Chief Program and Impact Officer

Job Title: Chief Program and Impact Officer

Department: Management and General

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: On-site

Employment Type: Full Time

Why Join YWCA Princeton?

YWCA Princeton is a mission-driven organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We advance this mission through a wide range of programs that foster equity and expand opportunity for women, girls, and marginalized groups at every age and stage of life. Our offerings include early childhood education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, a Breast Cancer Resource Center, economic empowerment initiatives, racial and gender equity advocacy, and opportunities for professional development and community connection.

About the Role:

The Chief Program and Impact Officer (CPIO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO. The CPIO provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all mission-based programs of the YWCA, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The CPIO oversees a diverse program portfolio including the Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center, English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), Advocacy and equity-focused programming. This role is responsible for program design, evaluation, and accountability; developing staff leadership and infrastructure; ensuring compliance with contracts and budgets; advancing equity initiatives; and strengthening the organization’s impact through community partnerships, advocacy, and data-driven outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and solutions-focused leader with a deep understanding of nonprofit program management, equity-based practices, and community partnerships.

What You will Do:

1. Strategic Leadership & Mission Alignment (25%)

• Articulate, implement, and advance YWCA’s mission, vision, and strategic goals across all programs.
• Develop, manage, and scale equity-centered programs that address racism, sexism, and barriers for women and girls.
• Lead program innovation and expansion in alignment with organizational strategic plans.
• Serve as a visible ambassador of YWCA in the community, raising the organization’s profile through advocacy, partnerships, and external communications.

1. Program Oversight & Development (25%)

• Direct and oversee a portfolio of programs: Early Childhood Education, ESL, BCRC, Advocacy, and community equity programs.
• Design, implement, and evaluate programs focused on:
• Economic advancement and workforce development
• Leadership development for women and girls
• Health and wellness equity
• Women’s and girls’ safety
• Early education and youth development
• Teen empowerment and advocacy initiatives
• Develop outcome metrics, accountability systems, and continuous improvement strategies to maximize participant success.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, grants, budgets, and program standards.

1. Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture (15%)

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development to program directors and assistant directors.
• Create and manage supervisory structures that maximize service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Foster a culture of equity, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability across program teams.
• Engage and support volunteers, ensuring recognition of their contributions.

1. Impact Measurement & Resource Stewardship (20%)

• Collect, analyze, and report program data to evaluate effectiveness, outcomes, and community impact.
• Communicate progress to internal and external stakeholders through reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with advancement and finance teams to align program budgets with organizational priorities.
• Support fundraising through program narratives, grant management, and cultivating relationships with funders and partners.

1. Community Partnerships & Advocacy (15%)

• Build and sustain relationships with funders, government agencies, and community partners to advance mission and impact.
• Promote awareness of local and national issues related to racism and women’s empowerment.
• Lead YWCA’s mission-based equity work and relationships with businesses, institutions, and community coalitions.

Qualifications

What You Bring:

We are looking for someone who brings a combination of the following:

• Education: Minimum Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social sciences, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field strongly preferred. Equivalent combination of education and extensive experience considered.

• Experience:
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership in nonprofit, government, or philanthropic settings.
• Proven success managing multiple programs, contracts, and budgets in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated experience in equity programming, advocacy, community engagement, and cultural competency.
• Experience in program design, delivery, evaluation, grant writing, and grant management.
• Skills & Competencies:

o Strong strategic planning, analytic, and problem-solving skills.

o Excellent communication, public speaking, and partnership-building abilities.

o Skilled supervisor and team leader with the ability to build capacity and motivate diverse staff.

o Adept at financial oversight, data-driven decision making, and reporting.

o Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and confidential data management systems.

• Personal Qualities: Integrity, credibility, flexibility, and commitment to continuous improvement. Dedicated to YWCA’s mission and values.

We recognize that experience can come in many forms — if you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply.

Core Values & Competencies

At YWCA Princeton, success isn’t just about what you do — it’s how you do it. We value team members who:

• Mission-Driven & Equity-Centered: We work every day to eliminate racism and empower women. Equity guides our decisions, practices, and partnerships.
• Transparent & Trust-Based: We foster open communication, clarity, and respect at all levels. Trust is the foundation of how we lead, collaborate, and grow.
• Growth-Minded & Learning-Focused: We embrace curiosity, feedback, and professional development. Staff are supported in their growth and encouraged to innovate.
• Wellness & Care-Oriented: We prioritize work-life balance and a culture of compassion. Our policies and benefits reflect a deep commitment to employee well-being.

What You Can Expect:

Work Environment & Accessibility:

• Work is performed in-office
• This role may require [sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 lbs., etc.].
• We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Benefits and Compensation:

We offer a competitive compensation package:

• Compensation: $100,000, commensurate with experience.
• Paid time off, 13.5 holidays per year, and access to health and wellness benefits.
• Employees also receive professional development opportunities and are welcomed into a values-driven, people-first culture.
• All full-time YWCA employees are entitled to receive a 25% discount on childcare, classes, and summer program fees.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

YWCA Princeton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state (including NJLAD), or local law.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.

Benefits and Compensation:

We offer a competitive compensation package:

• Compensation: $100,000, commensurate with experience.
• Paid time off, 13.5 holidays per year, and access to health and wellness benefits.
• Employees also receive professional development opportunities and are welcomed into a values-driven, people-first culture.
• All full-time YWCA employees are entitled to receive a 25% discount on childcare, classes, and summer program fees.