Chief Program Officer

MISSION: Ellis partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education and out-of-school programs in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood.

Ellis Early Learning (formerly known as Ellis Memorial) is a vibrant, Boston-based nonprofit with a rich history, founded in 1885. Ellis provides high-quality early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Ellis is among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving children in Boston. Through a partnership with Boston Public Schools, it operates four high-performing community-based K-1 classrooms. Ellis operates out of two historic buildings in the South End and a new site in Jamaica Plain. Ellis currently serves over 300 children annually. Learn more about us at www.ellisearlylearning.org.

Position Overview

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a senior executive leader responsible for the overall quality, implementation, and continuous improvement of all early learning programs, including infant, toddler, and preschool services. The CPO provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a multi-site program serving children and families, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and family engagement.

This role supervises the administrative leadership team, Center Directors, and the Teaching & Learning team, supporting approximately 80 teachers across 22 classrooms in three sites. The CPO plays a critical role in advancing organizational effectiveness, driving innovation, and leading change management efforts to elevate program quality and outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a visionary, equity-driven leader with deep experience in early childhood education, strong knowledge of regulatory and accreditation systems, and a passion for serving diverse and low-income communities. This leader brings a positive, solutions-oriented mindset and fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and shared accountability across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a clear vision for high-quality early childhood programming aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts across all programs, ensuring strong child outcomes and family engagement.
• Drive innovation and organizational growth by identifying opportunities to enhance program design, delivery, and impact.
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and decision-making.
• Champion a culture of continuous learning and growth, encouraging teams to embrace challenges, reflect on practice, and strive for ongoing improvement.

Supervision & Team Leadership

• Supervise and coach Center Directors, ensuring strong site leadership and consistent program quality across locations.
• Oversee the Teaching & Learning team, including curriculum, coaching, and professional development functions.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning among program staff.
• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment where staff feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow.
• Align teams around shared goals and outcomes in service of children and families, ensuring clarity of purpose and collective ownership.
• Support leadership development and succession planning for program staff.

Program Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations, including Massachusetts EEC licensing requirements.
• Lead and maintain NAEYC accreditation efforts across programs.
• Establish systems for monitoring program quality, including classroom observations, data analysis, and staff evaluation.
• Use data to inform decision-making and drive measurable improvements in teaching and learning.

Change Management & Organizational Growth

• Lead change management initiatives to strengthen systems, practices, and culture across programs.
• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to scale and refine program operations as the organization grows.
• Model adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset in navigating change and supporting teams through transitions.
• Champion equity-focused practices that support diverse children, families, and staff.
• Foster a forward-thinking, adaptive organization prepared for future opportunities and challenges.

Family & Community Engagement

• Ensure programs are culturally responsive and inclusive of diverse and low-income populations.
• Strengthen family partnerships and engagement strategies.
• Represent the organization with external stakeholders, including funders, community partners, and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education Leadership, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in early childhood education, including prior experience as a Center Director.
• Demonstrated experience supervising leaders (e.g., vice presidents, directors, instructional coaches).
• Deep knowledge of Massachusetts EEC regulations and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Proven experience working with diverse and low-income populations.
• Strong track record of improving program quality and outcomes.

Preferred

• Experience leading multi-site early childhood programs.
• Experience managing large teams (50 staff).
• Familiarity with data systems and continuous quality improvement frameworks.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to set and communicate a compelling vision for program excellence.
• Change Management & Growth Mindset: Demonstrates optimism, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement; able to lead others through change with clarity and purpose.
• Team Alignment & Collaboration: Skilled at bringing diverse teams together around shared goals in service of children and families.
• Equity & Inclusion: Deep commitment to culturally responsive practices and serving diverse communities.
• People Leadership: Strong coaching, supervision, and team development skills.
• Operational Excellence: Ability to balance strategic thinking with strong execution.

Work Environment & Scope

• Oversees programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
• Supervises administrative leadership, Center Directors, and Teaching & Learning team.
• Supports approximately 80 teachers across 22 classrooms in three sites.
• Requires weekly travel between South End and Jamaica Plain.

Why Join Ellis

This is an exciting opportunity for a bold and thoughtful leader to help take a high-quality early learning organization to the next level. The Chief Program Officer will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of programs that have a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.

The purpose of this description is to provide the major responsibilities of the position. It is not to be considered a complete statement of all elements of the work that may be performed.

TO APPLY: Please email your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest to HR@EllisEarlyLearning.Org