Executive Assistant to the Chief of Health, Human Services and Homeless Prevention

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Office of the Chief of Health, Human Services & Homelessness Prevention sits at the center of Detroit’s work to improve the physical, mental, economic and social well-being of residents. The Chief oversees the Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services, the Detroit Health Department, and the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion, coordinating citywide strategies that address health outcomes, social determinants of health, housing insecurity, and homelessness prevention. This office operates at the intersection of policy, service delivery, and community partnership, advancing a holistic, equity-centered approach to health and human services that prioritizes dignity, access, and measurable impact across Detroit’s neighborhoods.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Health, Human Services & Homelessness Prevention provides high-level administrative and operational support and coordination to one of the City’s most complex and impactful executive portfolios. This role ensures that the Chief’s time, attention, and decision-making capacity are focused on advancing health equity, strengthening service systems, and improving outcomes for Detroiters. The Executive Administrative Assistant manages executive scheduling, briefing preparation, interdepartmental coordination, deliverables tracking, and follow-through across multiple departments and partner offices. The position requires exceptional organization, judgment, discretion, and the ability to anticipate needs in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where resident well-being is at the center of every decision.

This role will facilitate the administration’s priorities, including:

• Ensure the Chief’s calendar, priorities, and engagements are aligned with Detroit’s health, human services, and homelessness-prevention goals

• Support cross-departmental coordination among Human, Homeless and Family Services, the Detroit Health Department, and the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion

• Strengthen internal systems that improve accountability, follow-through, and transparency across health and human-services initiatives

• Ensure the Chief is fully briefed and prepared for decisions that impact health equity, service delivery, and vulnerable populations

• Advance efficient, resident-centered government operations that support better health and social outcomes for Detroiters

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Manage the Chief’s daily calendar, prioritizing engagements that advance health equity, homelessness prevention, and human-services outcomes

• Coordinate, prepare, and quality-check briefing materials, meeting packets, presentations, and follow-up documentation

• Ensure departments and partner offices provide timely, complete materials for executive review, including policy memos, operational updates, and data summaries

• Track commitments, deadlines, and action items across meetings and initiatives to ensure accountability and follow-through

• Serve as a central coordination point between the Chief’s office, City departments, community partners, and the Mayor’s Office

• Support logistics for meetings, site visits, community engagements, and interagency working sessions

• Manage incoming requests, correspondence, and inquiries, ensuring appropriate prioritization and response

• Maintain accurate records, filing systems, and confidential executive documents

• Prepare presentations, internal communications, and executive materials for senior-level meetings

• Anticipate operational needs and identify opportunities to improve workflow, coordination, and efficiency

• Uphold high standards of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all interactions

• Represent the Chief’s Office in communications with senior staff and partners as appropriate

Qualifications: 

• Experience providing administrative or executive support to senior leaders, elected officials, or high-level public-sector executives

• Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of clear, accurate briefing materials

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism

• Knowledge of municipal operations, public-sector workflows, or complex service-delivery systems

• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments, agencies, and community-based partners

• Proficiency with scheduling systems, office technology, presentation tools, and document-management platforms

• Experience working in Detroit or with Detroit-based organizations strongly preferred

• Commitment to equity, dignity, and resident-centered public service

Rate of Pay:  $61,472 - $92,028 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits:
Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: 
The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Chief of Mobility Innovation

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Office of Mobility Innovation, housed within the Mayor’s Office, exists to reimagine how Detroiters move through their city. Mobility in Detroit is not just about transportation—it is about access to opportunity, safety, health, and economic participation. Under Mayor-Elect Sheffield, the Office advances a people-first approach to mobility that prioritizes equity, affordability, environmental sustainability, and neighborhood connectivity. The Office works across departments and with community partners to pilot new ideas, modernize systems, and ensure transportation solutions reflect the lived experiences of Detroit residents across every neighborhood.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Business Innovation and Emerging Industries, the Chief of Mobility Innovation serves as Detroit’s senior mobility strategist and innovation leader, charged with transforming how residents access jobs, education, healthcare, and community life. The Chief leads the development and execution of Detroit’s mobility vision by aligning public transit, emerging mobility technologies, infrastructure planning, and community-driven solutions into one coordinated strategy. This role requires a bold, forward-thinking leader who understands mobility as a civil-rights issue and an economic catalyst, and who can translate innovation into tangible improvements in daily life for Detroiters.

