The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is part of the Executive and Leadership Teams, which are Company’ two cross-departmental decision-making bodies for agency-wide policy making. The CPO collaborates to set a strategic vision for both the Housing Services Department specifically, as well as the organization more broadly; this includes centering racial equity in both our programs and in our internal operations.
The CPO works with Program Directors across the state, Housing Services staff at all levels, as well as representatives from our support teams (Finance, Data & Technology, Human Capital) to grow and implement three dozen supportive housing programs across California. She/he/they communicate regularly with government, philanthropic and managed-care funders, always modeling exceptional customer service and a solutions-oriented approach.
Company is known as a nimble, innovative provider of supportive housing and intermediary services. Our funders frequently come to us with their most pressing challenges. The CPO strives to balance staff and organizational capacity while increasing our impact in the community. With support of the Program Directors, she/he/they spearheads program design, negotiates contracts, and oversees budgets with the dual goals of implementing high-quality programs and ensuring financial sustainability. In addition to operationalizing an equity lens, the CPO is an advocate for Housing First principles—working with funders, partners, and staff to reduce barriers to housing and increase housing retention rates. In keeping with Company’ culture, the CPO role models a client-centered approach and embraces a housing justice vision (rather than a charity model).
As the executive-level leader for the largest department within Company, the CPO is responsible for supporting over 200 staff members who occupy a wide variety of roles. She/he/they inspires a culture of excellence throughout the team and constantly strives to improve the working experience within the organization. The CPO coaches direct reports through regular check-ins, sets expectations for similar staff support throughout the department, and collaborates with Human Capital to increase professional development opportunities. Aligned with the Company’ ethos, the CPO works to create internal pathways for career advancement. Again, all of this work integrates a racial equity framework as Company continues to evolve as a social justice organization.
The Chief Program Officer role is ideal for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Company seeks a leader who is equally committed to Housing First, mentorship and empowerment of our team, and racial equity. Ideal candidates exhibit strong active listening and collaboration skills as well as creative problem-solving. A CPO will embody Company’ values—while also challenging us to grow in new ways.
Responsibilities
- Participate as a thought-partner and implementer on Executive and Leadership Teams
- Anchored in a racial equity lens, lead the continued build out of the Housing Services Department, including setting a strategic vision, empowering staff, and improving the quality of programs and operations
- Provide high-level oversight over $250 million of program funding, including support in budgeting, negotiating with funders, and striving to ensure that Company achieves full-cost recovery
- Work creatively and collaboratively with Company’ support teams (Finance, Data & Technology, Human Capital), Operations Division Director as well as Program Directors to improve the overall program operation, contracting, budgeting, and maximization of contracted resources.
- Use a strengths-based approach to coach direct reports and establish benchmarks for similar staff development throughout the department
- Inspire a culture of excellence by establishing performance benchmarks, designing and implementing quality controls, and cultivating leadership through systematic professional development for staff.
- Regularly represent Company with high-level government stakeholders, funders, executive-level leadership with non-profits, and other important partners.
- Act as a key partner in charting the course of the organization at large and the services we offer
Mindsets of an Ideal Candidate
You’re a recognized leader. Your track record shows that you can manage a team effectively. You act with confidence and integrity with an eye towards solutions. You are energized as much by the success of your team as your own personal success.
You bring your “A” game to work. You inspire a culture of excellence and take pride in doing “whatever it takes” for our clients, staff and partners. You see opportunities for improvement wherever you look, and know how to get buy-in from others to make it real.
You see equity as “the” work. You understand that working on housing means working on racial equity. You know that the work happens at all levels—personal, programmatic, organizational, and system —and you’re committed to transformational change.
You’re a system thinker who puts people at the center. You know how to take proven solutions to scale without feeling bureaucratic.
You thrive in an entrepreneurial environment. You’re resourceful and at ease with ambiguity and rapid change. You possess a positive, can-do attitude, and are adept at identifying creative solutions that turn challenges into opportunities. You can handle many important responsibilities at once, and you’re rigorous about prioritization.
You embody a collaborative spirit. You’re able to work collaboratively with our partner case management agencies, funders, housing partners, and tenants to develop an appropriate resolution that maintains the spirit of the Company model. Partners know that you are empathetic and fair in your decisions.
Qualifications
Professional Experience
- At least 7 years working in a social justice, human services, non-profit management, healthcare, or public policy. Preference for candidates who have designed and/or operated Housing First programs.
- At least 4 years building and managing a team.
- At least 3 years managing complex program budgets that rely on government contracts.
- Demonstrated leadership as evidenced by increasing levels of responsibility and management over the course of the candidate’s career.
‘Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- Understanding of and commitment to racial equity, Housing First, and housing justice
- Exceptional leadership capacity as evidenced by an ability to manage several complex initiatives simultaneously, empower team members for shared success, and exhibit good judgment navigating both interpersonal and business decisions
- Strategic, global thinking with an orientation towards inclusive design and decision-making; able to not only develop good solutions, but perhaps more importantly, design and implement transparent processes by which a group makes and implements decisions
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage a large and ever-growing team, particularly across a big geography, using an equity lens
- Strong, proactive communication skills, including active listening, summary, and empathy; able not only to articulate your own thoughts clearly, but also hear and engage others with an open mind
- Strong interpersonal skills, including a practice of giving and receiving both positive and critical feedback for shared growth
- Ability to refine systems and processes with an eye towards the “big picture”
- Comfort with budgets, government contracts, and complex “braiding” of resources
- Proficiency with MS Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Experience with Salesforce and Intacct a plus. Comfort using data to improve systems and drive decision-making.