Chief Program Officer

Position Overview

Seeking a full-time Chief Program Officer (CPO), reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CPO is a key executive leader responsible for implementing statewide program strategy as well as network leadership, organizational effectiveness, and quality assurance efforts that strengthen CA CASA’s network of 44 local CASA programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy

• Provides strategic counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors regarding emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting the statewide CASA network.
• Led and implements complex initiatives aligned with the mission, strategic plan, and funding priorities, and supports organizational effectiveness, change management, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Oversees Policy & Legislative Affairs activities and integrates them with statewide program priorities, legislative advocacy, public policy, research, and systems change efforts into a unified organizational legislative strategy.
• Represents CA CASA with state agencies, judicial leaders, philanthropic partners, statewide associations, and national organizations, and serve as an executive ambassador as assigned by the CEO.

• Statewide Network Leadership & Capacity-Building

• Serves as a primary liaison and trusted advisor to the 44 local CASA programs, and builds collaborative relationships with Executive Directors/CEOs, Board leaders, judges, and statewide stakeholders.
• Supports local programs through organizational/leadership transitions, growth opportunities, and operational challenges, including succession planning, governance development, and organizational sustainability.
• Cultivates statewide strategic partnerships that strengthen organizational capacity, expand collaborative initiatives, and advance CA CASA’s mission.
• Across the network, leads technical assistance, peer learning, leadership development, and statewide support efforts, and promote alignment, collaboration, and sharing of promising practices.
• Uplifts all voices and perspectives, and upholds priorities related to serving the identities and experiences of all children and youth served.
• Oversees grantmaking initiatives, funding systems, reporting structures, and compliance efforts.

• Program Innovation, Learning, and Quality Improvement

• Oversees statewide learning systems, curriculum development, leadership training, and educational initiatives.
• Identifies, evaluates, and integrates promising, evidence-informed practices from the fields of child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and other related fields that can strengthen CASA programs statewide.
• Maintains awareness of best practices from CASA programs across the state and nation, as well as adjacent sectors that are serving the child welfare and juvenile justice populations.
• Promotes evidence-informed practices and continuous quality-improvement strategies.
• Oversees quality assurance, accreditation, and assessment efforts aligned with state and national standards.

• Data and Impact Strategy

• Guides statewide data, evaluation, and outcomes strategies.
• Leverages statewide data, evaluation findings, and program outcomes to strengthen decision-making and identify trends.
• Demonstrates impact, informs strategic investments and funding decisions, and communicates CA CASA’s statewide impact.
• Uses data to supports impact storytelling, grant reporting, and organizational communications.
• Promotes evidence-informed practices and continuous quality-improvement strategies.

• Staff Leadership & Team Development

• Supervises the Sr. Director of Program Operations and Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, and leads, mentors, and supports the entire program team while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Supports staff development, succession planning, and organizational leadership capacity amongst program team.
• Ensures accountability, communication, and alignment across the entire organization, and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, public policy, and/or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, child welfare, juvenile justice, public government or policy systems, or related fields, with 5+ years of senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading complex program initiatives and teams.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational development, governance, and capacity-building.
• Strong communication, facilitation, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with government and private sector grants, budgets, statewide initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience using data and outcomes to inform strategy and to communicate impact.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, culturally-responsive practices that strengthen outcomes for children, youth, volunteers, and local CASA programs.
• Ability to travel statewide throughout California.
• Experience with Court Appointed Special Advocate and/or Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) mission and organizations is a bonus.
• Experience with statewide associations or similar organizations is a bonus.
• Experience and track record of public policy or legislative advocacy is a bonus.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and quality assurance/improvement efforts is a bonus.

Compensation And Benefits

• Competitive compensation package is offered, with a salary in the range of $140,000 to $210,000 depending on experience, professional qualifications, and education.
• CA CASA staff work 100% remotely with no permanent physical office (office equipment provided).
• The CPO will be expected to attend meetings with staff, Board members, and stakeholders as well as participate in various business and social events.
• There will be occasional out-of-town overnight travel.
• The CPO will engage in intermittent physical activities, including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking, during working hours.
• It is anticipated the person may spend many hours each day seated at their home office computer.
• Reasonable accommodation is offered to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass background checks in compliance with CA Rule of Court 5.655.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance is required.
• Must have a satisfactory driving record and regular access to a vehicle for meetings and activities.
• Employee Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Plan, 403(b) Employer Match, Flexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent Care), Vacation/Personal Days, and Paid Sick Time.

How To Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to apply. No calls please.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CA CASA is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. CA CASA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.