Chief Program Officer

CollegeSpring•Walnut Creek, CA

1d•$140,000 - $190,000•Remote

About The Position

CollegeSpring is the only national nonprofit providing teacher-led test prep during the school day, helping students impacted by poverty unlock greater options after high school. For 16 years, we’ve partnered with school districts and organizations across the country to help more than 100,000 primarily first generation, economically disadvantaged, BIPOC students unlock opportunity through increased scores on gateway tests like the SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment). Today, we continue to expand by maximizing impact through larger district and nonprofit partnerships and harnessing the power of technology to better serve teachers and students. At CollegeSpring, everything we do ultimately serves one purpose: improving student outcomes. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) shapes the long-term vision and strategy for CollegeSpring's programs, connecting instructional excellence, evidence, innovation, organizational capacity, partnerships, and technology to maximize student impact. This is a transformational leadership opportunity to shape the next chapter of CollegeSpring's growth and impact. The CPO will lead a national program organization of 12 team members, including three Directors, responsible for delivering high-quality programs today while building the next generation of CollegeSpring's offerings. In FY27, CollegeSpring will serve approximately 55,000 students across more than 100 schools in 15 states, with an ambitious goal of reaching 250,000 students annually by 2030. The CPO will play a central role in achieving that vision by strengthening existing programs, developing new products and services, and expanding CollegeSpring's impact. Success in this role will be measured by the Chief Program Officer's ability to improve student outcomes while strengthening CollegeSpring's long-term organizational growth and impact. Key results include: 100% of participating students increase their assessment scores. 90% of participating students meet college readiness benchmarks. 90% of participating students increase test confidence. 85% partner retention through exceptional program quality and partner experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Education, Public Policy, Public Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
15+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in education, education nonprofit, edtech, or a related field, including significant experience leading organizational or program strategy.
Executive program leadership with demonstrated success developing long-term program strategy, driving innovation, and leading the evolution of educational programs that improve student outcomes.
Strategic partnership experience building executive-level relationships with school systems, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, funders, and other key stakeholders that advance organizational growth and mission.
Instructional expertise with a deep understanding of curriculum, assessment, educator capacity building, and evidence-based instructional practices that improve student achievement.
Visionary leadership with demonstrated success identifying emerging trends, translating ideas into strategy, and leading organizations through growth, innovation, and change.
Commitment to leveraging technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging innovations to improve educator effectiveness, program quality, operational efficiency, and student outcomes.
Executive communication and influence with exceptional presentation, facilitation, and storytelling skills, including experience engaging boards, executive leaders, funders, and national audiences.
Deep commitment to educational equity and a belief that all students can achieve at high levels, with a passion for expanding opportunity through innovative, high-quality educational programs.

Nice To Haves

Advanced graduate study in Education, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Experience leading statewide or national education initiatives, particularly those involving strategic growth, innovation, or systems change.
Experience with college and career readiness programs, high-stakes assessments (SAT, ACT, TSIA2, ACCUPLACER, ACT Workkeys), or large-scale instructional improvement initiatives.
Established reputation as a thought leader through publications, conference presentations, research, advisory boards, or other contributions to the education sector.

Responsibilities

Steward the long-term excellence and evolution of CollegeSpring's program, ensuring it continues to deepen student impact while responding to the evolving needs of educators, partners, and the education landscape.
Define the long-term vision and strategic direction for CollegeSpring's instructional model, program portfolio, curriculum, and technology ecosystem.
Continuously strengthen the quality, innovation, effectiveness, and scalability of CollegeSpring's instructional model and program portfolio to improve student outcomes.
Identify and lead strategic innovations, including new curriculum, services, instructional models, and the thoughtful application of AI and emerging technologies that expand CollegeSpring's impact and position the organization to serve significantly more students over time.
Provide executive leadership that aligns strategy, people, investments, and organizational priorities to maximize student impact.
Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping organizational priorities, investment decisions, resource allocation, and long-term planning. Integrate data, program outcomes, educator and partner feedback, operational realities, financial considerations, and emerging trends to evaluate opportunities, navigate competing priorities, and make strategic decisions that maximize long-term student impact.
Lead and develop a national program organization of Directors and program leaders, building the organizational capacity required to scale CollegeSpring's impact while maintaining program quality and student outcomes.
Champion CollegeSpring's mission, values, and commitment to educational equity while ensuring every strategic decision advances measurable student outcomes.
Cultivate the relationships, influence, and opportunities that expand CollegeSpring's reach, strengthen its reputation, and advance its mission.
Cultivate relationships with school systems, nonprofit organizations, funders, higher education institutions, state agencies, and strategic partners that advance the mission.
Identify and pursue opportunities to expand CollegeSpring's reach through new markets, program offerings, funding opportunities, and strategic collaborations.
Represent CollegeSpring nationally through thought leadership, speaking engagements, publications, and participation in education networks.