Director of Human Services Department, Allegheny County

HR&A Advisors has been retained by Allegheny County to assist with this search.

ABOUT THE INNAMORATO ADMINISTRATION

The Director of Human Services (DHS) will work within one of Pennsylvania’s most progressive, dynamic, and forward-leaning County governments. County Executive Sara Innamorato, who took office in January 2024 as the first woman elected to lead Allegheny County, has set an ambitious, equity-centered agenda that creates a strong tailwind for DHS’s mission. County Executive Sara Innamorato campaigned on, and has governed by, the principle that government is at its best when connected to the struggles of everyday people. Allegheny County operates with an elected County Executive (Sara Innamorato), an appointed County Manager (John Fournier), and a 15-member elected County Council. DHS works in partnership with 130 self-governing municipalities across the county. 

ABOUT ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Working for Allegheny County is work that matters. Allegheny County is widely recognized as a diverse and inclusive community reflected in its people and the All in Allegheny initiatives of the Innamorato Administration. Allegheny County (pop. 1.23 million) is the second most populous county in Pennsylvania and home to Pittsburgh, the state’s second-largest city. Pittsburgh was named a top 2026 global destination by National Geographic. With a median household income of $80,000, 40% more primary care doctors per capita than state and national averages, and a strong base of world-class universities and health systems, the region offers exceptional quality of life, outstanding schools, and deep civic infrastructure. Pittsburgh offers a rare combination: a city small enough to get every key stakeholder in the room, yet large enough to drive policy change with national visibility — backed by progressive elected leadership willing to take risks. Allegheny County’s diversity is a lived reality throughout its neighborhoods, workplaces, and governance. Through inclusive engagement and its commitment to collaborative governance, the county understands the disparities that continue to exist and works towards building a community where every resident feels represented, valued, and empowered to thrive. 

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is nationally recognized for making data-driven decisions and relentlessly testing innovative strategies to deliver quality outcomes for people. The department’s ethos is to listen well, ask questions, get good information — and then make decisions that truly help people. DHS espouses the values of equity, kindness, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. Our values come to life through concrete programs and services: economic security initiatives, homelessness reduction models, and safety net advocacy that helps people avoid crisis in the first place. We engage directly with the communities we serve — gathering feedback at the point of service and ensuring care reflects real needs. Our work also includes best-in-class treatment for adults living with mental illness, effective interventions for intimate partner violence, and specialized treatment and support for youth with acute needs. DHS has 9 offices, 1,300+ staff, and partnerships with over 300 contracted community-based agencies. The Director serves as DHS’s primary external voice with state and federal partners, elected officials, the nonprofit sector, media, and the public. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Allegheny County is seeking a visionary, equity-driven, and results-oriented Director for its Department of Human Services (DHS) who excels at three things: building relationships, leveraging data, and leading people. 

The Director will build genuine trust with community partners, providers, and elected officials by earning buy-in on difficult decisions and diplomatically navigating high-stakes situations. This role will set priorities for investing over $1.24 billion in social services for 200,000+ residents annually and ensure that a well-run, accountable system of care continues to deliver measurable results for the most vulnerable members of our community. The Director of Human Services reports directly to the Allegheny County Manager. This position carries significant organizational responsibility: 10 direct reports, 1,300+ indirect reports, and ultimate accountability for one of the most respected human services departments in the nation. 

The ideal candidate is a leader who thinks big and moves with urgency because they care about our community and are advocates for marginalized populations. They are analytical, deeply knowledgeable about human services, and open to learning. They are decisive decision makers who inspire confidence and lead diverse teams with confidence. They have successfully led organizations to notable achievements, proven to be clear-headed during crises, and built teams people want to be part of. This person embraces the responsibility of leading a large, complex system — holding themselves and the organization accountable while delivering outstanding communication with the public, staff, nonprofits, and government partners.

