Deputy Chief Program Officer

JOB TITLE: Deputy Chief Program Officer

REPORTS TO: Chief Program Officer

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (9:00am-5:30pm) [Some nights and weekends required]

LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA

STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hrs/wk, Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [if yes, please reference driving policy]

SALARY RANGE: $110,000 - $120,000 Annually

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is growing! We’re excited to expand our programs and services, creating new opportunities to support youth experiencing homelessness.

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at‑risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma‑informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop‑in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth‑focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long‑term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self‑identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity‑centered approach to problem‑solving.

Under the direction of the Chief Program Officer (CPO), the Deputy Chief of Programs (DCOP) provides leadership, management, and strategic support across SPY’s program portfolio. The DCOP oversees the daily operations of all program departments under their purview, supports Senior Directors in achieving program goals, and ensures quality, compliance, and consistency across sites.

The DCOP works in partnership with the CPO to implement SPY’s strategic plan, manage program expansions, and drive innovation and performance improvement. This role strengthens internal systems, enhances partnerships with community and county agencies, and ensures high‑quality, data‑informed services for youth. The DCOP acts as the operational backbone of the Programs division—translating strategy into execution, supporting staff development, and ensuring programs meet contractual, regulatory, and funder expectations.

• Provide leadership, management, and strategic support across SPY’s program portfolio.
• Oversee the daily operations of all program departments under their purview, support senior directors in achieving program goals, ensuring quality, compliance, and consistency across sites.
• Partner with the CPO to implement SPY’s strategic plan, manage program expansions (including the opening of new housing sites), and drive innovation and performance improvement.
• Strengthen internal systems, enhance partnerships with community and county agencies and ensure high‑quality, data‑informed services for youth.
• Act as the operational backbone of the Programs division—translating strategy into execution, supporting staff development, and ensuring programs meet contractual, regulatory, and funder expectations.
• Participate in the strategic growth of the organization, identifying mission‑aligned opportunities to increase Safe Place for Youth’s impact.
• Engage with Safe Place for Youth’s Board of Directors, facilitating committees, participating in meetings, producing reports and conducting presentations.
• Participate in fund development activities and donor engagement.
• Partner with the CPO to operationalize SPY’s strategic plan within program operations.
• Lead implementation of new initiatives, pilots, and service innovations that improve client outcomes and system alignment.
• Support growth and expansion efforts, including needs assessments, service design and program launch…