Chief Program Officer

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

ABOUT A PLACE CALLED HOME

A Place Called Home (APCH), a highly respected, trauma-informed youth development organization serving South Central Los Angeles. Through comprehensive programs spanning education, higher education, career and vocational pathways, mental health, arts and creative expression, athletics, wellness, and leadership development, APCH supports young people and families to achieve social, emotional, and economic success.  As APCH enters a new phase of growth, the organization is strengthening its internal systems, accountability, and outcomes to scale impact responsibly and sustainably.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is APCH’s senior executive responsible for driving mission execution through disciplined program strategy, strong organizational structure, and measurable outcomes. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the CFAO, CDO, Senior Directors, and the Board of Directors, the CPO serves as the organization’s chief architect for program design, integration, performance, and growth. This role is central to APCH’s future. The CPO will lead the assessment, redesign, and strengthening of APCH’s programs, particularly Higher Education, Career and Vocational pathways, to ensure programs are integrated, outcome-driven, and positioned for scale.

The CPO leads a multi-disciplinary division that includes education, higher education success, career and workforce development, arts and creative expression, athletics, mental health services, youth leadership, and community engagement. The CPO is accountable for program strategy, program structure, budgets, evaluation, contract performance, staff development, and partnership growth.

The ideal candidate will have both strategic vision and operational discipline. The successful candidate brings deep subject-matter expertise, systems thinking, and a leadership maturity to guide complex teams through change, while embodying APCH’s HEART values: Honesty, Empathy, Agency, Respect, and Transparency.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Vision &Strategic Leadership

• Shape and advance a unified, long-term program vision that strengthens youth outcomes, equity, and organizational excellence.
• Lead multi-year program planning, innovation, and growth in close partnership with the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors.
• Oversee a $3M+ program portfolio, ensuring clarity, fiscal discipline, and accountability for outcomes and deliverables.
• Champion a data-driven culture by guiding strategic goals, performance dashboards, evaluation systems, and impact measurement.
• Provide thought leadership to Board committees and represent APCH as a senior ambassador in regional and national spaces.

Leadership of People, Culture & Organizational Development

• Lead, inspire, and develop a diverse team of Senior Directors, Directors, supervisors, educators, counselors, and program staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, coaching, learning, and continuous improvement rooted in APCH’s HEART values.
• Build leadership capacity through systems for staff training, clear competencies, succession planning, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure strong managerial practices through mentorship, performance development, and consistent feedback.

Program Innovation, Integration & Excellence

• Lead the unified design, integration, and delivery of all APCH programs, including education, counseling, college and career pathways, workforce development, arts, wellness, and leadership initiatives.
• Advance evidence-based practices, adaptive program models, and continuous quality improvement.
• Evaluate new program opportunities for feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and mission alignment.
• Ensure excellence in documentation, reporting, compliance, and performance with city, county, state, and philanthropic partners.

Cross-Agency Collaboration & Organizational Stewardship

• Strengthen collaboration between Programs, Operations, Development, Communications, and Finance to ensure alignment and efficiency.
• Contribute to agency-wide planning, crisis response, and major organizational initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal leaders on emerging youth needs, local trends, and innovation opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships & External Relations

• Cultivate high-impact partnerships with schools, colleges, workforce agencies, arts institutions, funders, civic leaders, and community organizations.
• Lead partnership strategies that expand pathways for youth success and increase APCH’s regional influence.
• Represent APCH in collaboratives, coalitions, and thought-leadership forums as a model for holistic youth development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in youth services, education, workforce development, community development, or related fields.
• 5+ years managing large teams and budgets of $3M+, ideally within complex nonprofit or multi-site environments.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing contract performance, compliance, and data-driven program evaluation.
  • Postsecondary access, persistence, and completion
  • Career readiness, workforce development, and job placement
  • Employer and industry partnerships
  • Education and workforce contract management
  • Scaling programs beyond pilot stage
•  Strong program strategy, systems-building, and operational leadership skills.
• Proven ability to design KPIs, build infrastructure, and lead organizations through change.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-departmental collaboration skills.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practices and youth development.
• Solution-oriented, emotionally intelligent, and committed to equity and inclusion.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this role is $170,000-$185,000. This full-time, benefits-eligible hybrid position offers a dynamic mix of remote and in-office work, plus local travel to meet with partners and occasional evening or weekend events. APCH offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, a retirement plan, and generous paid time off. In addition, employees have access to professional development opportunities and leadership coaching to support ongoing growth

 

A Place Called Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or different ability. Envision Consulting was retained by A Place Called Home to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Program Officer.

Envision Consulting was retained by A Place Called Home to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Program Officer.

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.