DIRECTOR FAMILY SERVICES

WE ARE SHARING HOPE SC • North Charleston, SC

3d

About The Position

The Director of Family Services (DFS) provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for the Family Services Department, advancing We Are Sharing Hope SC’s (SHSC) mission to honor the gift of donation through exceptional advocacy, compassionate family support, and meaningful aftercare. This role ensures that donor families are treated with dignity and respect throughout the donation journey, before, during, and long after authorization, while cultivating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence across the organization. The DFS is responsible for guiding all aspects of the family approach and authorization process, strengthening donor family support initiatives, and creating impactful aftercare programs that preserve the legacies of donor heroes and provide enduring comfort to their loved ones.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in healthcare, counseling, social work, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in organ procurement, family support services, healthcare leadership, or related field; OPO experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing teams, with proven ability to inspire, coach, and cultivate leaders.
• Deep understanding of organ, eye, and tissue donation practices, with expertise in family advocacy, authorization, and aftercare.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory standards (OPTN, AOPO, CMS, and applicable federal/state laws).
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations with compassion and professionalism.
• Ability to participate in Administrator On-Call rotation and respond to referral sites within required timeframes.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision Develop and execute the strategic vision for Family Services, encompassing donor family approach, authorization, and aftercare. Establish and monitor departmental goals and objectives that align with SHSC’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence in donor family advocacy and care.
• Family Advocacy & Authorization Champion sensitive, compassionate, and effective family conversations to promote organ, eye, and tissue donation. Ensure that best practices and evidence-based methods guide the authorization process, supporting families in making informed decisions. Track and analyze barriers to authorization, collaborating with internal and external partners to improve outcomes. Identify and replicate best practices that strengthen authorization rates and enhance family-centered care.
• Aftercare & Donor Family Support Design, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive donor family aftercare program that includes meaningful communication, memorial events, ongoing resources, and opportunities for connection. Oversee donor family communication standards to ensure consistency, compassion, and excellence in every interaction. Evaluate family support and aftercare outcomes, ensuring services remain innovative, impactful, and aligned with national best practices.
• Quality, Compliance & Accountability Lead systems for ongoing case reviews to assess successes and areas of opportunity across authorization and aftercare. Ensure timely, thorough, and compliant documentation of all family interactions and aftercare services in accordance with SHSC policies, OPTN requirements, and AOPO standards. Regularly review, refine, and update departmental policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Staff Leadership & Development Recruit, mentor, and develop Family Services leaders and staff, fostering a team culture rooted in compassion, professionalism, and advocacy. Provide training, coaching, and professional development opportunities to strengthen staff competency in donor family approach, authorization, and aftercare. Develop systems to assess and maintain professional competency for all Family Services staff. Model and encourage effective leadership behaviors, ensuring the department is equipped for long-term growth and success.
• Collaboration & Partnership Build and sustain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, hospital partners, and external organizations to advance donor family services and enhance donation outcomes. Represent SHSC at local, regional, and national forums, sharing expertise and collaborating to advance best practices in donor family advocacy and aftercare. Collaborate across all SHSC departments to ensure alignment and integration of family services into organizational strategy and culture.
• Operational & Fiscal Stewardship Exercise fiscal responsibility, ensuring departmental operations are managed effectively within budgetary guidelines. Serve as Family Services Administrator On-Call (FS-AOC) as needed, ensuring real-time leadership in donation cases. Perform other duties as assigned in support of SHSC’s mission and strategic priorities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees