DHS PROGRAM DIRECTOR 4 - 75066

Executive Service

This is a hybrid position

Who we are and what we do:

DHS MISSION: Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans

DHS VISION: To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency.

DHS VALUES: High Performance Collaboration Continuous Improvement

Shared Vision Customer-Centered Solutions

Job Overview:

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) seeks a strategic, mission- driven leader to serve as State SNAP Director, providing statewide leadership for Tennessees Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping SNAP policy, ensuring federal compliance, overseeing contracts and procurement, and driving continuous improvement for one of Tennessees largest and most impactful human services programs.

The SNAP Director reports to the Director of Operations and leads a multidisciplinary state office team supporting program policy, employment and training, nutrition education, outreach, and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). This position offers the opportunity to shape public assistance policy, influence national SNAP practice, and improve outcomes for families across all 95 Tennessee counties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for statewide SNAP policy development and administration, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Serve as TDHSs primary policy lead in coordination with USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
• Oversee SNAP Employment & Training, Nutrition Education, and Outreach initiatives, including program design, fiscal monitoring, and performance accountability.
• Provide oversight of the EBT program, including major procurements (RFP development and execution), vendor management, and contract performance.
• Lead the development and implementation of SNAP waivers and policy flexibilities.
• Partner with field operations, agency leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure consistent policy interpretation and effective statewide implementation.
• Advance continuous quality improvement through data-informed decision making and performance management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of full-time professional work in one of the following: social/human services, education, and/or social services grant coordination.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Senior-level experience in human services, public assistance, or federally funded programs.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulations and high-visibility policy initiatives.
• Experience with large-scale contracts or procurements, preferably related to benefits delivery systems.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and people leadership skills. A commitment to public service, equity, and customer-centered program design.
• The ability to lead statewide initiatives in a dynamic, performance-driven environment.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.