The Supervisor of Recruitment & Retention provides leadership, coordination, and oversight of foster home recruitment and community engagement efforts. This role ensures a robust, diverse, and sustainable pool of licensed foster homes to meet the placement needs of children served. The Supervisor leads recruitment strategy, oversees inquiry and outreach processes, supervises recruitment staff, strengthens community partnerships, and uses data to drive continuous improvement in recruitment and retention outcomes.

 Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Supervision

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Community Engagement/Recruitment & Retention staff, promoting accountability and mission-driven service.
• Set clear expectations, prioritize work, and support professional development to strengthen recruitment practice and results.
• Ensure consistent implementation of recruitment workflows and documentation standards across regions.

Recruitment Strategy & Community Engagement

• Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive recruitment and retention strategies aligned with placement needs and permanency goals.
• Lead targeted recruitment efforts focused on sibling groups, older youth, youth with behavioral or medical needs, and culturally responsive families.
• Coordinate and represent the organization at community outreach events, informational sessions, and recruitment forums, including evenings/weekends as needed.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with community organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and other stakeholders to expand referral networks and build trust.
• Collaborate with marketing/communications partners to align messaging, increase awareness, and support digital and event-based recruitment campaigns.

Inquiry Management & Recruitment

• Oversee inquiry management processes to ensure timely response, engagement, and conversion of prospective foster families.
• Partner with licensing staff to ensure a smooth handoff from inquiry through licensure and identify/resolve barriers within the recruitment pipeline.
• Promote consistent follow-up practices and customer-service standards that improve prospective family experience and retention.

Data, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Track, analyze, and report recruitment and retention metrics; use data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to quality improvement efforts by identifying trends, recommending corrective actions, and monitoring results.
• Ensure recruitment and engagement practices align with applicable policy, program expectations, and regulatory requirements.

Performance Metrics and Reporting

• Growth in licensed and active foster home capacity
• Recruitment pipeline conversion rates (inquiry to licensure)
• Timeliness and quality of inquiry response and follow-up
• Increase in diverse inquiries and placements aligned with child needs
• Staff performance outcomes aligned with recruitment/retention goals

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain external relationships with prospective foster families, community organizations, faith-based partners, schools, local coalitions, and other referral sources.
• Collaborate with internal partners including foster care leadership, licensing, case management, marketing/communications, quality/compliance, and finance/operations teams.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, Psychology, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred.

Experience

• Experience in child welfare, foster care, family services, recruitment, outreach, or community engagement required.
• Supervisory/team leadership experience preferred.

Skills & Knowledge

• Leadership, supervision, coaching, and staff development
• Strategic recruitment planning and execution
• Community engagement, public speaking, and partnership building
• Marketing and promotional acumen, including audience targeting and message alignment
• Data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and follow-through
• Knowledge of child welfare and foster care systems; trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice

Working Conditions

• Combination of office-based work and community/event-based outreach throughout Michigan.
• Frequent local and regional travel required; must maintain a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Flexible schedule including some evening and weekend hours to support recruitment events and community engagement.
• Ability to present information to groups and community partners.

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