SERVICES PORTFOLIO

Relevant fields include child welfare, behavioral health, aging services, housing & homelessness, developmental supports, community justice, family services, analytics & technology, equity & engagement. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Strategic Leadership & Direction 

• Set DHS’s strategic direction and align $1.24B+ in funding decisions with community priorities and measurable outcomes. 
• Apply an equity lens to all decision-making; be able to actively identify and dismantle policies and practices that create unnecessary barriers or perpetuate disparities. 
• Lead through a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes the dignity, safety, and well-being of clients, staff, and community partners. 
• Ensure DHS is prepared to respond to crises, emerging community needs, and changes in the state and federal policy landscape. 
• Model a consistent, knowledge-driven approach to identifying and solving problems across the department. 

Community Engagement & Partnership 

• Engage community partners, residents with lived experience, and advocacy organizations, so DHS makes informed decisions, prevents issues, and builds on community strengths. 
• Cultivate deep, sustained partnerships with city, county, state, and national officials, school districts, health systems, housing providers, and community-based organizations to create a functional system of care. 
• Advance transparency through high standards for information-sharing, frequent public presentations, listening sessions, media engagement, and community feedback mechanisms. 
• Represent DHS and build relationships with governmental entities at the state and federal levels; advocate for stable, multi-year funding. 
• Builds buy-in from a wide range of stakeholders including providers, community activists, advocacy organizations, and residents on difficult decisions; skilled at bringing competing interests to shared understanding and moving initiatives forward. 
• Navigates complex, high-tension stakeholder dynamics with composure and clarity, knowing when to slow down to listen and when to lead decisively. 

Data, Analytics & Innovation 

• Leverage Allegheny County’s integrated Data Warehouse, which is built for operational use, to inform policy development, resource allocation, and real-time decision-making by the workforce. 
• Identify and operationalize technology and system integration opportunities across DHS to reduce duplication, improve client experience, and increase efficiency. 
• Use community feedback, outcome data, and continuous improvement practices to evaluate program effectiveness and adapt to changing community needs. 
• Ensure leaders remain current on national affairs, policies, and legislation impacting human services; mitigate negative impacts and seize emerging opportunities. 
• Commits to sustaining and advancing DHS's world-class data infrastructure as a core operational tool, champions investment in data platforms and performance monitoring at the highest level of organizational priority. 
• Integrates data rigorously into decision-making while recognizing its limits and uses quantitative evidence as a strong baseline and incorporates community voice, lived experience, and human judgment before reaching final decisions.

Workforce Leadership & Organizational Health 

• Supervise the directors of DHS’s nine offices: Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Community Services, Developmental Supports, Community Justice and Safety, Administration, Analytics/Technology/Planning, and Equity & Engagement. 
• Build and sustain an inclusive, high-performing leadership team; promote equitable workforce practices across all identities and abilities. 
• Maintain regular visibility with staff and community partners through site visits, town halls, and listening sessions — meeting people where they are. 
• Support collaboration across DHS offices and with provider partners, so clients access the full range of support they need with minimal friction. 

Budget & Fiscal Stewardship 

• Oversee the annual DHS budget, ensuring justifications for funding align with demonstrated community needs and legislative requirements. 
• Forecast and advocate for department needs with local, state, and federal officials; maximize draw-down of all available funding. 
• Oversee contracting of services with 300+ community-based organizations; maintain accountability for compliance, quality, and outcomes.

Communications & Public Presence 

• Serves as DHS's primary public spokesperson; drives key stakeholder engagement; maintains composure and credibility under critical or sustained media scrutiny, including high-profile child welfare, behavioral health, and housing matters. 
• Advances transparency proactively, not just responsively, through regular press engagement, public data releases, and community listening sessions that build long-term institutional trust. 
• Represents Allegheny County DHS on national and international stages, including speaking engagements, peer networks, and policy forums, enhancing the department's reputation as a leader in human services and space for innovative ideas.