CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Chief Program Officer

Background

HOPE has a 40-year track record of empowering New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive training, jobs, advancement and lifelong career support. HOPE is an outcomes-focused organization. Our student-centered approach, employer-driven training, wide range of support services, and commitment to ongoing engagement yield strong results, notably a job placement rate of 75% and retention rates of 92% at 90 days and 81% at one year. We are focused on expanding our impact and positioning ourselves for growth while continuing to enhance the quality of our services and build upon our successful outcomes.

This is an exciting time at HOPE, as we formally celebrate our 40th anniversary year and are planning a roll-out of our refreshed 5-year strategic plan with a vision of being a Home Of Prosperity and Empowerment, elevating our commitment to the people who rely on us for HOPE and to the communities that have been most neglected. We plan to increase the focus on training New Yorkers for in-demand green jobs that offer the best opportunities for living wage jobs and career pathways. Our green infrastructure programs will work together intentionally to reduce ambient temperature, support decarbonization, and improve air quality.

The Position

The HOPE Program is seeking a data-driven, entrepreneurial proven leader to serve as the Chief Program Officer (CPO). The CPO will be an integral member of the leadership team and report to the Executive Director. The person will manage a team responsible for our participant outreach, and program delivery for 500+ students and hundreds of graduates annually (including classroom-based training covering professional skills, digital and financial literacy, work wellness and mental health, industry certifications, and sector-based hands-on training), employment placements, and retention and advancement services in our Bronx and Brooklyn sites. This person will ensure our five current programs and any future programs launched are high-quality and cost-effective and that program graduates are prepared for and advance in the labor market in a manner that reflects HOPE's values, best practices and high standards of care and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, consistent supervision to 5-6 direct reports responsible for Recruitment and Admission, Instruction, Business Development, Internships and Employment, Wellness and Retention, and Green Infrastructure programs.
• Lead the programmatic strategic planning initiatives, which include programmatic growth, building partnerships with key employers in in-demand sectors, leading external consortia of providers, and other initiatives that further HOPE's highly effective approach to empowering New Yorkers to build thriving careers.
• Support the development department in fundraising efforts including responses to RFPs, explaining programs to potential donors and funders, conducting tours through programs, presenting program outcomes, and responding to detailed questions regarding programs and ensuring that programmatic services are delivered and programmatic goals are met per all foundations' funding sources.
• Provide regular programmatic reports for inclusion in board packages and presentations at board meetings.
• Manage HOPE's relationships with Federal, State and City agencies and ensure programmatic services are delivered & programmatic goals are met per all government grants.
• Support the finance department by working with them to create program budgets that meet program goals, review monthly financial reports to monitor program expenses and make adjustments when necessary.
• Advance the organization's commitment to excellence by supporting continuous quality improvement and creating opportunities for staff members, managers, students and graduates to actively participate in the improvement process.
• Ensure staff development & training Create and foster a culture of professional compassion that reflects HOPE's core values.
• Work to evaluate programming and promote improvement through thorough measurement, planning, training, and implementation activities.
• Take proactive steps to implement and adapt policies to ensure HOPE adheres to standards of excellence and remains current with the workforce development field.
• Represent HOPE on relevant external committees, workgroups, and task forces/coalitions and in fundraising opportunities as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a Masters Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or in relevant Human Service field such as social work, psychology or counseling, or, in the absence of such degree, comparable experience and expertise.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive management experience in relevant fields.
• Thorough knowledge of services, funders and service communities that address issues faced by HOPE students and graduates, including criminal justice involvement, addiction, unemployment, mental illness, trauma, and homelessness.
• Knowledge and interest in environmental sustainability.
• Creative, innovative, growth mindset with a demonstrated history of successfully managing change.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies, business plans and budgets to meet challenging goals.
• Deep demonstrated commitment to working with a comparable client population, and to nurturing and developing staff and managers.
• Detail-oriented, well-organized, solutions-oriented, data-driven, outcomes-oriented, professional, compassionate.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work effectively and sensitively with diverse staff and clients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong computer skills, demonstrated capacity to use data effectively in planning and management, and strong professional role modeling.
• Proven ability to analyze financial and program data to assess effectiveness, with strong experience in generating and interpreting reports. Experience with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce, is highly preferred. Proficiency with Zoom, Google applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and other data management tools is a plus.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify key issues, and develop innovative solutions. Capable of making data-informed decisions and adapting strategies to ensure program success in dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated history of competence in working with government and regulatory agencies.

Salary/Benefits

The salary range is $120,000 - $140,000 and is dependent upon experience. HOPE provides a full package of benefits including healthcare and dental insurance, retirement plan, competitive vacation (plus half-day Fridays during summer which is equal to 7.5 additional vacation days), and 12 paid holidays.

Interested Candidates

Respond to this post, or email cover letter, indicating what position you are applying for and where you saw the listing, and resume to Resumes unaccompanied by a cover letter will not be reviewed. No telephone calls, please.

The HOPE Program is an equal opportunity employer.