The Chief of Mobility Innovation will operate at the intersection of transportation policy, technology, climate resilience, and neighborhood equity—partnering with city departments, regional agencies, community organizations, labor, and private innovators. This position offers a rare opportunity to shape a national model for inclusive, future-ready urban mobility while delivering real, measurable benefits for Detroit residents.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Advance a people-centered mobility strategy that prioritizes access, affordability, safety, and dignity for Detroit residents

• Reduce transportation barriers that limit access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services

• Expand innovative, neighborhood-based mobility solutions that serve Detroiters across varying densities and income levels

• Align mobility investments with climate resilience, environmental justice, and public-health outcomes

• Strengthen coordination between transit, land use, housing, workforce, and economic-development strategies

• Ensure Detroit residents are meaningfully engaged in shaping mobility pilots, programs, and investments

• Position Detroit as a national leader in equitable mobility innovation and deployment

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Lead the development and implementation of Detroit’s citywide mobility strategy aligned with Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s priorities

• Direct the planning, piloting, and scaling of innovative mobility programs, including shared mobility, on-demand services, and emerging technologies

• Coordinate mobility planning across city departments, including DDOT, Planning and Development, Parking, Public Works, and Economic Development

• Partner with community organizations to co-design mobility solutions that reflect neighborhood needs and lived experience

• Work with regional transit agencies and state partners to improve service coordination and funding alignment

• Advance data-driven decision-making by collecting, analyzing, and mapping mobility usage and travel patterns

• Identify and secure local, state, federal, and philanthropic funding to support mobility initiatives

• Negotiate and manage partnerships with private-sector innovators, startups, and research institutions

• Modernize procurement and policy frameworks to support innovation while maintaining accountability and equity

• Integrate mobility strategies with workforce access, housing stability, and economic-development initiatives

• Represent the Mayor’s Office in public forums, stakeholder meetings, and national mobility discussions

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation, public policy, business administration, engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

• Significant leadership experience in mobility innovation, transportation planning, urban systems, or related fields

• Demonstrated success launching or scaling innovative programs in complex public or public-private environments

• Strong understanding of equity-centered mobility, environmental justice, and community-driven planning

• Experience working across government agencies, community organizations, and private partners

• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and complex projects

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-engagement skills

• Familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods, transportation challenges, and regional mobility landscape strongly preferred

• Commitment to progressive public service, resident voice, and measurable impact

Rate of Pay:  $98,600- $129,400 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits:
Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: 
The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply

APPLY HERE

Senior Citizen Advocate

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  
The Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is the City of Detroit’s frontline connection to residents, delivering responsive service, helping residents navigate city systems, and ensuring neighborhood needs inform city decision-making. Within this mission, supporting Detroit’s seniors has become a key priority. Many older residents live in large senior buildings, rely on fixed incomes, and face challenges related to safety, building conditions, city services, health access, and social isolation. The office works across all neighborhoods and collaborates with community partners, service providers, and city departments to ensure seniors receive the support, respect, and care they deserve. The Senior Citizen Advocate plays a central role in advancing this mission.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Citizen Advocate is responsible for supporting older Detroiters living in senior buildings, multifamily housing, and neighborhood communities throughout the city. The Advocate serves as the primary liaison between seniors, building managers, service providers, and city departments. The role focuses on identifying and resolving issues related to building conditions, safety, health and wellness access, transportation, social-service navigation, and quality-of-life concerns. The Advocate builds trusted relationships with residents, conducts regular site visits, organizes resource coordination, and ensures seniors have a clear pathway to city services, housing support, emergency assistance, and community-based programs. This position requires strong advocacy skills, deep knowledge of Detroit’s senior populations, and a passion for protecting the dignity and independence of older adults.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Strengthening the city’s support systems for older adults by serving as their direct point of contact and ensuring their concerns are elevated and addressed.

• Ensuring senior buildings meet safety, maintenance, accessibility, and quality-of-life standards by coordinating across departments including Housing, Public Health, Police, Fire, Public Works, and the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department.

• Helping seniors to form Tenant Councils within Senior Buildings.

• Connecting seniors to essential services including home-repair support, housing navigation, food access, health and wellness programs, mobility services, digital access, and emergency response.

• Collaborating with community organizations, health providers, tenant associations, and senior-service nonprofits to build comprehensive support networks.

• Helping seniors navigate city services and advocating for systemic improvements that improve safety, access, and well-being across Detroit’s senior housing.

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Respond to and track concerns from seniors living in both senior-designated buildings and general neighborhoods.

• Coordinate with building managers, property owners, resident councils, and service providers to address quality-of-life issues.

• Work across City departments — including Housing, Health, Transportation, Public Safety, and Neighborhoods — to ensure timely follow-up on senior-related service needs.

• Conduct site visits to senior buildings to meet with residents, document issues, and monitor ongoing concerns.

• Organize and facilitate listening sessions, resource fairs, and outreach events specifically tailored to seniors.

• Assist seniors in navigating city programs such as home repair, utility support, eviction prevention, benefits access, and transportation services.

• Maintain detailed records, case notes, logs, and follow-up systems to ensure accountability and transparency in addressing senior concerns.

