Director of Clinical Services – Foster Care (Nonprofit)

Director of Clinical Services – Foster Care Friends of Youth | Renton, WA Salary: $100,000–$130,000 annually Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt | Non-Union Reports To: Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Make a Lasting Impact. Lead with Purpose. Are you a compassionate and experienced clinical leader looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and families?

At Friends of Youth, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and empowered to build a brighter future. For more than 75 years, Friends of Youth has supported youth and families through housing, behavioral health, foster care, and community-based services. We are seeking a Director of Clinical Services – Foster Care to provide strategic leadership and clinical oversight of our therapeutic foster care programs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven professional who is passionate about strengthening services, developing teams, and creating positive outcomes for youth and families. As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to influence organizational strategy, strengthen clinical programs, and help shape the future of foster care services within our community.

What You'll Do

Clinical Leadership & Program Oversight Provide strategic and clinical leadership for therapeutic foster care services, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, and client-centered care. Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programming, treatment planning, and service delivery. Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, licensing requirements, contractual obligations, and accreditation standards.

Collaborate with clinical professionals, community partners, and referring agencies to support positive outcomes for youth and families. Program Development & Strategic Planning Lead initiatives to strengthen foster parent recruitment, training, licensing, and retention. Identify opportunities to enhance service delivery, improve operational effectiveness, and support program growth.

Develop and manage program budgets, operational goals, and strategic initiatives. Monitor program outcomes, quality improvement measures, and regulatory compliance. Promote collaboration across departments to ensure coordinated and effective services. Team Leadership & Development Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development to the Manager of Foster Care Services and program leadership.

Support recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and ongoing professional development. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team environment where employees feel supported and empowered. Partner with Human Resources and Learning & Development to strengthen employee performance, training, and leadership effectiveness.

Community & Organizational Leadership Serve as a member of the agency's Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organizational priorities and strategic planning. Build and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations, funders, state agencies, and other stakeholders. Represent Friends of Youth in regional and statewide professional networks and collaborative initiatives.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications Master's degree in healthcare administration, nursing, social work, or a related field. Minimum of three years of experience in a behavioral health or healthcare setting. Minimum of three years of supervisory and/or management experience. Experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft 365 Power Platform.

Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of clinical quality and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

Current Washington State licensure as a registered counselor, nurse, or social worker. Experience in foster care, child welfare, therapeutic services, or youth behavioral health programming. Experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams, managing program budgets, and working within nonprofit or community-based organizations.

Why Join Friends of Youth? At Friends of Youth, your leadership will directly support our mission of empowering youth and families to build healthier, more stable futures. We recognize that meaningful work should also come with meaningful support. Our benefits include: Competitive annual salary of $100,000–$130,000. 15 vacation days annually, plus paid sick leave.

11 paid holidays and 2 social justice leave days per year for eligible full-time employees. Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 24/7 access to telehealth services. Retirement plan with employer match. Employer-provided life insurance and long-term disability coverage. Transgender health benefits. Opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and organizational leadership.

Additional Requirements Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable criminal background screening and required tuberculosis screening. Employees must complete CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certifications within 30 days of employment. Driving-related requirements, including applicable licensing, safe driving record, and insurance standards, apply when operating a personal or agency vehicle for authorized agency business.

Join Us in Building Brighter Futures If you are passionate about clinical excellence, collaborative leadership, and making a lasting impact in the lives of youth and families, we encourage you to apply. Bring your leadership. Share your expertise. Help us build brighter futures. Friends of Youth is committed to equity and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment as an equal opportunity employer.

We welcome, honor, and celebrate our clients', colleagues', and communities' diverse identities and cultures. For more information, contact [email protected] .