Chief Program Officer

Position:

Chief Program Officer

Position Summary:

SMYAL is seeking a strategic and collaborative Chief Program Officer (CPO) to lead the organization’s programmatic strategy, impact, and growth. The CPO oversees a diverse portfolio of services, including housing, mental health, youth development, and community engagement programs that support LGBTQ+ youth across the DC region.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior leadership team, the CPO ensures that SMYAL’s programs are impactful, well-coordinated, and responsive to the evolving needs of the community. This role leads program strategy, strengthens operational systems, and supports program directors in delivering high-quality services and achieving measurable outcomes aligned with SMYAL’s mission and strategic goals.

As a key member of the leadership team, the CPO plays a critical role in aligning program delivery with organizational strategy while ensuring excellence, compliance, and sustainability across all services.

Position Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support to the Director of Youth Housing, Director of Youth Development & Community Engagement, and Director of Clinical Services.
• Ensure alignment, coordination, and integration across program areas to deliver holistic, youth‑centered services.
• Partner with the CEO to translate organizational strategy into clear program priorities, goals, and measurable outcomes.
• Support the design, refinement, and scaling of programs in alignment with SMYAL’s strategic plan and community needs.

Quality, Compliance & Outcomes

• Ensure programs meet all contractual, regulatory, licensing, and funder requirements across local, state, and federal funding streams.
• Lead the use of program data and evaluation to strengthen service models, demonstrate impact, and inform organizational strategy.
• Partner with directors to identify trends, address risks, and proactively resolve challenges related to service delivery, staffing, or compliance.
• Support consistent, high‑quality documentation, reporting, and data integrity across departments.

People Management & Organizational Culture

• Foster a supportive, accountable, and values‑driven leadership culture rooted in equity, belonging, and trauma‑informed practice.
• Support directors in staff supervision, professional development, performance management, and team development.
• Partner with Human Resources and the Chief Executive Officer on workforce planning, leadership development, and succession planning within program teams.

Budgeting & Resource Stewardship

• Collaborate with program directors, Finance, and Development to support the development and management of program budgets.
• Monitor program expenditures and staffing models to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with program goals.
• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Development team to support funding strategy, grant planning, and funder relationships as they relate to programs.

External Partnerships & Representation

• Serve as a senior program representative to funders, government agencies, community partners, and coalitions
• Strengthen cross-sector partnerships that enhance service coordination, referral pathways, and systems-level impact for LGBTQ+ youth.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand services, strengthen referral networks, and advance outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth.
• Contribute program expertise to advocacy efforts and organizational communications that elevate SMYAL’s program impact.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a key member of SMYAL’s senior leadership team, helping shape organizational strategy, resource allocation, and operational priorities.
• Lead and support cross‑departmental initiatives that strengthen systems, policies, and internal alignment.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of SMYAL’s mission and goals.

Position Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work, public health, counseling, nonprofit management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in human services, youth‑serving, or community‑based organizations.
• Demonstrated experience supervising senior‑level staff and managing complex, multi‑department programs.
• Strong understanding of program compliance, government contracts, and grant‑funded services.
• Proven ability to lead with an equity lens and support diverse teams serving LGBTQ+ youth, particularly youth of color and youth experiencing housing instability.
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments such as Development, Finance, and Operations.
• Knowledge of the Washington, DC human services and LGBTQ+ landscape strongly preferred.
• This position requires some evening and weekend availability.

To Apply:

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received. No phone calls, please. Salary is $150,000 with excellent benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, EAP, vacation and sick time. This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid).

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. SMYAL believes in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as bringing your authentic self to the workplace. So if you are excited about this position but your past experiences do not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may be just the right person for this or other positions.

About SMYAL:

SMYAL supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains and advocates for programs, policies and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood.

SMYAL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibility, physical or mental handicap, or political affiliation. SMYAL is committed to accessibility and providing reasonable accommodations.

Salary is $150,000 with excellent benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, EAP, vacation and sick time. This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid).