Director of Social Services

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Rockford, IL

About The Position

The Social Services Director for The Salvation Army of Winnebago County plays a critical leadership role in advancing the mission of The Salvation Army through effective, compassionate, and strategic delivery of social services. This position works collaboratively with Winnebago County, internal departments including Development, EDS, and Operations, the Rockford Temple Corps, and a wide range of community partners. This position fosters strong communication, consultation, cooperation, and coordination to enhance service effectiveness and community impact. The Director is responsible for establishing and implementing both short- and long-term strategies, policies, and operational plans that ensure high-quality, mission-driven social services. This role provides oversight, leadership, and direction to support sustainable programs that respond to community needs while upholding The Salvation Army’s values and standards. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW FACILITY, THE HOPE CENTER. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, MAINTAIN CONTINUITY OF SERVICES, AND SUPPORT STAFF AND PROGRAM READINESS WHILE ALIGNING WITH THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION.

Requirements

Education: MSW, non-profit administration, human services management or a related field accepted
Experience: 3-5 years of experience in progressively responsible positions managing social service programs

Nice To Haves

Bilingual- Spanish or other language

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the daily operations of the Social Services Department, including supervision of all social service staff and volunteers.
Provide reflective supervision that supports staff well-being, professional growth, accountability, and mission alignment.
Support staff development through coaching, training, performance feedback, and participation in professional development opportunities.
Engage in strategic planning to assess department needs, set priorities, and guide short- and long-term program and service delivery goals.
Oversee payroll processing, timekeeping, and staff scheduling to ensure compliance with Salvation Army policies and operational needs.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of statistics related to programs, grants, Pathway of Hope outcomes, and divisional requirements.
Ensure all funding sources, including grants, donations, and internal allocations, are administered in compliance with the approved budget, applicable contracts, agreements, policies, and reporting requirements.
Provide oversight of department record keeping, ensuring confidentiality, proper document disposal, and maintenance of the Program Policy and Procedure Manual.
Complete all required Salvation Army employee, Illinois-specific compliance, and mandated social services training.
Assist the County Coordinator and/or officer assigned to support this area to establish connections with the Winnebago County community, including various social service agencies and government entities.
Perform all other duties as assigned.
Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with social service agencies and partners throughout Winnebago County and represent The Salvation Army at local and regional social service meetings to strengthen partnerships and advance the mission.
Engage in public speaking, media appearances, presentations, and advocacy as needed to promote The Salvation Army and its social services mission.
Support the recruitment of volunteers and donors to strengthen programs and community impact.
Meet regularly with the Corps Officer to report on social service activities, share relevant information, and collaborate on opportunities for mission integration across programs and ministries.
Collaborate with the Rockford Temple Corps Pastoral Care team to provide holistic support for social service participants, including appropriate referrals, spiritual care, and ministry engagement as aligned with The Salvation Army mission.
Coordinate and oversee the operations of all social service and seasonal programs: Emergency assistance, Pantry, Pathway of Hope, Life Enrichment, Feed the Need, Golden Hearts, Koats4Kids, Angel Tree
Maintain awareness of emerging needs, opportunities, and trends within Winnebago County and use this information to evaluate, enhance, or develop social service programs.
Meet with the Divisional Pathway of Hope Project Manager, Regional Social Work Manager, Pathway of Hope Caseworker and Corps Officer in the development of the annual local Pathway of Hope plan and ensure progress toward established goals and outcomes.
Collaborate with the Operations Director to plan and execute logistics for seasonal social programs such as food drives and Christmas initiatives and provide support for Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) operations as needed.
Oversee internship opportunities for students and volunteers in relevant social service fields, providing mentorship, guidance, and meaningful hands-on learning experiences.