Assistant Vice President of Child & Family Services

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Position Summary:

The Assistant Vice President of Child & Family Supports provides senior operational leadership for a complex portfolio of child- and family-serving programs. The AVP is responsible for ensuring strong program outcomes, contractual and regulatory performance, sound financial management, workforce effectiveness, service quality and strategic growth. This role requires deep working knowledge of New Jersey's Children's System of Care and demonstrated success leading Department of Children and Families (DCF)-funded or DCF-contracted programming. The AVP must be able to lead multiple directors and programs, navigate state systems and contractual expectations, and translate mission into disciplined business and operational practices that support Acenda's short- and long-term financial health. 

As an integrated health organization, Acenda values the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and expects leaders to balance quality, mission, client outcomes and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for assigned Child & Family Supports programs and hold program leaders accountable for quality, outcomes, access, staffing, contract performance and financial results, which align with Acenda’s mission, values and standards of excellence..

• Serve as a subject-matter leader regarding New Jersey's Children's System of Care, DCF-funded services, child welfare and related state-system requirements relevant to the portfolio.

• Leverage technology, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, in a responsible, intentional, and community-centered manner to strengthen decision-making, improve operational effectiveness, enhance service delivery, and advance Acenda’s mission.

• Ensure assigned programs meet or exceed DCF contractual, reporting, quality, utilization, documentation and performance requirements.

• Develop annual operating plans and budget development; monitor revenue, expenses, staffing, productivity, service volume and contract utilization and implement corrective action when performance varies from plan.

• Demonstrate disciplined stewardship of agency resources and ensure program decisions consider both 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 working relationships with DCF, CSOC, Children's System of Care partners, counties, schools, healthcare providers, community organizations and other key stakeholders.

• Identify program-development, procurement, grant, contract and partnership opportunities that strategically expand Acenda's child and family continuum.

• Ensure programs are clinically and operationally prepared to implement evidence-based and evidence-informed models with fidelity where required.

• Use performance data, client outcomes, referral trends, utilization and financial information to identify risks and opportunities and drive action.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• New Jersey Children's System of Care expertise

• DCF program and contract leadership

• Child welfare and family-support systems knowledge

• Multi-program operational leadership

• Demonstrated strong financial management, budgeting and contract stewardship

• Program implementation and performance improvement

• Evidence-based/evidence-informed service models

• Leadership development and executive accountability

• Data-driven decision making and outcome management

• Government and funder relationship management

• Cross-system collaboration and strategic partnership development

• Change leadership, executive communication and sound judgment 

Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, public administration, healthcare administration, business administration or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

• 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 is required.
• Experience developing new programs, responding to public procurements, launching state contracts or expanding child/family service lines is strongly preferred.

• Must demonstrate executive-level judgment, strong external credibility, sophisticated stakeholder-management skills and the 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.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

• Repeated motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

• The employee must occasionally move about to accomplish tasks, adjust or move objects up to 20 pounds.

• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information.

• Ability to drive a vehicle.

What we provide: 

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency 

• Mission-driven core 
• Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family 
• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp 
• Generous time-off 
• Life Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Year-end bonuses
• Starting Salary of $100,000 

Disclaimer:

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. The workforce member is expected to adhere to all policies of Acenda.

Department/Program