Chief Programs Officer

The Samaritan Inn • McKinney, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

About the Samaritan Inn: The Samaritan Inn is a comprehensive homelessness program committed to helping people regain stability, independence, and—above all—realize their inherent dignity. We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported through services that honor their lived experience, strengths, and goals. We are a comprehensive housing program that supports individuals in realizing dignity and gaining independence, and we do that through a variety of programming. Summary of the Job: The Chief Programs Officer (CPO) provides visionary, values-driven leadership for all shelter and housing programs at The Samaritan Inn. This role is responsible for ensuring that services are delivered with excellence, compassion, and person-centered dignity, aligning daily operations with the organization’s mission, strategic plan, and growth goals. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CPO oversees program strategy, clinical and operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and cross-department collaboration. The CPO leads and supports program leaders to create a trauma-informed, respectful environment where residents are active participants in their own pathways forward and staff feel supported, valued, and empowered.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Human Services, or a related field and/or Minimum of 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit, residential, or human services environment
• Deep commitment to dignity-centered, person-driven service delivery
• Strong reflective listening, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Understanding of homelessness, trauma, and systemic barriers
• High level of empathy, integrity, and emotional intelligence
• Ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Strong ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality
• Basic computer proficiency (e.g. Microsoft Office, data and case management systems)

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility for professional licensure in the State of Texas preferred

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Operations Provide strategic oversight of daily shelter and program operations, ensuring services are person-centered, strengths-based, and dignity-affirming.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in compliance with organizational policies, best practices, and applicable regulations.
• Lead program planning and implementation in alignment with organizational goals, community needs, and evolving best practices in homelessness response.
• Person-Centered & Dignity-Focused Service Delivery Champion a culture that honors resident voice, choice, autonomy, and lived experience.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and practices reflect trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered approaches.
• Support staff in balancing safety, accountability, and compassion while maintaining residents’ dignity in all interactions.
• Staff Leadership & Development Directly supervise program leadership staff, providing regular coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Foster a supportive team culture that prioritizes reflective supervision, staff wellness, and continuous learning.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, and growth planning for staff and interns.
• Crisis Response & Resident Support Provide leadership in crisis prevention and intervention, ensuring timely, and respectful responses to resident needs and emergencies.
• Serve as part of the on-call leadership team, responding to shelter emergencies within required timeframes when scheduled.
• Promote proactive strategies that reduce crises and support resident stability and well-being.
• Collaboration & Cross-Department Alignment Partner closely with kitchen, maintenance, volunteer engagement, resource development, and administrative teams to ensure a safe, welcoming campus and positive experiences for residents, volunteers, and donors.
• Coordinate care and communication across departments to support holistic, seamless service delivery.
• Data, Compliance & Quality Assurance Oversee accurate documentation, data integrity, and reporting to support program quality, compliance, and impact measurement.
• Collaborate with the resource development team to ensure program outcomes align with funder expectations and organizational impact goals.
• Community & External Engagement Represent The Samaritan Inn with professionalism, empathy, and clarity in interactions with partners, service providers, and the broader community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships that support coordinated care and community-based solutions.

Benefits

• The Samaritan Inn offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive