Chief Impact Officer

Cara Collective seeks to fuel a courageous national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty. Through our three entities – Cara, Cleanslate, and Cara Plus – we engage job seekers, employers, and other organizations across the country to break the cycle of poverty through the power and purpose of employment. Currently, we connect over 1,000 people to jobs each year; however, our results don’t just end with employment.

We take the insights gained over the past 35+ years to equip other organizations and employers with practices to help build a more inclusive economy. Learn more acollective.org.

The Impact Team is the heart and soul of Cara. It is this team that delivers our renowned workforce development program rooted in social emotional learning (“SEL”) and personal transformation. The work of the Impact Team is foundational to bringing individuals in need back to the dignity and productivity of employment. Through these efforts, families become stronger, relationships are healed, and communities become more vibrant because nothing gives you a positive outlook on life like a meaningful career.

The team is comprised of life and career coaches, trainers specializing in SEL, and specialists in supportive services, financial and digital literacy, program recruitment and intake.

The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) serves as a member of the Executive Team and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of all Cara Collective programming, including recruitment and admissions, social emotional development, career coaching and advancement, and holistic participant support services. The Chief Impact Officer strategically manages Cara’s core program and initiatives related to our participants’ preparation for, placement into, and long-term success in employment.

This role, and the team it leads, are the backbone of the organization. In addition to overseeing direct service delivery, the Chief Impact Officer manages and maintains program-connected external and internal stakeholder relationships.

As an Executive Team member, the Chief Impact Officer ensures the integration and alignment of program services between departments across the organization. This role provides unique insights on approaches to participant personal development and transformation, as well as career pathway development. The CIO will ensure programmatic alignment with employer and market demands utilizing data-based decision-making while collaborating with organizational leaders across operations, finance, external affairs, HR and other existing and future business units including our social enterprise Cleanslate.

Additionally, the Chief Impact Officer should demonstrate consistent work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to teamwork while upholding Cara’s mission and values at all times.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and influential leader who builds trust quickly, communicates with clarity, and partners effectively across all levels of the organization. They are known for driving results, navigating complexity, and delivering high-quality work that strengthens people and operations. They demonstrate strategic leadership and expansive thinking that supports and honors past practices with an eye towards trends and future innovations.

They have significant, strong knowledge of and experience with leading organizations or teams through change.

The ideal candidate is self-aware and possesses a growth mindset. They approach challenges with curiosity, and lead with both empathy and accountability. They are passionate about serving the underserved and creating opportunities for them to thrive. They are committed to both leading a team and being a member of a…