Chief Program Officer

ABOUT BEAM CENTER

Beam Center is a collaborative and radically trusting learning community that empowers youth through spectacular and collaborative projects. We believe young people are capable of incredible things and work with over 5,000 youth annually across NYC's five boroughs through school partnerships, apprenticeship programs, youth employment enterprises, and summer camps. Our work spans from our headquarters in Red Hook, Brooklyn, to our workshop on Governors Island, and our sleep-away camp in Strafford, New Hampshire.

In addition to nurturing youth, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other’s ambitions and passions. High levels of staff support is a signature element of our model. The BEAM offers staff and participants opportunities to take creative risks, to learn new skills, and to collaborate on big projects in unique ways.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will serve as a key member of Beam Center's leadership team, responsible for overseeing the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of all youth programming. This new role requires a leader who can champion our mission of intergenerational collaboration and creative cooperation while ensuring program quality, sustainability, and growth. The CPO will lead a diverse team of educators, artists, and youth development professionals in delivering transformative experiences that highlight young people as producers of learning and culture.

The CPO will be responsible for ensuring each aspect of our program is designed and implemented to achieve meaningful outcomes. This will require building the capacity of the team; identifying key leading indicators of success; designing robust data collection and evaluation practices; and working closely with all Beam Center programmatic teams. Much of the work of this position will be accomplished by supporting, supervising, and mentoring our Program Directors.

In addition to these responsibilities, the CPO is an important part of a larger team of passionate, dedicated individuals. The CPO will work alongside all other Beam Center employees to support all-hands-on-deck initiatives, honor the strengths and experiences of the youth we serve, and build relationships to advance our mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership

• Work with other executive level staff to provide strategic leadership & support high-level decision-making for the organization
• Participate in regular Leadership Team meetings
• Prepare and provide program reports for Leadership Team & Board of Directors as necessary
• Collaborate with Leadership Team & Board of Directors on organizational governance and strategic direction
• Participate in Board meetings on an as-needed basis
• CPO reports directly to the ED

Strategic Program Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive program strategy aligned with Beam Center's mission of empowering youth through spectacular collaborative projects
• Ensure that programmatic aspects of Beam Center’s strategic plan are operationalized at the program level
• Lead strategic planning processes for all program areas including school partnerships, apprenticeship programs, youth enterprises, and summer camps
• Drive innovation in project-based learning methodologies that integrate technical skills, creative expression, and community building
• Identify and incubate new program opportunities driven by youth needs, community partnerships, and emerging trends in maker education and alternative learning

Program Operations & Management

• Oversee Beam Center’s ecosystem of internal programs and Enterprises, including all youth training, employment, afterschool, and camp programs
• Collaborate with the Director of School Partnerships to ensure program coordination & fidelity across internal & school-based programs
• Ensure consistent and clear communication between/across programs; schedule and facilitate Program Team meetings
• Collaborate with Program Directors to plan for, allocate, and monitor their various personnel, space, tool, material, and other needs
• Ensure safe working environments for staff and youth

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, support, and supervise a team of Program Directors, Managers, and Coordinators, each of whom has a team of direct reports
• Foster a collaborative, equity-centered work environment that reflects Beam Center's values of radical trust and intergenerational cooperation
• Participate in recruitment and hiring processes for key program staff; lead hiring processes where appropriate
• Develop staff capacity through trainings and career advancement opportunities
• Work with direct reports & other Leadership Team members to create professional development plans for all supervisees
• Create systems for effective communication and coordination across multiple programs, program sites, and partnerships
• Conduct annual performance reviews for all direct reports

Community & Partnership Development

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with community-based organizations and institutions
• Serve as external ambassador for Beam Center's programming, representing the organization at conferences, panels, and other events as necessary
• Coordinate with other Beam Center staff to ensure a cohesive approach to partnerships

Data & Evaluation

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators, regularly evaluating programs to optimize youth outcomes and organizational impact
• In collaboration with Program Directors, design & implement robust data collection and evaluation systems to measure program impact and youth outcomes
• Utilize evaluation tools & program data to drive continual program improvement and decision-making around program expansion
• Prepare comprehensive reports for organizational leadership, funders, BOD, and community stakeholders
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements for youth programming and funding contracts

Finance & Fundraising

• Collaborate with Finance Dept. and Program Directors to develop and oversee program budgets
• Work with Finance & Development Dept’s to develop program funding plans and identify specific funding opportunities
• Support Development Dept. as needed in program-specific grant-writing and fundraising activities
• Participate in the management of relationships with funders and supporters on an as-needed basis

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in Education, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field strongly preferred
• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in youth development, education, or nonprofit program management
• At least 3 years in senior management role with significant budget and staff oversight responsibilities
• Skilled people manager, with experience building and leading teams and guiding team members’ growth and development
• Experience with successful partnership development and management

Core Competencies

• Adaptive Leadership: Proven ability to lead in dynamic, creative environments with diverse stakeholders and evolving program needs
• Program Development: Strong track record of designing, implementing, and scaling innovative youth programs
• Project & Team Management: Experience managing diverse teams of 15+ staff members with ability to coordinate complex, multi-site initiatives
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated experience with budget management, supporting grant writing and revenue diversification
• Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences including youth, families, educators, funders, and community leaders
• Collaboration: able to work with a diverse team, see and honor the strengths of others, and build consensus
• Strong critical and reflective thinking with the ability to make strategic and data-driven decisions
• Deep understanding of positive youth development principles and trauma-informed practices

Preferred Qualifications

Education-Adjacent Experience:

• Familiarity with alternative education models, vocational training, or maker education approaches
• Understanding of STEM/STEAM pedagogy and hands-on learning methodologies
• Experience with arts-integrated programming or creative youth development
• Knowledge of NYC Department of Education systems and out-of-school time programming

Specialized Knowledge:

• Background in trades, technical skills, or maker movement principles (fabrication, construction, digital media)
• Experience with social enterprise or earned revenue program development

This is a full-time position requiring flexibility across multiple program sites in NYC and occasional travel to New Hampshire. Evening and weekend work may be required during peak programming periods. The role involves both office-based strategic work and hands-on program site visits. Must be comfortable in maker spaces, construction environments, and diverse community settings.

COMPENSATION

Beam Center strongly believes in selecting the top, qualified candidates. As a part of your offer, you can expect to receive the following:

Annual Salary range

$90,000 - $110,000, commensurate with experience and skills

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)/Retirement Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off: holiday, vacation, sick, and personal time
• Hybrid work schedule with minimum of 60% of work in office/in person (role and season dependent)

TO APPLY

1. Familiarize yourself with our organization by checking out our website (beamcenter.org), Instagram (@beamcenter.org), and Youtube (youtube.com/beamcenter).
2. Email the following in one pdf file to jobs@beamcenter.org:

• Cover Letter - Address your leadership philosophy around youth development, your experience with program management at scale, and why Beam Center's mission resonates with you. (<300 words)
• Resume
• Three professional references
• Work sample (work photos, curriculum, link to website, etc)

Deadline to apply: September 15 at 9am EST

Beam Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.