Chief People Officer (CPO) (Volunteer)

Description

Chief People Officer (CPO) (Volunteer)

People, Culture & Organizational Development

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer (Executive Leadership Role)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, housing innovation, and community-based programs.

MAP’s people—staff, volunteers, mentors, and leaders—are the heart of the organization. A strong, ethical, and humane people strategy is essential to sustaining trust, excellence, and long-term impact.

Role Overview

The Chief People Officer (CPO) is MAP’s senior leader responsible for shaping the people experience, talent philosophy, equity practices, engagement strategy, and leadership development across the organization.

This role sets the vision for how MAP attracts, supports, grows, and retains people—while ensuring practices are trauma-informed, inclusive, compliant, and aligned with MAP’s mission and values.

The CPO serves as a core thought partner to the Executive Director and senior leadership, embedding dignity, accountability, and care into every aspect of MAP’s people systems.

Key Responsibilities

People Strategy & Culture

• Set and steward MAP’s people and talent philosophy
• Shape a values-aligned, trauma-informed organizational culture
• Ensure the people experience reflects dignity, trust, and care at every stage

Talent, Growth & Development

• Oversee volunteer and staff lifecycle strategy (recruitment, onboarding, development, transition)
• Support leadership development, coaching, and growth pathways
• Align roles, responsibilities, and expectations across teams

Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

• Lead MAP’s DEI strategy with accountability and intention
• Ensure equitable, inclusive practices across hiring, leadership, and engagement
• Embed cultural responsiveness and accessibility into people systems

Engagement & Well-Being

• Support engagement, retention, and burnout prevention strategies
• Promote psychologically safe, supportive work environments
• Advise leadership on capacity, workload, and sustainability

Governance, Policy & Compliance

• Oversee people-related policies, standards, and ethical practices
• Partner with Operations, Legal, and Risk teams on compliance and safeguarding
• Support leadership and board-level people strategy discussions

Qualifications

• Senior experience in human resources, people operations, organizational development, or talent leadership
• Strong grounding in trauma-informed, equity-centered people practices
• Experience advising executive leadership or boards
• Ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and strategic rigor
• Excellent communication and systems-thinking skills
• Deep alignment with MAP’s mission and values

Preferred Backgrounds

• Nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
• Education, youth development, housing, or social services sectors
• Experience scaling volunteer-driven or hybrid organizations
• DEI leadership or organizational culture transformation

Commitment

• Volunteer executive leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Executive-level leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven organization
• Direct influence over culture, equity, and people systems
• Collaboration with senior leadership and governance partners
• Professional references and recognition for pro bono leadership
• The opportunity to help build a people-centered organization that truly lives its values

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) outlining people leadership philosophy and interest in MAP’s mission

Help shape a people-first organization where dignity, equity, and growth are not slogans—but daily practice.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.