• Represent the Mayor’s Office at senior community events, advisory meetings, and engagements with nonprofit and philanthropic partners.

• Support emergency response needs for vulnerable seniors during weather events, outages, and building crises.

• Help strengthen partnerships with agencies that support aging populations, including AAAs, nonprofit senior providers, and health systems.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, human services, gerontology, or a related field (or relevant equivalent experience).

• At least three years of experience working with seniors, supportive housing, property management, case management, or community-based human services.

• Strong understanding of senior housing challenges, aging-in-place issues, supportive services, and Detroit’s senior-building landscape.

• Ability to work effectively with seniors, caregivers, service providers, landlords, and City departments.

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills with demonstrated compassion and cultural humility.

• Experience coordinating multi-agency interventions or navigating complex service systems.Knowledge of Detroit’s neighborhoods, senior communities, and public-service landscape.

• Commitment to equity, resident-centered advocacy, and improving conditions for vulnerable seniors.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for outreach and resident meetings.

Rate of Pay:  $80,000 - $100,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Returning Citizens Liaison - Office of the Mayor

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Office of the Mayor works to build a Detroit where every resident has equitable access to opportunity, stability, and pathways to prosperity. As part of the Sheffield Administration’s commitment to justice, dignity, and second chances, the City partners with community organizations, advocacy groups, employers, courts, and state agencies to support residents returning from incarceration. Detroit has one of the largest populations of returning citizens in Michigan, and their success is central to the city’s neighborhood strength, economic mobility, public safety, and long-term stability. The Returning Citizens Liaison helps ensure that the City’s systems, services, and policies are accessible, coordinated, and centered on the needs and aspirations of returning residents.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief of Neighborhood Affairs, the Returning Citizens Liaison serves as Detroit’s primary connector between returning citizens, reentry partners, community organizations, employers, and City departments. The role is responsible for elevating the voices and experiences of returning residents, supporting them in navigating city and community services, and helping coordinate cross-departmental efforts that remove barriers to housing, employment, identification, transportation, and economic opportunity. The Liaison also helps identify gaps in current systems, advises senior City leadership on reentry-related policy, and works to build a city where all returning residents feel welcomed, supported, and able to thrive. This role requires empathy, strong relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community healing.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Expanding coordinated reentry pathways to housing, employment, training, and credential restoration

• Strengthening partnerships with Detroit at Work, community organizations, employers, legal-aid providers, and reentry networks

• Reducing structural barriers to housing, transportation, and identification for returning residents

• Ensuring returning citizens are integrated into economic development, workforce, and neighborhood strategies

• Improving access to mental health services, substance-use supports, and trauma-informed care

• Supporting small-business development and entrepreneurship opportunities for returning residents

• Identifying gaps in City systems and recommending policy or procedural reforms

• Promoting dignity, inclusion, and resident-centered service delivery for all returning citizens

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Serve as the City’s primary liaison for returning citizens and reentry partners

• Provide direct support to returning residents navigating services, programs, and City departments

• Coordinate with Detroit at Work to connect residents to training, apprenticeships, and good-paying jobs

• Work with housing partners to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing options

• Support residents seeking identification documents, court navigation, expungement resources, and compliance support

• Identify systemic barriers and recommend policy, program, or process reforms to senior leadership

• Maintain relationships with reentry organizations, faith-based partners, legal-aid providers, and neighborhood groups

• Develop communication channels to keep returning citizens informed of opportunities and supports

• Organize listening sessions, community meetings, and advisory tables to elevate returning-citizen voices

• Track program outcomes, collect data, and develop reports that inform City strategy

• Collaborate with economic development teams to advance entrepreneurship pathways for returning residents

• Represent the Mayor’s Office at public meetings, community events, and statewide reentry conversations

Qualifications: 

• Experience working in reentry services, community advocacy, social work, workforce development, or related fields

• Strong knowledge of the needs, barriers, and experiences of returning citizens

• Ability to build trusting relationships with residents, service providers, employers, and government partners

• Deep familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods, institutions, community organizations, and justice-involved populations

• Commitment to equity, second-chance opportunities, and trauma-informed engagement

• Experience navigating government or social-service systems

• Strong communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism

• Experience working in Detroit or with Detroit-based populations strongly preferred

Rate of Pay:  $60,000 – $80,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Foundation Liaison to the Mayor

