Chief Program & Learning Officer

Chief Program & Learning Officer (CPLO)

Pay Range
: $/yr - $/yr (base pay). Additional compensation may be based on skills and experience.

Location
:
Sacramento, CA (full‑time on‑site). Travel across California and nationally.

Reports To
: CEO.

The Chief Program & Learning Officer (CPLO) is a senior executive responsible for shaping, leading, and scaling the programmatic vision of the Umoja Community Education Foundation (UCEF). As a core member of the Executive Team, the CPLO provides strategic leadership that drives organizational effectiveness, programmatic excellence, statewide and emerging national impact.

The CPLO oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of all academic, curricular, research, student success, and leadership initiatives across the Umoja network.

• Oversee all programmatic units, including Programs, Curriculum & Instruction, Research & Evaluation, and Regional Coordination.
• Provide leadership and supervision to Program and Regional Coordinators responsible for supporting 83+ campus programs and 16,000+ students across two states.
• Ensure campuses receive high‑quality coaching, technical assistance, and culturally grounded support rooted in Umoja's 18 Practices.
• Design, negotiate, and implement innovative partnership models with higher education institutions, K‑12 partners, non‑profits, and foundations.
• Maintain and expand contracts, MOUs, and formal agreements that advance shared partnership goals.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Team, contributing to organization‑wide strategy, culture, and decision‑making.
• Lead the programmatic direction of Umoja in alignment with the Umoja Forward  Strategic Plan.
• Guide the development and scaling of the Umoja Global Institute, the Center for Policy and Research, and the International Student Fellowship Program.
• Champion culturally responsive pedagogy, African‑centered teaching practices, and equity‑driven leadership across all programs.
• Lead the development and quality assurance of online learning, hybrid course offerings, virtual professional development, and digital instructional tools.
• Supervise directors and regional staff, providing coaching, evaluation, and professional growth pathways.
• Build a high‑performance, collaborative, equity‑centered team culture.
• Ensure cross‑departmental alignment, communication, and operational cohesion.
• Foster a healthy, inclusive, high‑trust culture within UCEF and help shape positive organizational culture.
• Oversee research, evaluation, and data systems that drive continuous improvement and measure campus impact.
• Ensure findings support program design, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.
• Promote the dissemination of Umoja's research and best practices statewide and nationally.
• Manage large‑scale budgets for programs, research, and special initiatives.
• Ensure compliance, accuracy, and responsible use of grant funds.
• Partner with Finance and Development on forecasting, grant writing, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Development team to identify resource gaps and design proposals or funding strategies that strengthen UCEF's program sustainability.
• Liaise with UCEF's Development and Communications team members, as needed, to support fundraising, messaging, and organizational storytelling.
• Represent Umoja in statewide and national partnerships, professional convenings, and system‑level meetings.
• Strengthen relationships with educational systems, foundations, state agencies, national organizations, and philanthropic partners.
• Build and steward relationships with policy makers, institutional leaders, administrators, and community partners to address systemic barriers and improve student outcomes.
• Support growth strategies that expand Umoja's visibility, impact, and influence.

About You

• You are a champion for increasing social and economic opportunity through educational attainment.
• You are a servant leader who thrives in deep relationships with the communities served and collaborates effectively with partners.
• You love to design and build, comfortable with leading a team executing current services and preparing for growth.
• You bring content expertise in…