Director, Department of Health & Human Services

With its mission of empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives, the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides a wide range of trauma-informed and person-centered services to children and adults through age 60.  Programs focus on providing services for youth, families, and persons with disabilities and behavioral health issues. 

With a culture of continuous improvement, the Milwaukee County Executive and the DHHS strive to meet best national practices and then, even further, to make the County’s human services the “best in the field.”  The DHHS Director position is an exceptional opportunity for the right candidate to employ all of his/her skills in management, leadership, partnership, visionary thinking and advocacy for a strong agency composed of a highly talented and committed leadership team and supportive county executive.  Reporting to the Milwaukee County Executive, the DHHS Director will be a nimble and committed leader who partners with, helps to inspire, and serves as the face of the organization to staff, clients, and partners. 

We seek a proven, accomplished leader with a passion for the mission and who is driven to make a significant difference in the world and his/her community.  This values-based individual will bring leadership characterized by unwavering integrity, an ability to garner broad community support, and the ability to lead and execute strategic plans that impact human care and public policy in an often challenging political environment. 

Given the unique and diverse revenue streams of the department, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of successfully managing large, complex budgets and agreements in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, the candidate will be able to, in the most optimum and transparent way, establish strong working relationships with the Board of Supervisors. Comfort with actively cultivating relationships at the top levels of legislative and administrative leadership is a must.

Specific experience in social service management is preferred but not required. At minimum, an affinity for the creation and delivery of human services to individuals, families and children must be evident through previous experiences.  A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required; a master’s degree is strongly recommended.  Affiliation with and leadership in local, state, or national professional associations related to human services would be a plus.