providing comprehensive reports regarding improvements or changes needed to reach current and future goals; suggests additional funding for specific business units, hiring or terminating staff, and restructuring of Departments/Departmental goals.
• Oversees admissions functions to ensure continued and steady intake of clients into residential programs and to ensure optimum occupancy and utilization of bed capacity to meet income projection.
• Interprets and implements new facility policies and procedures in conjunction with Program Director and Assistant Director of Social Services as directed by the Area Commander. Negotiates with contractors on per diem costs, as well as, unit costs to operate program.
• Encourages and provides staff development programs to increase the professional skills and career development for all employees.
• Discusses personnel issues with the Human Resources Manager; addresses vacancies in programs, personnel evaluations, approving leave requests for all personnel and approving all new hires and voluntary terminations or resignations.
• Reviews personnel evaluations on employees and makes comments as appropriate prior to performance interviews conducted by the employee's supervisor; initials and approves any reminders, wamings or reprimands issued to personnel.
• Conducts annual perforrnance evaluations for direct reports.
• With the assistance of the Human Resource department, ensures legal requests such as warrants, subpoenas, court orders, etc., are carried out according to policy.
• Determines staff training and development needs to comply with contract, licensure, and Salvation Arrny requirements.
• Coordinates and monitors the development and implementation of staff workshops and training; ensures Assistant Director of Social Services meet or exceed all requirements for training.
• Develops with the program managers a corrective plan of action to address any audit or program exceptions noted during the review for presentation to the funding agent and the Area Commander.
• Advises the Area Commander of community development and trends affecting Nashville Area Command, FRC programs and funding.
• Represents The Salvation Arrny at community and program meetings; disseminates community developments and trends to the Area Commander for planning and development of new programs to meet changing needs within the community.
• Represents The Salvation Arrny Nashville Area Command, FRC to the community as a member and participant in a variety of coalitions, consortiums, organizations and network groups; interprets The Salvation Army and all of its services to these groups and to the public.

What we are looking for in you:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a related field with a Master's degree in Administration, Economics or Finance preferred, and

Seven years of continuous experience in administrative work with at least three years' experience in a supervisory role and experience in grantsmanship, conflict resolution, personnel management, public speaking, and experience working with legal documents and procedures including court work, or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver's License and MVR Report.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Ability to meet attendance requirements.

Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language.

Ability to read and comprehend legal terminology in order to determine compliance.

Ability to perform public speaking.

Ability to calculate figures and analyze complex mathematical computations with accuracy.

Ability to make sound and quick decisions.

Ability to take complex issues and break them down into manageable units.

Ability to conduct and lead group presentations.

Ability to lift and carry and/or push/pull moderately heavy (25-50 lbs) materials, supplies and equipment.

Employee Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plans and more!

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army offers a broad range of career opportunities, particularly targeted toward those motivated by our mission, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army strives to do the “Most Good” for its employees by offering a greater sense of purpose in the work performed, by training and mentoring employees and by offering competitive compensation and benefit plans.  Whether employed as a truck driver, administrative support team member or the director of a program, our employees understand at the core of their work is the opportunity to be an integral part of an organization that is Doing the Most Good.

Five values at the heart of everything we do…We are…

• Passionate
• Compassionate
• Uplifting
• Brave
• Trustworthy

Additional Information:

All employees recognize The Salvation Army is a church and agree they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

To apply, click on the “Apply Now” icon at the bottom of this posting.

Application Submittal Period:  4/23/2025- till filled

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

When an application is selected for review, typically, only applicants who indicate the relevant education and experience requirements, as indicated in the job description for the position, may be considered for job openings. Please FULLY complete the application, answer questions completely, honestly and to the best of your ability. Please also upload a copy of your resume (when available). Those applicants requiring accommodation to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Human Resources Department at the applicable location.

We appreciate your interest in employment opportunities with The Salvation Army!