Description
Start Date: Spring 2024
Employment Type: This is a full-time exempt position (hybrid)
Location: New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, or Newark
Reports to: CEO
Organization Overview
The Knowledge House's mission is to empower and sustain a talent pipeline of technologists, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders, who will uplift their communities.
The Knowledge House (TKH) approach is to (1) close gaps in the education-to-employment pipeline in underserved communities in the Bronx NY, Newark NJ, Atlanta GA, and Los Angeles CA, neighborhoods by teaching young adults aged 16-35 skills to launch careers or ventures in technology, and (2) support links between local youth, tech innovation, and business development that bring positive community impact.
Headquartered in the South Bronx, the poorest congressional district, TKH has served more than 2,000 students since 2014. Current core programs include our Innovation Fellowship focused on software engineering, cybersecurity, and digital design for adult job trainees, and our Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellowship for high school students learning computational thinking and web design.
TKH team members value the opportunity to: apply their skills while giving back to low-income youth and other underrepresented communities; lead innovation in the emerging tech movement in the Bronx, Newark, Atlanta, and Los Angeles; and join a scaling nonprofit where every team member is expected to contribute to strategy, create solutions and helps shape improve organizational culture.
Role Overview
TKH is at an exciting time in its development: our team is transforming the organization from a successful startup to a more mature and scalable organization that can drive change across the country. To do this well, we seek a Chief Programs Officer (CPO) who will lead our dynamic Programs team toward greater impact, driving outcomes for our students to launch successful careers in the tech industry. Leveraging the lessons learned in our first decade and in partnership with the CEO, the new CPO will have the opportunity to set a bold outcomes-focused vision, build out the team for greater impact, codify and create processes and structure, refine program design, and help TKH scale our work to new cities.
Reporting to the CEO and as a senior leader at TKH, the CPO will lead the Programs Department, which comprises three portfolios (digital equity programs for the public, youth employment programs, and workforce development programs) and several teams across New York City, Newark, Atlanta, and Los Angeles: Recruitment, Student Success, Instruction, and Career Success. The CPO is responsible for developing a programmatic vision and strategy for the entire participant lifecycle from recruitment and enrollment through successful job placement. Additionally, the CPO will partner with the TKH leadership team, lead a team of 20 (and growing) full-time staff members, manage the department's budget of approximately $4M, and serve as a role model of TKH's core values internally and externally.
Successful candidates will be outcomes-oriented, entrepreneurial program leaders who understand how to move a team and a diverse range of stakeholders forward. The ideal candidate will bring: (1) excitement about the challenge and opportunity to lead TKH programs to the next stage; (2) an ability to create the structure for a growing organization to succeed; (3) experience leading a performance-based team through change; (4) a flexible mindset; and (5) a commitment to continuous improvement.
Responsibilities and Duties
Program Strategy and Design (50%)

• Develop a student outcomes-oriented programmatic vision and strategy to effectively scale core programs and pilot new programs nationwide. This includes a fee-for-service program strategy that supports scale and results in earned revenue.
• Partner with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to design the staffing models and systems that allow TKH programs to scale across the country.
• Oversee and inspire high-quality work across three program portfolios: digital equity for the public, youth employment, and workforce development. Ensure the success of TKH fellowships, digital literacy programs, and fee-for-service partnerships, such that each workstream exceeds outcomes:
  • Outreach & Recruitment: Enhance TKH admissions strategy to increase national enrollment, including digital literacy and career exploration workshops for the general public.
  • Student Success: Ensure hybrid program offerings lead to student persistence through program graduation.
  • Instruction: Ensure effective curricula design, expanding TKH course offerings based on tech labor market demand and feasibility.
  • Career Success: Enhance internship and bridge employment support systems and processes that lead to full-time job placement.
• Lead the planning and decision-making for the program department; set measurable annual and monthly program goals focused on student outcomes and continuous improvement; share progress during monthly step-back meetings and quarterly Board meetings.
• Partner with the Innovation team to vet, scope, and plan new programmatic opportunities and initiatives that provide learnings to inform continuous improvement of our core offerings while exploring innovative program options and partnerships.
• Help facilitate cross-functional teamwork among senior leadership, operations, and external affairs teams to regularly maintain all data reporting dashboards, marketing materials, and grant reports, and assist in completing reports.

Team Leadership (30%)

• Build and motivate a high-performing Programs team with an impact-focused mindset to ensure TKH participants receive jobs in the technology industry.
• Lead a team of ~20 program staff across the recruitment, teaching and learning, student success, and career success teams, including supervision of ~3 direct reports and various consultants.
• Set annual goals and metrics for the programs department in line with organizational goals; support the team in cascading those goals to clarify key priorities.
• Attract, recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and retain key members of the program team; conduct individual performance evaluations; provide ongoing coaching; and design professional development opportunities.

External Partner Engagement (20%)

• Partner with the CEO to present program impact, continuous improvement, and progress toward goals to the TKH Board.
• Identify, engage, and convene strategic partners, including but not limited to: CUNY, employers, learning communities, fee-for-service clients, and supportive service partners.
• Partner with the External Affairs team to develop key collateral that amplifies our programs and attracts resources. As necessary, contribute to completing grant reports.
• Represent TKH at national and local convenings and conferences to intentionally engage and cultivate new partnerships and supporters.
• Engage potential funders and fee-for-service partners to negotiate costs, shared resources, and mutual benefits.

Qualifications
Experience:

• 10 years of professional experience, including proven success in a program leadership role in an organization of comparable or greater size and scope to TKH. Leadership experience within an education-, workforce-, or equity-focused organization is preferred.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience managing and leading a high-performing diverse team in a multi-site structure to build a positive team culture, as well as supervising and coaching team members to exceed their goals and develop professionally.
• Experience developing systems to support the effective functioning of a larger team and drive projects forward efficiently.
• Experience planning programs, designing organizational structure, budgeting, and overseeing program site operations.
• Experience with program feedback and evaluation, including both formative feedback and summative evaluation geared toward funders.
• Expertise in at least two areas: education, youth development, workforce development, employment, or adult education. Prior work experience serving low-income participants in the workforce development and/or education field is a plus.

Skills & Approach to Work:

• Ability to independently produce high-quality work, delegate, and problem-solve.
• Ability to collaborate with teammates to drive results.
• A passion and love for our students and their genius. A tenacious desire to smash all barriers in the way of our students accessing rewarding, high-paying careers in technology.

• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines in a constantly changing and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and persuasive communication skills, including public speaking abilities.
• Ability to travel occasionally and participate in frequent evening and weekend activities for work-related purposes.
• Computer proficiency, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive (esp. Sheets, Docs, Classroom), social media, and Salesforce.

• Commitment to contributing to positive organizational culture and living core values.

Compensation

• $160,000-$205,000/year salary
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 2% 401k match
• A $100/month tech stipend
• Unlimited paid time off

How to Apply
Click on "apply" to submit your resume and cover letter (required). In your cover letter please include an answer to the following question:

• Resume
• A cover letter outlining:
  • Your management philosophy
  • Describe the role that you've had that is most similar to the CPO role. Why was that role similar to the CPO role at TKH and what did you accomplish?
  • Why are you interested in partnering with our CEO, senior leadership team, staff, and board to drive program growth
  • Salary requirements and start date

It is the policy of The Knowledge House, Inc. to promote and provide equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic predisposition, or carrier status.