Chief Program Officer

Lantern Community Services Inc•New York, NY

4d•$200,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a true seat at the table. As Chief Program Officer, you'll set the direction for Lantern's programs and help shape the future of the organization alongside the Executive Director. Lantern already has strong program leaders in place, so this role is about strategy, not day-to-day supervision: you'll look across our entire ecosystem of emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing, decide which of our innovative programs to grow, and bring the vision that takes them further. If you want to build rather than maintain, and you're ready to do it in New York City, we want to hear from you. Candidates relocating from outside New York are encouraged to apply; a relocation package is available.

Requirements

Master's degree.
Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the human services sector, including at least 10 years in a leadership capacity.
Experience working in a shelter environment.
Demonstrated experience in program innovation, supervision, clinical oversight, funder relationships, and fiscal management.
Expertise in developing and monitoring outcome metrics for homeless services, mental health/substance use services, housing services, or related fields.
Strategic vision paired with sound judgment in prioritizing investment in people and systems with the greatest quality and impact.
Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate with a dynamic leadership team in a rapidly growing organization.
Adaptable and comfortable in a fast-moving environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions.

Nice To Haves

LCSW and/or additional advanced degrees, licensures, or certifications.
Strong community and government relationships in New York City, particularly in health and human services. Candidates from outside NYC with comparable relationships in their own markets are encouraged to apply.
A track record of growing, scaling, or launching innovative programs.

Responsibilities

Define the short- and long-term strategic direction for Lantern's emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing programs, including case management, integrated service programming, and evidence-based models.
Identify Lantern's most promising programs and innovations, decide which to scale, and champion new initiatives that benefit clients and staff.
Track sector trends and emerging best practices and translate them into organizational strategy.
Partner with the Executive Director on agency-wide strategy, funding priorities, and partnerships with philanthropic organizations, corporations, and local service providers.
Establish program success metrics with senior staff, quality assurance, and developers of evidence-informed practices; partner with QA to build a transparent, agency-wide data dashboard; and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Present outcomes and their implications to executive leadership and the fund development team, ensuring programs are effective, compliant with funder requirements, and backed by evidence; work with Finance and Fund Development to keep program spending aligned with contracts.
Guide and mentor approximately seven senior program leaders, empowering them to run their areas while you focus on the bigger picture.
Work with Human Resources to assess staff development needs, shape training that keeps service delivery true to its models, and open doors for staff to engage with industry peers.
Embed trauma-informed, client-centered practice and Lantern's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all programs.
Represent Lantern on committees, task forces, conference panels, and speaking engagements, and contribute to all-staff gatherings, mission and values statements, and Lantern's public and social media presence.