Chief Program Officer

Title: Chief Program Officer

Reports to: Irene Shih, Founding CEO

Direct reports: No staff reports presently, but the team will grow. Will lead teams of Volunteer Mentors and Connectors, who work directly with Recipients of our programs.

About Pave HER Way:

Pave HER Way is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women to make the world a better place for all women. Pave HER Way provides women with funding, mentorship, network access, and community – to remove barriers for them, and to sponsor them, so that they can make the world more equitable for other women and girls.

Launched in 2025, Pave HER Way is a fast‑growing startup nonprofit led by our Founding CEO Irene Shih, Co-Founders Jamie Mohn and Joe Blackstone, and a dedicated Board of Directors.

Position Summary:

The Chief Program Officer is Pave HER Way’s second full‑time hire and a key leader responsible for scaling and strengthening our three core programs. They ensure all recipients, volunteers, and partners have a high‑quality, mission‑aligned experience. The role requires strong project management, a commitment to equity and impact, and a collaborative approach that supports our culture and community.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning & Execution

• Manage annual program calendars and key milestones
• Maintain project plans and workflows for efficient, scalable operations
• Track progress, address risks, and keep workstreams on schedule
• Implement systems and tools for stronger communication and data tracking
• Partner with the Selection Committee and refine a fair, values‑aligned selection process.
• Oversee volunteer and recipient onboarding and engagement
• Ensure clear, timely communication with recipients throughout their journey

Partnerships, Engagement & Support

• Build and manage relationships with partners whose expertise strengthens the recipient experience
• Identify new partnership opportunities that expand offerings and deepen community impact
• Serve as the main point of contact for partners, ensuring alignment and follow‑through
• Recruit, train, and support Volunteer Mentors and Connectors
• Develop training, onboarding, and ongoing development to boost volunteer engagement and retention
• Foster a positive, mission‑aligned volunteer community through communication and recognition

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Founding CEO and broader team to align program strategy with organizational goals and long‑term vision
• Prepare program reports and insights for leadership, funders, and stakeholders
• Provide program data and stories to support fundraising, communications, and community engagement
• Establish and track KPIs to measure effectiveness and participant outcomes
• Gather and analyze feedback from recipients, volunteers, and partners to drive program improvements

Qualifications & Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strategic thinker who excels at prioritizing, problem-solving, and building systems that will simplify the work
• Collaborative doer who can balance between: pitching in where help is needed, while prioritizing work that is most worth doing
• Nimble learner who excels at knowing what they don’t know, deciding what they need to learn, and evolving as the organization’s needs change over time
• Experience scoping, managing, and executing service programs in a scrappy startup environment (nonprofit experience preferred)
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple timelines
• Comfortability managing up and across, communicating firmly when needed to ensure task and project completion
• Experience working with volunteers, mentorship programs, or community‑based initiatives
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the empowerment of women

Other

• Los Angeles-based (or willing to relocate)
• Hybrid role with flexibility to work from home
• Occasional evening or weekend for special events
• Travel to community events and meetings as needed, including travel to meet with current and prospective partners, and recipients and volunteers (if they are local in Los Angeles)
• Occasional out-of-state travel for conferences or events

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary: $160,000 (negotiable, commensurate with experience)
• Benefits: Pave HER Way offers a comprehensive benefits package that covers health insurance, paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays / office closures

Benefits: Pave HER Way offers a comprehensive benefits package that covers health insurance, paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays / office closures.