CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Center on Halsted•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key member of Center on Halsted’s executive leadership team and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and integration across all programmatic functions of the organization. The CPO leads the expansion and creation of new programs and services, as needed, to advance organizational strategy, respond to community needs, and leverage funding opportunities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CPO leads the vision, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs that advance the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. The CPO oversees a diverse portfolio of programs and services delivered across multiple locations, including Center on Halsted, Center on Addison, and Center on Cottage Grove, and ensures alignment with organizational goals, funder requirements, community needs, and equity-centered best practices. This role requires an active, visible leadership presence across program sites to support staff, oversee programs, and maintain strong connections to community-facing services. The position balances strategic leadership, operational excellence, and people development while strengthening cross-departmental collaboration, program impact, and external partnerships.

Requirements

Minimum of10 years of senior leadership experience within a social services, healthcare, or community-based organization.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-department programs and managing senior-level staff.
Strong experience with program planning, evaluation, compliance, and grant-funded initiatives.
Demonstrated grants management experience, including compliance, reporting, and funder stewardship.
Strong financial and budget acumen, including oversight of programmatic revenue and expenses.
Proven ability to manage budgets, steward resources, and partner effectively with finance teams.
Deep understanding of community-centered and equity-driven programming.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of LGBTQ+ communities, issues, and service systems strongly preferred.
Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, social work, psychology, business, or related discipline) preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership: Lead the vision, strategy, and continuous improvement of all programmatic departments in alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
Lead the expansion and creation of new programs and services, as necessary, in alignment with organizational strategy, community needs, and available resources
Program Oversight & Impact: Ensure high-quality program design, implementation, evaluation, and compliance, using data and community input to measure impact and guide decision-making.
People & Talent Development: Supervise, mentor, and develop program directors and senior leaders; build leadership capacity, accountability, and succession within the Programs division.
Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with Finance, Operations, Development, Communications, and People & Culture to align programs with organizational priorities, budgets, and systems.
External Representation & Partnerships: Represent Center on Halsted with funders, government agencies, and community partners; support fund development and steward key external relationships.
Equity-Centered Leadership: Integrate equity, inclusion, and anti-oppression principles into all aspects of program strategy, leadership, and organizational decision-making.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO in advancing Center on Halsted’s mission, long-term vision, and organizational strategy.
Provide executive leadership and oversight for all programmatic departments, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, equity commitments, and community impact.
Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs across behavioral health, HIV prevention and care, youth and senior services, and other community-based initiatives.
Ensure programmatic excellence, consistency, and accountability across departments.
Establish clear programmatic goals, key performance indicators, outcomes, and performance metrics aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
Establish annual program and staff goals and objectives; track progress, outcomes, and results using data-informed metrics aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
Oversee systems for program monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement to assess impact and inform decision-making.
Use data, feedback, and community input to guide program evolution, innovation, and resource allocation.
Ensure compliance with all funder, regulatory, and reporting requirements.
Directly supervise and mentor program directors and senior program leaders, supporting their growth as strategic, equity-centered leaders.
Build a strong leadership bench by fostering professional development, coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
Promote a high-performing, collaborative culture rooted in COH’s core values, equity commitments, and shared accountability.
Support effective supervision, performance management, and staff engagement across program teams.
Foster strong collaboration and coordination between Programs and other departments, including Development, Finance, Operations, Communications, and People & Culture.
Partner with Finance leadership to manage programmatic revenue and expenses in alignment with the organization’s approved budget and long-term financial sustainability goals.
Partner with Finance leadership on program budgets, fiscal oversight, and long-term financial sustainability.
Contribute to organization-wide planning, decision-making, and problem-solving as a member of the senior leadership team.
Represent Center on Halsted with funders, government agencies, community partners, and other external stakeholders, and serve as a key liaison to the Board of Directors on programmatic strategy, performance, and impact.
Build and steward strategic, collaborative partnerships with external partners, funders, government agencies, and community organizations to expand reach and deepen impact.
Serve as a liaison to key public funders, including local and state agencies.
Support fund development efforts through program design input, proposal development, reporting, and funder stewardship.
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand reach, deepen impact, and align with community needs.
Support grant writing, proposal development, and grant reporting in collaboration with the Development team.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational goals.