Senior Director of Regional Social Services

THE SALVATION ARMY

NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

JOB TITLE: Senior Director of Regional Social Services

PEOPLE MANAGER: Yes

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Social Services

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

PAY GRADE:   412

PAY RANGE:   $116,207 - $145,259

 

WHO WE ARE

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to “Doing the Most Good”. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Regional Social Services provides direct supervision to the three Regional Directors of Social Services serving Northwest Illinois, Central Illinois, and Chicago. The role ensures consistent program oversight and site support across a large, geographically diverse Division by holding Regional Directors accountable for program quality, compliance, community engagement, and staff development within their regions. Working in close coordination with the Executive Director of Social Services and the three divisional Senior Directors for Program Operations, Mission Investment Management, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, the Senior Director ensures that Regional Directors and their teams have the resources, standards, and tools required to support program sites effectively.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to the following:

 

Regional Oversight and Divisional Authority

• Provides oversight of social services delivery across the Division's three geographic regions – Northwest Illinois, Central Illinois, and Chicago – ensuring Regional Directors connect program sites to Program Operations support, Mission Investment Management, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning.
• Provides direct supervision to the Regional Directors of Social Services, holding each accountable for the effectiveness of their regional team and the quality of support delivered to program sites.
• Establishes and maintains the standards, expectations, and accountability structures that guide Regional Directors in delivering consistent, high-quality support across their regions.
• Ensures clear role clarity across regional teams, resolving escalation questions as they arise and facilitating effective matrix relationships between Regional Directors and the divisional functional heads of Program Operations, Mission Investment Management, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning.
• Coordinates with the Senior Directors of Program Operations, Mission Investment Management, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning to ensure regional counterparts are effectively connected to divisional resources, standards, and tools.
• Anticipates and responds to changes in the regional operating environment and ensures Regional Directors are positioned to adapt their teams accordingly.

Impact Area Stewardship and Field Connectivity

• Ensures Regional Directors serve as effective partners with site advisory boards, providing strategic guidance on program planning and community-responsive program development within their impact areas.
• Ensures every active program site in each region has a clear and accessible regional point of contact for administrative support, program development, and capacity building.
• Monitors the effectiveness of Regional Directors and their teams across all three geographic regions for consistency, responsiveness, and quality of site support.
• Identifies patterns of field need across regions, ensures regional teams have what they need to support sites effectively, and escalates systemic issues to the Executive Director of Social Services.

Community Representation and Stakeholder Partnership

• Ensures Regional Directors represent The Salvation Army effectively at regional and local levels, connecting program sites to community service agencies, social service providers, governmental agencies, and funding sources.
• Supports Regional Directors in building and sustaining local stakeholder relationships that advance mission outcomes and increase community visibility for program sites.
• Coordinates with corps officers, program and related institution directors, and local advisory boards, through Regional Directors, to advance program development that is grounded in community need and aligned with divisional priorities.
• Represents The Salvation Army on regional and local committees, task forces, and community planning bodies, as assigned.
• Cooperates with other social service agencies in community planning, needs assessments, information and referral, and case management coordination, as appropriate.

Regional Program Oversight Coordination

• Oversees Regional Directors’ work to ensure program sites within each region maintain compliance with licensing, accreditation, and Salvation Army standards.
• Coordinates with the Senior Director of Mission Investment Management to ensure compliance support reaches program sites effectively through the matrix.
• Supports Regional Directors in conducting periodic program reviews that assess service quality, fiscal alignment, and consistency with divisional priorities.
• Coordinates with the Senior Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning to ensure outcome tools and performance tracking support reaches program sites effectively through the matrix.
• Ensures that program development proposals or modifications at the regional and site level reflect community need, divisional strategic priorities, and organizational capacity before advancing to the Executive Director. 

Capacity Building and Staff Development

• Builds the leadership capacity of Regional Directors through direct supervision, mentorship, and ongoing professional development, ensuring each director has the skills to lead their regional team effectively.
• Ensures Regional Directors equip their site-level teams with the knowledge, tools, and practical support needed to deliver programs effectively.
• Coordinates with the Senior Director of Program Operations to ensure Regional Directors and their teams are effectively connected to divisional training resources, program development support, and case management standards.
• Supports Regional Directors in developing the competency and effectiveness of regional team members who matrix to program sites.
• Schedules, as appropriate, in-service training, site visits, and professional development opportunities for regional social services personnel, in coordination with divisional functional leads. 

People and Culture

• Provides leadership, supervision, and development for the Regional Directors, and ensures regional team roles are staffed with individuals capable of delivering the mission effectively.
• Ensures the regional team operates in an environment characterized by clear direction, effective communication, teamwork, and ongoing professional growth.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration across the three regional teams and with divisional functional departments.
• Acts as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission in all internal and external relationships.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list 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.

 

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education

Master’s degree in social work, public administration, nonprofit management, human services, or a related field from an accredited institution is required.

Experience

• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in social services leadership, program management, or human services administration, preferably in a multi-site nonprofit, faith-based, or human services environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing staff across multiple geographic regions or sites.
• Demonstrated experience with program oversight and service quality review.

Licenses/Certifications

• Caseworker Certification within 120 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license and MVR clearance required for travel within the Division.

Skills/Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of social services field delivery, including community-based program operations, service coordination, and multi-site program management.
• Working knowledge of The Salvation Army’s history, mission, and structure, as well as its services, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage systems for regional service delivery, staff supervision, and program quality oversight.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize information from multiple regions and translate it into actionable direction.
• Strong leadership, team building, and conflict management skills, including the ability to lead across geographic boundaries and complex matrix relationships.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse communities, site personnel, local stakeholders, and divisional colleagues.
• Ability to manage multiple regions, priorities, and teams in a constantly changing environment.

JOB LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will adhere to all Salvation Army policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and a PC. The work environment for this position is an office environment with a low to moderate noise level. Travel by car or air within and occasionally outside the Division is required.

 

COMPETENCIES

• A passion for seeing clients, communities, and sites impacted through programs that fulfill the full mission of The Salvation Army.
• A commitment to working within the framework of a faith-based organization.
• A commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army.
• A decision-making approach that evaluates options in a way that maximizes resources within the context of mission, strategic plan, and fiscal realities.
• A demonstrated ability to develop and lead regional teams across multiple geographic areas and diverse community contexts.
• A management style that invests in the professional growth of Regional Directors and builds sustained regional leadership capacity.
• A communication and management style that exhibits the principles and values of The Salvation Army and fosters effective team relationships.
• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters positive relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and external partners.
• Treats staff, clients, donors, and visitors with courtesy, respect, and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.
• Must have an interest and ability to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.
• Comprehensive understanding of social services field delivery, including community-based program operations, service coordination, and multi-site program management.
• Knowledge of compliance, licensing, and accreditation standards for social service programs.
• Ability to assess and improve service delivery based on field conditions and divisional priorities.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.