Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Community Services Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Community Services Director leads the planning, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of community programs and services that support residents' wellbeing. This senior leadership role combines strategic program design, operational oversight, fiscal stewardship, cross‑sector partnership development, and frontline service quality assurance to achieve measurable community outcomes. The Director represents the organization with stakeholders including elected officials, government agencies, funders, nonprofits, and community groups.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Community Services Coordinator / Specialist
Program Manager, Social Services or Youth & Family Programs
Senior Case Manager or Social Work Supervisor

Advancement To:

Director of Human Services / Social Services
Chief Community Officer / Chief Program Officer
Deputy City Manager or Executive Director of a nonprofit

Lateral Moves:

Program Director (larger regional program)
Executive Director, nonprofit agency
Grants & Compliance Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive portfolio of community programs (e.g., youth services, senior services, family support, homelessness prevention, after‑school programs, recreation, and volunteer services) aligned with organizational strategy and community needs.
Lead strategic planning for community services, setting annual goals, measurable outcomes, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive impact and demonstrate program effectiveness to stakeholders and funders.
Oversee the full budget cycle for the community services division, including annual budget development, forecasting, expense monitoring, revenue diversification, cost‑control measures, and regular financial reporting to senior leadership and elected bodies.
Direct grant development and grant management activities: identify funding opportunities, prepare competitive proposals, administer awarded funds per grant agreements, maintain compliance, and prepare timely grant reports.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate a multidisciplinary team of program managers, caseworkers, outreach staff, and volunteers; establish staffing models, training plans, and performance management systems to build capacity and retain talent.
Ensure program compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, licensing requirements, contracting obligations, and organizational policies; coordinate audits and corrective action plans as necessary.
Design and implement robust program evaluation processes, using qualitative and quantitative methods to measure outcomes, collect client feedback, analyze service data, and produce actionable insights for program improvement.
Build and manage strategic community partnerships and interagency collaborations (e.g., schools, public health, law enforcement, housing providers, nonprofits) to expand service access, coordinate care, and leverage shared resources.
Serve as the primary liaison with elected officials, community advisory boards, and public committees; prepare briefing materials, present program updates, and represent the organization at public hearings and stakeholder meetings.
Develop and implement crisis response and emergency service protocols for community programs (e.g., natural disasters, public health emergencies, homelessness spikes), coordinating with emergency management and partner agencies to ensure continuity of services.
Oversee intake, assessment, case planning, and referral systems to ensure timely access to services and warm handoffs across programs; maintain client confidentiality and data security consistent with privacy laws.
Implement outcomes‑focused service delivery models and evidence‑based practices; lead pilot programs and scale successful initiatives to broader populations or geographies.
Negotiate, administer, and monitor contracts with vendors, service providers, and consultants; ensure deliverables meet quality standards and contractual obligations.
Develop and execute community outreach, engagement, and marketing strategies to increase program visibility, participation rates, and community trust; leverage digital platforms, community events, and targeted communications.
Establish and maintain data systems and dashboards to track service utilization, demographic trends, performance metrics, and funding outcomes; use data to inform resource allocation and strategic decisions.
Prioritize equity, inclusion, and cultural competence across all programs; design services that reduce barriers for historically underserved populations and integrate anti‑bias practices into staff training and service delivery.
Manage volunteer programs: recruit, train, place, and evaluate volunteers; develop recognition and retention strategies to maximize volunteer impact and community involvement.
Prepare, present, and submit written reports, policy recommendations, budget justifications, and grant narratives to internal leadership, funders, governing bodies, and the public; maintain accurate documentation and records.

Secondary Functions

Support cross‑departmental initiatives by providing subject matter expertise on community needs, service delivery models, and client outcomes to inform organizational strategy.
Lead or participate in multi‑disciplinary task forces focused on issues such as homelessness, youth development, aging services, public health, or neighborhood revitalization.
Coordinate internships and field placement opportunities with local universities and training programs to support workforce development and community capacity building.
Identify opportunities for program scaling, shared services, or public‑private partnerships that increase efficiency and impact while reducing duplication.
Contribute to the development and management of philanthropic campaigns, donor stewardship plans, and special events that generate unrestricted revenue for community programs.
Implement staff professional development programs, including leadership training, trauma‑informed care, cultural competency, and performance coaching to enhance service quality.
Facilitate community listening sessions, needs assessments, and stakeholder convenings to gather input, test program ideas, and ensure services respond to evolving community priorities.
Monitor emerging trends, best practices, and policy changes in social services and community development to proactively adapt programs and advise leadership on strategic implications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program design and implementation for human services, youth development, senior services, and/or homelessness prevention programs.
Budget development, financial management, and fiscal oversight for multi‑fund departmental budgets.
Grant writing, grant administration, and funder compliance, including federal and state funding streams.
Contract negotiation and vendor management, including RFP development, contractor oversight, and performance monitoring.
Data collection, performance measurement, and program evaluation methods (survey design, outcome metrics, data visualization).
Case management systems and client relationship management (CRM) platforms used in social services (e.g., HMIS, Efforts to Outcomes, Apricot, CaseWorthy).
Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and accreditation standards (e.g., confidentiality/HIPAA, child welfare, elder services).
Emergency preparedness and coordinated response planning for social services delivery.
Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace and basic familiarity with data tools (Excel pivot tables, dashboards, Power BI or Tableau).
Public policy analysis and experience preparing briefs, budget justifications, and policy recommendations for elected officials.

Soft Skills

Strategic leadership and people management: hiring, coaching, performance management, and team development.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for public speaking, community engagement, and professional report writing.
Relationship building and stakeholder engagement with diverse communities, funders, and partner agencies.
Cultural competence, empathy, and commitment to equity and inclusion in program design and service delivery.
Problem solving and critical thinking to resolve complex programmatic, operational, and client challenges.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills for managing partners, vendors, staff, and community disputes.
Adaptability and resilience in fast‑moving environments, including crisis situations and changing funding landscapes.
Project management, prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple initiatives with competing deadlines.
Advocacy and public representation skills to effectively champion programs to policymakers and community groups.
Data‑driven decision making: synthesize quantitative and qualitative information to inform strategy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Public Health, Human Services, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree (e.g., MSW, MPA, MPH) or equivalent advanced professional certification in social services, nonprofit management, or public administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Public Administration / Public Policy
Human Services / Community Development
Public Health
Nonprofit Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5–10 years of progressively responsible experience in community services, social services, or program management.

Preferred:

7+ years with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory or executive role managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, and grant portfolios. Demonstrated experience leading large, multi‑program initiatives, building cross‑sector partnerships, and delivering measurable community outcomes is highly desirable.