Director of Social Safety Net Solutions

Looking to innovate, grow, and make a positive impact on the lives of others? Join a nonprofit service and advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the lives of older adults, especially those who are struggling.

We Are NCOA and we believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. The National Council on Aging, a national voice for every American’s right to age well, has an exciting opportunity for a Director, Social Safety Net Systems and Solutions, in its Arlington, VA/Crystal City office.

The Director of Social Safety Net Systems and Solutions oversees CBA’s work portfolio comprised of programs, products, services, and initiatives that connect older adults and marginalized persons to social benefits and supports. The goal of these programs is to close the health and wealth inequity gap for vulnerable populations—e.g., women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people in rural areas, economically insecure adults—making them more likely to age with dignity and socioeconomic stability. The Social Safety Net Systems & Solutions portfolio includes NCOA’s collaboration with federal and state agencies, corporate partners and funders, and national, regional, and local nonprofits and CBOs. Key focus areas include federal and state benefits programs that reduce household costs or increase household income, Medicaid, Food & Nutrition Security, Family Caregivers and Supports, and Social Determinants of Health. The Director is responsible for portfolio management and operational oversight, financial oversight, business and partnership development within the portfolio, staff development, and setting and executing strategy that builds NCOA’s capabilities, offerings, and brand in the market.

Initial projects will include:

• Managing two major grants and actively participating in a recently initiated grant.
• Collaborating with the Senior Director to reassess the baseline for the Social Safety Net Systems and Solutions portfolio, including but not limited to performance on existing projects.
  1. Assessing the baseline against NCOA’s service targets for specific communities and populations.
  2. Assessing the baseline against evidence-based and promising practices for community and population impact.
• Participating in market research efforts and identifying service, product, and program gaps in the field.
  1. Analyzing this information to identify portfolio gaps and strategic growth opportunities for CBA.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Attain financial goals set for the portfolio and support financial goals for CBA broadly.
• Collaborate with the CBA Senior Director and NCOA’s Finance Department to achieve financial goals for the Social Safety Net Systems & Solutions portfolio while also actively engaging in and supporting CBA’s financial targets.
• Support development of FY (Fiscal Year) budgets and tracking of performance vs budget.
• Manage activities to meet or exceed quarterly top line, net revenue, gross margin objectives.
• Support activities to meet or exceed indirect spending and contribution margin objectives.
• Closely monitor and forecast financial performance and to proactively take steps to mitigate risks, right-size teams, or take other mitigation steps when necessary.
• Embrace fiduciary responsibilities and model behaviors that demonstrate the professional pursuit of NCOA’s long-term financial goals and health.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MPP, etc.)
• 8-10 years of relevant work experience in social benefits programs and management of programs for vulnerable and marginalized populations such as low-income populations, and older adults as well as work with moderate- and middle-income populations and BIPOC populations.
• 5+ years’ experience managing and leading federal and state contracts; corporate grants, sponsorships, and contracts; and collaborative efforts with external partners.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with state and local health and human services programs, program operations and understanding of agencies’ program improvement, administrative management and oversight, and regulations.
• Strong understanding about various state and local programs and policies across the country, including familiarity with national and state policies that affect social safety net systems and benefits (and the interplay between federal and state entities in administering programs) is required. Knowledge base and experience must include strong knowledge of Medicaid programs and, ideally, also includes familiarity with programs such as Medicare, SNAP, LIHEAP, LTSS, and other public benefits programs (see BenefitsCheckUp for more examples).
• Experience managing budgets coupled with financial acumen.
• Experience leading teams to execute all aspects of transactions including planning, analysis, proposal development, negotiation, execution, and integration.
• Proven ability to work effectively across internal and external organizations, including cross-functional, matrixed, and inter-organizational teams.
• Experience defining, applying, and monitoring KPIs or OKRs.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing markets, partners, and competitors to develop 3–5-year growth strategies and plans. Integrate strategy, operations, financial management, and revenue growth tactics to prioritize and execute on highest-value opportunities.
• Significant business development and project management experience, including 3+ years’ experience leading teams to respond to RFP/RFI/RFQ for federal, state, and philanthropic opportunities.
• Understanding of and demonstrable involvement in grant writing and reporting.
• Experience in network and strategic partner development and grassroots activation around a specific cause.
• Ability to handle projects with multiple work streams, with proven success over a wide variety of business opportunities. Demonstrable ability to successfully solicit and obtain new sources of funding from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other sources. Drive to identify and execute nontraditional opportunities while moving quickly to garner “buy in” from key stakeholders. Experience generating substantial new program ideas with funding potential.
• Proven ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including exceptional presentation, public speaking, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Executive presence to clearly communicate compelling messages to senior leaders and business partners.
• Proficiency in MS Office and SharePoint, Salesforce, project management platforms, web-based platforms, and other tools.

NCOA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NCOA believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.