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Mayor’s Office serves as the central coordinating body for the City of Detroit’s strategic priorities, partnerships, and resident-centered agenda. Detroit’s philanthropic community plays an essential role in advancing neighborhood revitalization, public health, economic mobility, workforce pathways, housing stability, cultural vibrancy, and quality-of-life initiatives. The Foundation Liaison works within the Mayor’s Office to build and sustain long-term partnerships with Detroit’s robust philanthropic ecosystem—aligning shared goals, mobilizing investment, and ensuring that philanthropic resources meaningfully advance the needs of Detroit residents. The Office leads with transparency, community voice, and a belief that cross-sector collaboration is essential to the city’s future.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting directly to senior leadership in the Mayor’s Office, the Foundation Liaison serves as Detroit’s primary relationship manager to the philanthropic sector. The role is responsible for building aligned, long-term, trust-based partnerships that strengthen the Administration’s ability to deliver for residents. The Liaison develops strategy, coordinates regularly with foundation staff and executives, and ensures the Mayor’s priorities are clearly communicated and supported through philanthropic collaboration. This role requires an experienced partnership-builder with exceptional judgment, strong political and civic awareness, and deep understanding of Detroit’s community landscape. The Foundation Liaison will maintain a strong grasp of the Mayor’s full portfolio of initiatives and will work to braid philanthropic interest areas into new and existing programs that deliver measurable, equitable outcomes for Detroiters.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Establish and steward long-term, strategic relationships with Detroit’s philanthropic partners

• Align philanthropic investment with the Mayor’s priorities in housing, neighborhoods, health, youth services, workforce, economic mobility, public safety, and cultural vitality

• Proactively identify opportunities where philanthropic collaboration can accelerate resident-centered outcomes

• Ensure transparent communication between the Mayor’s Office and foundations regarding initiatives, milestones, and needs

• Develop coordinated philanthropic strategies that strengthen cross-sector partnerships and minimize duplication of efforts

• Create mechanisms for ongoing philanthropic engagement, including briefings, roundtables, and co-designed initiatives

• Support the Administration’s commitment to equity, community voice, and neighborhood-centered development through targeted philanthropic partnerships

• Track regional and national philanthropic trends to position Detroit for competitive funding and innovative partnerships

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Mayor’s Office and philanthropic institutions in Detroit, the region, and national networks

• Develop and execute a comprehensive philanthropic engagement strategy aligned to the Mayor’s vision

• Cultivate and manage strong relationships with foundation executives, program officers, and sector leaders

• Coordinate communication between the Mayor’s Office, city departments, and philanthropic partners to ensure alignment and progress

• Maintain deep knowledge of Administration priorities in housing, economic development, public health, human services, small business, workforce, youth, arts, and neighborhood revitalization

• Create regular briefings, updates, and engagement opportunities for philanthropic partners

• Support philanthropic investment in city initiatives by preparing proposals, strategy documents, and partnership frameworks

• Identify opportunities for collaborative, multi-foundation investment strategies

• Ensure all philanthropic partnerships uphold transparency, ethical standards, and community-centered values

• Track, evaluate, and report on impact of philanthropic partnerships in alignment with city goals

• Collaborate with policy, data, and departmental leaders to identify high-impact opportunities for philanthropic alignment

• Support the Mayor’s Office in preparing for meetings, speeches, and events involving philanthropic stakeholders

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public administration, public policy, urban studies, business, or related field preferred

• Seven or more years of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, government relations, fundraising, or strategic partnerships

• Demonstrated success cultivating long-term institutional partnerships and managing complex stakeholder environments

• Strong understanding of Detroit’s philanthropic landscape, community organizations, and economic and social issues

• Ability to translate policy and program goals into compelling partnership strategies

• Exceptional communication, writing, and presentation skills

• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate sensitive political and civic contexts

• Experience working with or within government, foundations, or large nonprofits preferred

• Commitment to equity, transparency, and resident-centered decision making

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced executive environment

Rate of Pay:  $80,000– $120,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Director - Office of Senior Citizen Affairs

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  
The Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is the City of Detroit’s frontline connection to residents, delivering responsive service, helping residents navigate city systems, and ensuring neighborhood needs inform city decision-making. Within this mission, supporting Detroit’s seniors has become a key priority. Many older residents live in large senior buildings, rely on fixed incomes, and face challenges related to safety, building conditions, city services, health access, and social isolation. The office works across all neighborhoods and collaborates with community partners, service providers, and city departments to ensure seniors receive the support, respect, and care they deserve. 

Under the Sheffield Administration, the office emphasizes dignity, equity, and inclusion for seniors, with a commitment to improving living conditions, reducing displacement risk, strengthening community ties, and safeguarding the welfare of older Detroiters.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Director of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs reports directly to the Mayor’s Office (or Chief of Staff) and serves as the citywide senior-services coordinator and advocate. The Director sets strategy, policies, and operational oversight for senior housing, senior-building support, outreach to older residents, coordination of services (housing repair, health, social support), and partnerships with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations serving seniors.

