Senior Vice President of Programs

Special Olympics Minnesota Inc•Minneapolis, MN

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

SOMN (Special Olympics Minnesota) is a chapter of the world’s largest organization advocating for the advancement and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, and through current sports, health, and leadership programs engaging people with and without disabilities, provides a positive impact for Minnesotans of every age and every ability. The Senior Vice President of Programming is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for overseeing all mission-driven programing at SOMN. This includes Unified Schools, statewide sports and competitions, volunteer management and leadership of development initiatives. This role ensures programmatic excellence, alignment with organizational goals, and fosters a culture of inclusion, innovation, and impact.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, sports, education, health, or community-based programming.
Proven success in managing cross-functional teams and leading strategic initiatives across multiple departments.
Demonstrated experience in volunteer management, inclusive programming, and health or athlete development initiatives.
Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and execute long-range plans across diverse program areas.
Team Management: Skilled in mentoring, coaching, and building inclusive, high-performing teams.
Program Oversight: Expertise in evaluating program quality, impact, and alignment with organizational goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Strong relationship-building skills with athletes, volunteers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking and training delivery.
Data & Evaluation: Proficient in data analysis, program metrics, and continuous improvement strategies.
Technical Proficiency: Comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, budgeting software, and program management tools.
Passionate about inclusion, equity, and the mission of Special Olympics Minnesota.
Strong conflict resolution skills to foster a collaborative environment.
Resilient, adaptable, and solutions oriented.
Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and continuous learning.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently across Minnesota and nationally as needed.
Ability to lift and transport event equipment (up to 40 lbs.).
Comfortable working in varied environments including schools, sports venues, and outdoor events.

Nice To Haves

Education in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Education, Sports Administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
Experience with Special Olympics or similar mission-driven organizations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic direction and integration of all SOMN programs.
Collaborate with executive leadership to align programming with SOMN’s strategic plan and mission.
Champion innovation and continuous improvement across all program areas.
Supervise and mentor senior program leaders, fostering collaboration and accountability.
Promote professional development and succession planning across departments.
Build a high-performing, inclusive team culture.
Ensure high-quality delivery of Schools Unified Programming (UCS), Young Athletes, statewide competitions, Athlete Leadership, Health and Volunteer Programs
Oversee program evaluation, data analysis, and reporting to ensure impact and compliance with Special Olympics International standards.
Support cross-departmental integration with marketing, fundraising, finance and operations.
Guide the development of a statewide volunteer management system, including recruitment, training, and recognition.
Cultivate relationships with schools, community partners, corporate sponsors, and volunteers.
Represent SOMN at key events and serve as a public ambassador for programming.
Lead budgeting and resource allocation for all program departments.
Collaborate with Finance and Development teams to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.