JOB TITLE: Chief Program Officer

PAY: 115k – 125k

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt/ Full Time

 

 

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

In keeping with the Mission Statement and Principles of Covenant House, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves as a key member of the Covenant House Georgia Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership across all service and operational areas. The CPO oversees the quality, efficiency, and impact of all CHGA programs ensuring each has the appropriate infrastructure, staffing, resources, and communication systems to support both current activities and future growth. This role provides visionary leadership that integrates program excellence, operational efficiency, and advocacy efforts to advance CHGA’s mission of serving youth experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking. The CPO ensures alignment with Covenant House International (CHI) standards, promotes a data-driven culture of continuous improvement, and leads efforts to advocate for policies and practices that improve the lives of vulnerable young people.

 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

Program Oversight and Quality Assurance

  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all CHGA programs and services to ensure alignment with organizational mission, vision, and goals.
  • Ensure programs are equipped with the appropriate infrastructure (staffing, resources, technology, processes, and communication lines) to support current and future operations.
  • Works in partnership to oversee operational functions that directly support program success, including food services, housekeeping, security, and maintenance, ensuring they meet organizational standards for safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.

 

Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership

  • Partner with executive and senior leadership teams (ELT and SLT) to lead operational strategic planning efforts, providing direction and decision-making that impacts organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
  • Provide insight and recommendations to the CEO and ELT on key decisions affecting organizational growth and program direction.
  • Collaborate with internal departments including Human Resources, Finance, Development and Operations to ensure alignment between mission delivery and administrative functions.

 

Quality, Data, and Compliance

  • Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making; ensure programs fully participate in data collection, analysis, and use of data to drive improvement.
  • Support Director of Operations and CQI to regularly coordinate with Covenant House International (CHI) on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Supplemental Data Reports, and other required metrics.
  • Manage and monitor CHGA’s operational dashboard, ensuring timely and accurate data collection from each department; identify and analyze variances and trends; and present findings and recommendations to the CEO, ELT, SLT, and CHI.
  • Partner with Development and CQI to ensure compliance with accrediting bodies, local, state, and federal regulations, as well as with grant and foundation requirements.

 

Fiscal Oversight and Contract Management

  • Oversee program budgets and ensure compliance with all contract, grant, and funding requirements in collaboration with Program Directors, Development, Human Resources, and the Finance Department.
  • Ensure all program operations comply with accrediting body standards, local, state, and federal regulations, and grant or foundation requirements.
  • Monitor performance against grant requirements and reporting deadlines to maintain compliance and funding continuity.

 

Advocacy and Community Engagement

  • Partners with CEO to lead CHGA’s advocacy efforts to promote awareness and influence policy that benefits youth experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking and supports the mission of Covenant House Georgia.
  • Represent CHGA on community task forces, committees, benchmarking activities, and collaborative initiatives that advance systemic change and strengthen community partnerships.
  • Collaborate with external partners, funders, and stakeholders to amplify CHGA’s voice as a leading advocate for youth experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking and opportunity youth in Georgia.
  • Build and sustain partnerships with community agencies, funders, and other stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and impact.

 

Team Leadership and Development

  • Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate directors and staff within assigned departments.
  • Ensure staff receive the necessary resources, professional development, and support to excel in their roles and deliver high-quality services.
  • Foster a positive, mission-driven, and collaborative work culture focused on accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

 

Qualifications:

  • Education & Experience: Master’s degree in social work, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
  • Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in human services, youth services, or a related nonprofit environment.
  • Demonstrated success in program development, strategic planning, data-driven performance management, and budget oversight.
  • Strong understanding of compliance and reporting requirements for government contracts, foundations, and accreditation bodies.
  • Proven ability to lead and motivate diverse teams, build collaborative partnerships, and represent the organization externally.
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Deep commitment to the mission and core values of Covenant House Georgia.

 

Working Conditions:

  • Work may include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of youth.
  • Must be able to engage in moderate physical activity and occasional off-site activities .

 

 

OUR COMMUNITY

Our critical mission demands that we have all voices at the table. A team of diverse people, perspectives, and experiences is smarter, stronger, and more effective for our young people. At Covenant House, every team member is valued, respected, heard, and supported, and we welcome honest and courageous self-reflection on any aspects of our work that are based on biased or outdated viewpoints. We deliberately create opportunities for our staff to grow and thrive.

Covenant House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: CH is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CH are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, family or parental status, disability status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CH will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages all qualified applicants to apply. If you are fun, dynamic, and hardworking, come join our awesome international team in an organization with a heart!      

 

I understand that the statements included in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position, and that they are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Further, this job description does not state or imply that this is a contract between the individual in this position and Covenant House.

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