Economic Mobility Director, #W5462

Title: Economic Mobility Director, #W5462

State Role Title: Prog Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: $104,000 – $125,000 per year (salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

The Economic Mobility Director, reporting to the Deputy Commissioner, Strategy & Engagement, plays a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s workforce strategy and overseeing the implementation of its programs. This position is responsible for designing and executing career pathways and support services that drive economic mobility for individuals served through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Virginia Initiative for Employment and Work (VIEW), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T), and child support services. This role is responsible for overseeing operations and performance outcomes while setting the strategic direction for the office. The role requires developing and expanding sectoral training programs, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships that not only provide immediate employment opportunities but also lay the foundation for long-term financial stability and career advancement. In addition to managing policy development, personnel management, fiscal operations, and performance reporting, the director will collaborate with local social service departments, workforce agencies and boards, and educational institutions to align resources, eliminate redundancies, and create a cohesive, results-driven workforce development system. Strong partnerships with private sector employers, nonprofit organizations, and the Virginia Community College System will be essential to building sustainable pathways out of poverty and into stable, well-paying careers.

The director will develop and implement a proactive employer engagement strategy that prioritizes long-term workforce partnerships over short-term job placements. This includes working closely with businesses to create structured hiring pipelines, employer-sponsored training programs, and sustainable career pathways that align with industry needs. The role will require direct collaboration with employers to develop tailored skills training, apprenticeship opportunities, and industry certifications that improve job retention and wage growth for VDSS clients. Employer engagement success will be assessed based on sustained hiring commitments, client wage progression, and career advancement outcomes

The director will ensure that workforce programs lead to meaningful, long-term employment for clients. This requires continuous evaluation of job retention rates, wage progression, and career advancement opportunities. Using real-time labor market data, the director will adjust training and placement strategies to match employer demand with client skill sets. Rather than prioritizing quick job placements, the director will focus on creating structured career pathways that lead to economic independence, ensuring that clients transition from low-wage jobs to sustainable careers with opportunities for wage growth and professional development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in workforce development, economi