Chief Program Officer

Overview

Position Summary:

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.

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is responsible for providing executive-level leadership and strategic oversight of all Center on Halsted programs and services. Core functions include:

• 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.

Organizational & Program Leadership

• 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.

Program Strategy, Evaluation & Impact

• 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.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Directly supervise and mentor program directors and…