The role demands a leader with deep commitment to seniors’ rights and dignity, strong management and coordination abilities, experience in housing or social services administration, and a track record of collaborating with public agencies and community stakeholders. The Director ensures that senior buildings receive attention, that seniors’ concerns are addressed, that supportive services are delivered equitably, and that aging Detroiters are represented in policy, housing, and neighborhood planning decisions.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Ensure that Detroit’s seniors have safe, stable, and affordable housing, including maintenance, repair, and access to services.

• Advance senior-building rehabilitation and home-repair programs to preserve quality housing stock for older residents.

• Coordinate supportive services — health, social work, mobility, utilities assistance — to address the holistic needs of seniors across neighborhoods.

• Advocate for senior-centered policies at the city level, ensuring seniors’ voices are heard in housing, public works, land bank, and community development processes.

• Partner with nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and community stakeholders to deliver senior services and build supportive networks.

• Promote equity, inclusion, and dignity for all senior Detroiters, with attention to affordability, accessibility, healthcare, and social connection.

• Support inter-departmental collaboration to align senior affairs with housing, public health, planning, community development, and public safety.

• Monitor and respond to emerging challenges affecting seniors — housing instability, displacement, health crises, aging in place — with responsive strategies and programs.

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive citywide senior-services strategy that integrates housing, social services, health, community engagement, and aging support.

• Oversee programs for senior housing repair, building maintenance support, rehabilitation, and code enforcement coordination for senior-occupied buildings.

• Manage outreach efforts to connect seniors with services, benefits, and resources including healthcare, mobility assistance, utilities relief, and social programs.

• Coordinate with the city’s housing, land-bank, public-works, public-health, and community-development departments to ensure senior needs are embedded in city planning and service delivery.

• Build and maintain partnerships with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, community groups, and senior-serving agencies to expand the scope and reach of senior services.

• Advocate on behalf of seniors in city policies, development plans, land-use decisions, housing strategies, and funding priorities.

• Monitor senior-building conditions, respond to complaints or issues, coordinate inspections, and facilitate repairs or interventions for senior-occupied housing.

• Ensure transparent communication with seniors, senior organizations, and community partners regarding available services, programs, and city support.

• Develop data-tracking, reporting, and performance metrics to assess impact of senior programs and guide continuous improvement.

• Prepare policy recommendations, strategic plans, funding proposals, and budget requests to support senior affairs initiatives.

• Represent the City at community meetings, senior-center events, interagency collaborations, and public forums to promote senior welfare and inclusion.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social work, urban planning, public policy, gerontology, or a related field.

• At least five years of experience in housing, community development, social services administration, or programs focused on seniors, elderly populations, or vulnerable residents.

• Proven ability to lead and manage programs involving housing rehabilitation, social service coordination, or community outreach.

• Strong knowledge of housing issues, senior housing challenges, aging-in-place policies, accessibility standards, and social service systems.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and empathy skills, with ability to engage seniors, community organizations, service providers, and city departments.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating across multiple agencies, developing partnerships, managing complex operations, and advocating for vulnerable populations.

• Commitment to equity, dignity, and inclusion for seniors and vulnerable residents.

• Familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods, demographics, senior communities, and urban housing landscape preferred.

• Ability to work flexible hours to address senior needs, community events, inspections, or emergency interventions.

Rate of Pay:  $80,000 - $120,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Director of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Office of Immigrant Affairs & Economic Inclusion is housed within the Mayor’s Office, under the Chief of Health, Human Services and Homelessness Prevention, and serves as Detroit’s central hub for advancing equity, access, and opportunity for immigrant and refugee residents. The Office works across neighborhoods, senior buildings, youth programs, community-violence prevention, faith-based institutions, district managers, and community coalitions to ensure immigrant communities are supported, protected, and meaningfully included in Detroit’s civic and economic life. The Office provides outreach, service navigation, language access, policy guidance, and partnership coordination—connecting immigrants to housing, jobs, small-business opportunities, legal resources, health supports, and culturally responsive city services. Rooted in the Mayor-Elect’s focus on dignity, community voice, and equitable access to opportunity, the Office helps ensure Detroit remains a welcoming, inclusive city where all residents can thrive and contribute.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief of Health, Human Services and Homelessness Prevention the Director of Immigrant Affairs & Economic Inclusion leads the City’s strategy for immigrant integration, economic mobility, and inclusive neighborhood services. This role directs programs that support immigrant and refugee residents, strengthens service networks with nonprofits and community partners, integrates immigrant needs into neighborhood planning and senior/youth support structures, and ensures that Detroit’s diverse communities have equitable access to city resources. The Director partners closely with health and human services programs and entities, district managers, Opportunity & Empowerment Hub Coordinators, the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs, the Office of Youth Affairs, faith-based liaisons, and advisory groups representing ethnic and cultural communities. The role requires a collaborative, community-centered leader with deep knowledge of immigrant experiences, strong policy and program-management skills, and an ability to elevate resident voices to shape policy, development decisions, and citywide initiatives.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Expanding immigrant access to housing, small-business opportunities, workforce pipelines, and city services

