Vice President, Program Innovation

Aspire Chicago • Hillside, IL

21h

About The Position

Aspire is seeking an entrepreneurial, systems-minded, and growth-oriented leader to serve as the Vice President, Program Innovation. Tasked with bridging the gap between high-level strategy and operational reality, this leader will advance Aspire’s growth pipeline and programmatic partnerships by executing priorities set by the Executive Team and outlined in the organization’s strategic plan and 7-year roadmap. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and working in close alignment with the VP, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, this leader will serve as the organization’s primary "incubator," taking new concepts and turning them into actionable, scalable, and sustainable business models.

The VP, Program Innovation owns the lifecycle of all new programs—most notably the current expansion of employment services—until they reach operational maturity and stability. This leader must possess a unique approach to relationship building, acting as an external-facing ambassador to cultivate strategic partnerships and identify new revenue-generating opportunities that expand Aspire’s reach. Success in this role requires a candidate who can balance a growth mindset with the technical rigor needed to build the internal systems (the processes, staffing models, and workflows) that allow new initiatives to thrive before they are transitioned to the core program operations team. The VP will be responsible for building robust management systems, establishing clear guardrails and expectations for various team members including creating a standard process for those with billable hours and caseloads. The ideal candidate is a proactive change agent who can navigate a complex cultural landscape with sensitivity and follow through.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in program strategy, innovation, partnerships, or related fields, required
• Demonstrated experience designing, piloting, and scaling programs in a fast-paced, changing, and complex environment, required.
• Experience managing strategic partnerships across sectors, required.
• Experience using data and evaluation to inform program decision-making, required.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record, required.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office, required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in human services, public administration, business administration, social innovation, or related field, preferred.
• Experience with innovation frameworks such as design thinking, human-centered design, or rapid-cycle learning, preferred.
• Familiarity with intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) services or community-based support, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of business plans for new initiatives, ensuring growth targets and team member benchmarks are met even during complex pilot phases.
• Transform independent and siloed teams into a cohesive unit through focused supervision and a shared sense of purpose and assist team members to apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Act as an incubator, turning raw concepts into actionable services with a proactive approach to partnership development. A leader that is constantly looking for better ways to scale Aspire’s reach and impact.
• Evaluate new program opportunities with a sharp eye for both mission alignment and sustainability. Ensure that programs are designed for long-term success and keep the organization moving forward.
• This leader is direct and fair in their communication, capable of addressing departmental stagnation by providing effective coaching and setting firm professional standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees