Chief Program Officer

Company Description

The East River Family Strengthening Collaborative (ERFSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering stable and self-sufficient lives for youth, families, and seniors. ERFSC collaborates with community residents and public and private organizations to reduce child welfare system entries, prevent homelessness, and promote financial independence. The organization is focused on decreasing youth violence and supporting the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities and older adults. ERFSC’s family-centered approach strengthens the community and addresses diverse needs through accessible and impactful services.

GENERAL SUMMARY OR OVERALL PURPOSE:

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) plays a pivotal role within the organization, primarily responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of its programs and initiatives. This includes developing and executing program strategies in alignment with the organization's mission and goals, ensuring efficient resource allocation, monitoring program performance, and assessing outcomes. The CPO collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and partners to drive innovation, evaluate program effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions. The CPO reports directly to the CEO.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess program effectiveness, regularly evaluating and adjusting programs to optimize outcomes.

• Develop and implement program policy and procedures to ensure client services are efficient and consistent across all programming and remain up to date on best practices.

• Ensures quality program development by advising the senior leadership team, as needed, to ensure that measurable outcomes across all programs are developed and tracked.

• Works closely with the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Director and staff from various grants to ensure integrity of data collected and that contract deliverables are met.

• Foster a highly skilled workforce and a culture of collaboration and accountability.

• Provides direct supervision to Deputy Directors, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships and CQI Director.

• Develops and implements a plan for skills development at every level of the program staff, with emphasis on frontline Managers and Directors to promote continuous learning and a supportive working environment for front line staff.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration to advance program objectives.

• Foster strong relationships with the funders and stakeholders in child welfare, senior services, family/youth services and identified future growth areas.

• In partnership with the CEO, begin the process of expanding services to new service lines and outside of the District of Columbia.

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of new programming, ensuring they meet identified needs and are scalable and sustainable.

• Identifies community needs and assets – ascertain needs and develops effective partnerships that build the capacity of the neighborhood-based/community service delivery and family support system to include overseeing periodic community needs assessments that are inclusive of the diverse population of Ward 7 and the District of Columbia.

• Ensures programs are developed based on needs of the community and residents working with the Deputy for Senior Services, the Deputy for Family and Youth Services and the Director for Community Engagement and Partnerships to develop programs and services based on needs assessments and requirements of funders

• Program and initiative building - Oversees the expansion of youth, senior and family services and Collaborative strategies for addressing community wealth building, mental health needs and health and economic disparities in the District of Columbia, utilizing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) as a foundation.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic program plans that drive organizational goals and impact.

• Proven ability to understand data to use in program evaluations

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of policies affecting families, youth and seniors to include low resource communities.

• Strong leadership and team-building skills with experience in managing and motivating diverse teams.

• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, fiscal management, and resource allocation within a nonprofit or similar organization is a plus.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

A. Work Experience

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in program management, including at least 5 years in a senior management role.

B. Education

Master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field desired.

C. Certifications/Licensure

DC Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) required. Valid Driver’s license is required.

D. Computer Skills

Must be proficient in basic MS Office programs including MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Explorer. Must have knowledge and experience using internet job boards to locate opportunities. Navigating Microsoft Teams, One Drive and SharePoint apps are beneficial.  

E. Communication/Interpersonal skills

Good written and verbal communication skills are required; Courteous and responsive to the public; Able to gather assessment information through conversation, listening and observation skills; Able to engage, build and maintain relationships with clients through strong interpersonal skills; Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others; Able to maintain professionalism at all times.

F. Work Traits

Organized, dependable, innovative, flexible, analytical and self-directed; able to work independently and within a team effectively; Demonstrated cultural competence and responsiveness and a sincere interest in the mission and vision of the organization.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. Working Environment

Indoor office environment 50% of the time; in the Ward 7 community and other agencies and organizations 50% of the time.

B. Travel

Local travel; personal vehicle required.

C. Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit at a workstation and use a personal computer and telephone. The employee regularly meets with clients and/or partners within the community. The employee must regularly lift and/or move general office supplies, files or boxes weighing up to 10 pounds.