• Strengthening language-access standards and culturally responsive communication across city departments

• Building coordinated service networks with nonprofits, legal-aid providers, faith-based organizations, and ethnic-community leaders

• Ensuring immigrant communities are integrated into neighborhood development, anti-displacement efforts, and community-safety strategies

• Supporting immigrant-owned small businesses through mentorship, technical assistance, and pathways to city contracting

• Developing policies that promote economic inclusion, reduce barriers, and strengthen protections for immigrant workers and families

• Collaborating with District Managers, Opportunity & Empowerment Hub Coordinators, and senior/youth offices to embed immigrant supports throughout neighborhood-based service systems

• Creating data-driven strategies to identify service gaps, track demographic trends, and guide equitable resource allocation

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Develop and implement a citywide inclusion strategy that aligns immigrant affairs with Detroit’s neighborhood, housing, economic, and community-support priorities

• Strengthen partnerships with immigrant service providers, legal-aid groups, ethnic and cultural organizations, and faith communities

• Coordinate directly with District Managers, Special Population Liaisons, Opportunity & Empowerment Hub Coordinators, and the Offices of Youth and Senior Citizen Affairs

• Oversee language-access planning, translation coordination, and culturally responsive communication supports

• Support immigrant-owned small-business development by connecting entrepreneurs to technical assistance, permitting support, and economic-development tools

• Advise the Chief of Neighborhood Affairs and Mayor on immigration-related policy issues, demographic trends, and inclusion opportunities

• Coordinate referrals and support services for housing stability, health access, social services, and emergency response for immigrant residents

• Manage grant strategies, compliance, budget oversight, and partnerships needed to expand immigrant-support programs

• Develop community-engagement plans, listening sessions, and outreach strategies to elevate immigrant voices in policymaking

• Ensure accurate data collection and impact reporting to measure progress, identify gaps, and recommend improvements

• Represent the Mayor’s Office at community meetings, regional councils, public forums, and stakeholder convenings

• Supervise program staff, oversee performance systems, and maintain strong accountability for service delivery

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, community development, social work, public administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred

• At least five years of senior-level experience working with immigrant, refugee, or special-population communities

• Demonstrated success managing inclusion programs, legal-aid coordination, or social-service delivery systems

• Strong cultural-competency skills and familiarity with Detroit’s immigrant communities, languages, and service landscape

• Understanding of economic-inclusion strategies, workforce pathways, small-business supports, and neighborhood-based services

• Experience working across government agencies, nonprofits, legal-aid organizations, and community coalitions

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public-engagement skills

• Experience in grant management, reporting, compliance, and program administration

• Ability to lead staff, manage operations, and respond to urgent needs with sensitivity and discretion

• Commitment to equity, transparency, community-voice governance, and inclusive development

Rate of Pay:  $100,000 – $180,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Director - Detroit Health Department

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION 

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Detroit Health Department protects and promotes the health, safety, and well‑being of all Detroiters through prevention, public-health programming, community partnerships, and neighborhood‑based services. As Detroit enters a new era of integrated health and human services under the Sheffield Administration, the Health Department plays a central role in advancing health equity, strengthening maternal and infant health, addressing chronic disease, expanding behavioral‑health supports, and ensuring residents have access to the resources they need to thrive. Public health in Detroit extends far beyond clinical care—it includes safe housing, stable income, clean air and water, mental‑health supports, environmental resilience, homelessness response, and family‑support systems. The department works closely with the new Department of Human, Homeless & Family Services, Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs, Detroit Public Schools Community District, DWIHN, hospitals, community organizations, and residents to build a healthier, more resilient Detroit.

The next Director of the Detroit Health Department will have a unique opportunity to accelerate this momentum — expanding community-based prevention programs, strengthening maternal and infant health supports, addressing environmental-justice concerns, and advancing behavioral-health resources for youth and families. Working closely with state and federal agencies, healthcare systems, academic institutions, and community partners — and guided by Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s commitment to building a city “where every family feels supported” — the Chief will help close long-standing health gaps and build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods across Detroit.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of the Detroit Health Department serves as Detroit’s senior public‑health executive, responsible for shaping the City’s health agenda, directing major public‑health programs, overseeing population‑level health strategies, and leading cross‑agency efforts to address the social, economic, environmental, and behavioral drivers of health. The Director leads Detroit’s public‑health response across maternal and infant health, chronic disease, environmental health, food security, behavioral health, preventative care, and emergency preparedness. The role requires an equity‑centered, community‑rooted leader with deep experience integrating mental and behavioral health with housing, homelessness, education, senior services, and human‑services systems to improve outcomes for residents across all neighborhoods. This role is responsible for neighborhood-based public health programming such as localized testing, and addressing Detroit’s disparate mortality rates.

