Chief Program Officer

SMYAL•Washington, DC

3d•$150,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Washington, DC human services and LGBTQ+ landscape strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.