Opportunity Center Director

Introduction

Are you a current Department of Social Services employee seeking your next opportunity?

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is accepting applications for an anticipated Opportunity Center Director (Social Services Program Division Director).

The Opportunity Center Director will lead this initiative from functional pilot and scale towards the integrated service delivery model. This is both an operating role and a systems-change role: you will manage state and community based physical hubs, a programmatic model, forge deep partnerships with sister agencies and community-based organizations, and hold accountability for measurable outcomes across some of Connecticut's highest-need communities.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• LOCATION: Hartford, CT
• SHIFT: First (full time | 40 hours per week) | Hybrid
• SCHEDULE: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
• NOTE: You must be a current DSS employee to be considered. Please see selection plan for additional details.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Opportunity Center Director will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and community collaboration for a centralized hub serving individuals and families experiencing barriers to stability and self-sufficiency.

LEAD INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY

• Design and operationalize the Opportunity Center as both state and community based physical service hubs and a replicable programmatic model across the state.
• Develop integrated intake, navigation, and follow-through protocols that connect residents to DSS programs - including HUSKY Health, SNAP, TANF, and wraparound services - through a single, coordinated experience.
• Build and manage a multidisciplinary team of benefit navigators, eligibility specialists, and community liaisons embedded within the Center.
• Support and ensure participant-centered case coordination across state and partner agencies

DRIVE CROSS-AGENCY COORDINATION

• Serve as DSS's primary cross-agency integration lead, partnering with sister agencies including DCF, DOL, OHA, and DMHAS to align service delivery and reduce fragmentation for shared clients.
• Establish formal referral, data-sharing, and co-location agreements that create seamless handoffs across agency lines.
• Represent DSS in interagency working groups, Governor's Office convenings, and multi-sector coalitions focused on integrated human services.

BUILD THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ECOSYSTEM

• Cultivate and manage a network of community-based organizations (CBOs), faith institutions, legal aid providers, and health partners serving as trusted co-navigators within the Opportunity Center model.
• Convene regular partner meetings to improve communication, coordination and shared accountability
• Design structures for authentic community voice in service design - ensuring lived experience informs operations without creating performative engagement.
• Lead community outreach strategy to reach populations who have historically disengaged from public benefit systems.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGE OPERATIONS

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Opportunity Center, including staffing, facilities coordination, partner contracts, and budget management.
• Provide strategic leadership for all Opportunity Center operations
• Develop and implement policies that have a collective impact on the coordinated network of state and community partners to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations

PERFORMANCE, COMMUNITY IMPACT AND DATA

• Establish a performance framework with clear metrics across enrollment outcomes, service touchpoints, case resolution, and community trust indicators.
• Support evaluation efforts demonstrating improvements
• Produce regular reports for DSS leadership, the Governor's Office, and external stakeholders on model performance and replication readiness.

We are not looking for a traditional program manager. We are looking for a builder - someone who can hold complexity, navigate bureaucracy without being captured by it, and bring communities and agencies together around shared outcomes.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strategic systems thinker who can connect program design, operational delivery, and community trust-building into a coherent model.
• Skilled communicator and relationship-builder - equally fluent with government executives, frontline workers, and community members.
• Analytically grounded: able to define metrics, interpret data, and translate insights into operational decisions.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by the challenge of building something new within a large public institution. Visionary leadership
• Deep commitment to equity, dignity, and the belief that government can - and must - do better for the people it serves.
• Strategic planning and organizational development experience
• Strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills

WHY THIS ROLE, WHY NOW?

• You will have direct access to and support from the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner to move with speed and seriousness.
• Connecticut is actively investing in Medicaid innovation, eligibility modernization, and community-centered design - this role sits at the center of that agenda.
• You will build something with a real mandate, real resources, and real accountability - not a pilot with no path to scale.
• This is a visible, high-impact role within a Governor's administration that has made integrated service delivery a strategic priority.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for directing the design, development and implementation of multiple state and federal programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages program development and all other division activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Coordinates development of related policy and regulations;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Participates in preparation of division budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities;
• Oversees development of state and federal plans and preparation of state and federal reports;
• Ensures consistency in delivery of related services throughout agency;
• Monitors program activities and development of related corrective action plans;
• Ensures technical assistance to agency offices for pertinent programs;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and statistical reporting data;
  • programs administered through department;
  • principles and methods of social services administration;
  • legislative process;
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