This role will drive the administration’s housing and neighborhood priorities, including:

• Implement public‑health components of the 7‑Point Homelessness Action Plan, including behavioral‑health supports, crisis response, medical outreach, and dignified shelter access.

• Embed health access into Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs, ensuring walk‑in immunizations, case management, maternal‑health supports, and behavioral‑health resources.

• Lead expansion of mental‑health and trauma‑informed services, including crisis‑response partnerships with DWIHN, EMS, Fire, and community providers.

• Strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes through expanded prenatal and postpartum care, doula access, and newborn‑family supports.

• Partner with Senior Services to improve aging‑in‑place supports, chronic‑disease management, and household‑stability interventions.

• Strengthen environmental‑health response for flooding, heat events, poor air quality, industrial emissions, and climate‑related health risks.

• Support poverty‑reduction efforts with universal screening for food security, utilities, transportation, behavioral‑health needs, and chronic disease.

• Coordinate with DPSCD and youth‑serving agencies to address health drivers of chronic absenteeism, including asthma, mental health, and housing instability.

• Ensure culturally competent, language‑accessible care for immigrant communities and residents with limited English proficiency.

• Integrate public health into returning‑citizen supports, including screenings, behavioral health, and trauma‑recovery services.

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Lead Detroit’s population‑level public‑health strategy with a focus on prevention, health equity, and community‑centered service delivery.

• Oversee public‑health programs including communicable‑disease prevention, maternal and infant health, chronic disease, environmental health, behavioral health, and clinical services.

• Direct public‑health components of Detroit’s homelessness‑response system, including outreach, health supports, crisis stabilization, and integrated case management.

• Integrate public health with the new Department of Human, Homeless & Family Services and Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs.

• Expand community‑based mental‑health, trauma‑informed, and crisis‑response services through partnerships with DWIHN, Fire, EMS, and hospitals.

• Strengthen maternal and infant health supports, including prenatal and postpartum care, doula networks, lactation services, and newborn‑health programs.

• Coordinate environmental‑health monitoring and response to flooding, air‑quality issues, industrial impacts, and other environmental hazards.

• Advance youth and school‑based health programs in collaboration with DPSCD, including efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and address behavioral‑health needs.

• Oversee clinical operations and community‑based care delivery, including immunizations, STI testing, harm‑reduction services, and primary‑care partnerships.

• Promote culturally responsive, language‑accessible health services for immigrant communities and residents with limited English proficiency.

• Collaborate with Senior Services to support aging‑in‑place programs, chronic‑disease management, and household‑stability interventions.

• Lead emergency‑preparedness planning and response for public‑health crises, disease outbreaks, and environmental emergencies.

• Strengthen data systems, analytics, and reporting to monitor population‑level health trends and guide policy decisions.

• Represent the City in public‑health collaborations, regional partnerships, and intergovernmental forums.

Qualifications: 

• Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), or a closely related graduate degree, Doctor of Medicine (MD) preferred but not required.

• Extensive executive-level experience in public-health leadership within a city, county, state agency, or major health system.

• Demonstrated commitment to health equity and social justice, including experience addressing racial, economic, and neighborhood-based health disparities.

• Proven ability to apply an equity lens to program design, budgeting, resource allocation, and policy development.

• Experience partnering with community-based organizations, neighborhood leaders, advocacy groups, and faith communities to co-create health strategies and strengthen public trust.

• Strong grounding in epidemiology and data-driven decision-making, including the ability to use data to set equity targets, measure outcomes, and guide strategy.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with hospitals, clinical partners, academic institutions, state and federal agencies, and cross-sector partners (housing, education, workforce, transportation, public safety).

• Experience in emergency preparedness, environmental health, maternal and infant health, population health, or communicable disease prevention.

• Skilled in navigating politically sensitive issues with sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and cultural humility.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex health issues to residents, policymakers, and community stakeholders.

• Proven success leading teams, managing change, and strengthening organizational culture in fast-paced public-health or governmental environments.

• Deep commitment to Detroit’s neighborhoods, resident-centered service, and improving health outcomes across all communities.

Rate of Pay:  $166,494 – $200,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE

Deputy Director of Human, Homeless and Family Services Department

ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION

Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.

As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.

ABOUT THE OFFICE  

The Department of Human, Homeless & Family Services (HHFS) is Detroit’s centralized system for delivering coordinated, dignity-centered support to residents across every neighborhood. The department brings together key household-stability programs—including Homeless Services, Housing Services and Home Repair, Family and Senior Services, Returning Citizens supports, Immigrant and Disability Affairs, Benefits Navigation, and neighborhood-based Resource Hubs—to form an integrated ecosystem that helps Detroiters access the services they need without navigating fragmented systems.

