Assistant Vice President of Child & Family Services

Acenda•Glassboro, NJ

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President of Child & Family Supports provides senior operational leadership for a complex portfolio of child- and family-serving programs. The role is responsible for program outcomes, contractual and regulatory performance, financial management, workforce effectiveness, service quality, and strategic growth. It requires deep knowledge of New Jersey's Children's System of Care and demonstrated success leading DCF-funded or DCF-contracted programming. The AVP leads multiple directors and programs, navigates state systems and contractual expectations, and translates the organization's mission into disciplined operational and business practices that support Acenda's short- and long-term financial health. As an integrated health organization, Acenda values evidence-based and evidence-informed practices. Leaders are expected to balance quality, mission, client outcomes, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources. The position may involve duties beyond those listed, and the job description may be amended at the employer's discretion. The workforce member is expected to adhere to Acenda policies.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in child welfare, children's behavioral health, family support, or a closely related human-services environment.
Substantial responsibility for multiple programs, contracts, and leaders.
Expertise in New Jersey's Children's System of Care.
Experience leading DCF programs and contracts.
Knowledge of child welfare and family-support systems.
Multi-program operational leadership experience.
Strong financial management, budgeting, and contract stewardship.
Program implementation and performance-improvement skills.
Knowledge of evidence-based and evidence-informed service models.
Leadership development and executive accountability skills.
Data-driven decision-making and outcome-management skills.
Government and funder relationship-management skills.
Cross-system collaboration and strategic partnership-development skills.
Change leadership, executive communication, and sound judgment.
Executive-level judgment, external credibility, sophisticated stakeholder-management skills, and ability to lead through ambiguity and change.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and ability to travel throughout New Jersey as required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, public administration, healthcare administration, business administration, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
Experience developing new programs, responding to public procurements, launching state contracts, or expanding child and family service lines is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for assigned Child & Family Supports programs, holding program leaders accountable for quality, outcomes, access, staffing, contract performance, and financial results.
Serve as a subject-matter leader on New Jersey's Children's System of Care, DCF-funded services, child welfare, and related state-system requirements.
Use technology, including artificial intelligence, responsibly and intentionally to strengthen decision-making, operational effectiveness, and service delivery.
Ensure programs meet or exceed DCF contractual, reporting, quality, utilization, documentation, and performance requirements.
Develop annual operating plans and budgets; monitor revenue, expenses, staffing, productivity, service volume, and contract utilization; and take corrective action when performance deviates from plan.
Steward agency resources and ensure program decisions account for immediate service needs and long-term financial sustainability.
Lead, coach, and develop directors and senior program leaders; establish succession plans and clear performance expectations.
Build effective relationships with DCF, CSOC, Children's System of Care partners, counties, schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Identify program-development, procurement, grant, contract, and partnership opportunities to expand Acenda's child and family continuum.
Ensure programs are clinically and operationally prepared to implement evidence-based and evidence-informed models with fidelity when required.
Use performance data, client outcomes, referral trends, utilization, and financial information to identify risks and opportunities and drive action.