Director, impact and innovation

Description

Position Supervisor: Chief Impact and Innovation Officer

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Arlington, VA / Hybrid

Position Timeline: Permanent

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We’re seeking an experienced Director, Impact and Innovation with expertise in technology modernization, data and analytics, human-centered design, strategic partnerships, and implementation, with a strong understanding of how these disciplines can be integrated to improve human services systems, operations, and service delivery. This is a senior leadership role for someone who can move fluently between strategy and implementation to help public human services agencies modernize and improve how they serve people and communities.

APHSA represents state and local health and human services agencies nationwide. Together with our members, we work to strengthen access to food, health care, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks of well-being.

We’re looking for a collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, is skilled at managing projects and coaching/supervising staff and who brings strategic insight and innovation to complex human services policy and practice challenges. You’ll engage directly with members, individuals with lived experience, thought leaders, and partners to help advance APHSA’s influence strategies and elevate the voices of human services agencies across the nation.

Position Summary:

The Director of Impact and Innovation leads a portfolio of initiatives focused on helping public human services agencies modernize and strengthen how they serve people and communities. This role brings together technology, data, human-centered design, artificial intelligence, partnerships, and practical implementation to move innovative ideas into action. The Director sets strategic direction, builds strong relationships with members and partners, helps grow the portfolio through developing funding opportunities, contributes to national conversations on innovation and systems transformation, and leads a high-performing team.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Yes

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a portfolio of impact and innovation initiatives that advance modernization in human services through technology, data, human-centered design, and cross-sector collaboration, using evidence and learning to strengthen implementation and inform scaling.
• Guide the strategic direction of innovation initiatives, member-facing communities, and field-building efforts that strengthen implementation and expand APHSA’s value to members and the broader human services field.
• Lead national conversations on innovation, digital service delivery, data modernization, artificial intelligence, and systems transformation through presentations, convenings, partnerships, and thought leadership.
• Grow the Impact and Innovation portfolio by identifying and cultivating funding opportunities, leading competitive proposals, and securing grants, contracts, and strategic investments.
• Oversee the implementation and performance of portfolio initiatives, grants, contracts, budgets, and work plans, ensuring responsible resource management, compliance, high-quality delivery, and measurable outcomes.
• Build connections across systems by leading collaborative efforts among APHSA teams, members, funders, partners, researchers, technology organizations, and other stakeholders to accelerate implementation and systems-level change.
• Lead and develop team members through effective supervision, coaching, performance management, clear expectations, and opportunities for professional growth and leadership, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative team environment aligned with APHSA’s values.
• Contribute to organizational leadership as a member of the management team, supporting cross-functional initiatives and enterprise-wide strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (field may vary based on functional area)
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience
• 5+ years of experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership in strategy development, program management, and operational execution
• Strong project management, budget management, and organizational skills
• Experience with data analysis, performance measurement, and evaluation
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant systems/tools
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a dynamic environment
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%

Core Competencies:

• Cross-functional leadership
• Strategic planning and execution
• Project and program management
• Budget and fiscal management
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Coaching and team development
• Change management
• Data informed decision-making
• Compliance and risk management
• Member focus and service orientation
• Collaboration and relationship management

At APHSA, we value and support the health, well-being, and future of our staff. Our benefit package is based on improving employee morale, which fosters a work environment where staff feel they can thrive and feel accomplished. APHSA offers health, dental, and vision insurance. We also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays are included with 11 paid holidays
• 20 vacation days
• 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident, STD/LTD)

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to work in an independent manner from a remote location. This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work. Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.