Grounded in equity and community partnership, HHFS works across City departments, County and State agencies, healthcare systems, philanthropic partners, and neighborhood organizations to reduce barriers, strengthen upstream prevention, and address the social determinants of health that shape residents’ daily lives. The department also manages the development of Detroit’s Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs, where cross-agency services are delivered directly in communities to meet residents where they are.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Director of Human, Homeless & Family Services, the Deputy Director serves as the department’s chief operational leader—responsible for ensuring that Detroit’s full network of household-support programs functions cohesively, efficiently, and in alignment with the Mayor’s vision for dignity-centered, resident-focused government.

The Deputy Director oversees day-to-day operations across multiple units reflected in the organizational chart—Homeless Services, Family Services, Senior Services, Home-Repair and Stabilization Supports, Immigration and Disability Affairs, Returning Citizens Services, outreach teams, navigation services, and the Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs. The role ensures that each program area operates with clear standards, timely service delivery, and strong coordination across City, County, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners.

This position plays a central role in translating strategy into action: supporting the launch of new service hubs, strengthening coordinated-entry systems, improving shelter and outreach operations, integrating data and case-management systems, and aligning all household-stability programs under a unified operational framework. The Deputy Director is a hands-on, high-trust leader who builds strong internal systems, supports frontline teams, and ensures that resident voices and experiences shape continuous improvement across the department.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

• Supporting implementation of Detroit’s unified Health, Human Services & Homelessness Prevention governance model

• Overseeing coordinated operations for Homeless Services, including outreach, diversion, shelter, and supportive-housing pathways

• Strengthening upstream prevention programs addressing housing, income, transportation, health, and digital access

• Launching and operationalizing Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs with integrated walk-in services and crisis-response capacity

• Improving service delivery for seniors, families, immigrants, returning citizens, and residents with disabilities

• Supporting home-repair and home-stabilization programs that help longtime Detroiters remain in their homes

• Implementing the City Information Exchange (CIE) and related data-integration tools to enhance coordination and outcomes tracking

• Strengthening partnerships with CBOs, healthcare systems, County agencies, philanthropic partners, and faith institutions

• Improving customer service standards, transparency, and accountability across all HHFS programsThis description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.

Core responsibilities include: 

• Manage daily operations across HHFS program areas—including Homeless Services, Family Services, Senior Services, Immigrant and Disability Affairs, Returning Citizens Services, Home-Repair Supports, Benefits Navigation, and neighborhood-based Resource Hubs

• Supervise program managers and operational leads to ensure consistent performance, compliance, and resident-centered service delivery

• Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, workflows, timelines, training plans, and performance standards

• Strengthen integrated service pathways connecting housing stabilization, healthcare and behavioral-health supports, home repair, youth and senior services, employment resources, and financial-assistance programs

• Oversee cross-agency coordination with the Chief of Health, Human Services & Homelessness Prevention, the COO, philanthropic funders, and County and nonprofit partners

• Implement performance-measurement systems tracking resident outcomes, response times, diversion rates, housing placements, and customer-service indicators

• Support launch, staffing, and operations of Neighborhood Opportunity & Empowerment Hubs and mobile-service teams

• Coordinate crisis-response and multi-agency action for residents with complex needs spanning health, housing, transportation, safety, and income stabilization

• Manage internal HR functions, staffing structures, procurement, contracting, and department-wide operations

• Represent the department in intergovernmental forums, community meetings, provider convenings, and cross-agency working groups

• Ensure all HHFS programs reflect trauma-informed care, dignity, equity, accessibility, and transparency in service delivery

Qualifications: 

• Significant experience managing human-services, homelessness-response, public-health, or community-based systems in an urban environment

• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams, oversee complex operations, and implement cross-agency service-coordination strategies

• Strong understanding of social determinants of health, trauma-informed practice, crisis-response models, family-support systems, and housing-stabilization pathways

• Experience managing diverse funding streams and multi-program budgets with federal, state, local, and philanthropic compliance requirements

• Track record of operational improvement, service-quality enhancement, and implementation of performance-measurement frameworks

• Proven partnership-building skills with CBOs, philanthropic institutions, healthcare systems, faith-based organizations, and government partners

• Extensive knowledge of Detroit’s neighborhoods, community organizations, and human-services ecosystem strongly preferred

• Experience launching or scaling community-centered initiatives with measurable outcomes

• Excellent communication, project-management, facilitation, and data-driven decision-making skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field preferred

• Detroit-based candidates and individuals with deep local relationships strongly encouraged to apply

Rate of Pay:  $100,000– $180,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.

APPLY HERE