Chief Program Officer

Chief Program Officer (CPO)

Seeking a full-time Chief Program Officer (CPO), reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CPO is a key executive leader responsible for implementing statewide program strategy as well as network leadership, organizational effectiveness, and quality assurance efforts that strengthen CA CASA's network of 44 local CASA programs. These programs, which serve 53 of the state's 58 counties, are providing transformative advocacy and support for children and youth in California's dependency and juvenile justice systems. CPO integrates CA CASA's statewide program initiatives, peer learning, quality assurance and improvement, data collection and analysis, and public policy functions into a cohesive strategy that strengthens local CASA programs, expands their organizational capacities, and advances systems that improve outcomes for children and youth. They oversee a range of statewide initiatives including capacity-building, training systems, data and outcomes strategy, DEI, quality and accreditation support, leadership development, statewide grantmaking, technical assistance, program site reviews, annual conferences, regional meetings, and cross-sector partnerships. CPO is accountable for ensuring this overall strategy translates into measurable improvements across the network. In addition, they supervise the Dir. of Policy & Legislative Affairs, ensuring a robust ongoing legislative advocacy in Sacramento to build long-term financial stability for the CASA network and CA CASA.

As a visible statewide leader, the CPO helps position CA CASA as a responsive and forward-thinking organization that identifies emerging opportunities and challenges impacting local CASA programs and the broader child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The CPO fosters innovation, alignment, and impact, and collaborates with the CA CASA Executive Leadership Team, the local program Executive Directors/CEOs, Boards of Directors, judges, state agencies, consultants, funders, and statewide/national partners. This position is remote, California works from home with routine statewide travel required.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy

• Reporting to the CEO, the CPO is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (CPO, Chief Financial & Operating Officer, and Chief Philanthropy Officer) and helps to shape CA CASA's strategy, priorities, and long-term sustainability, partnering closely with them on organizational planning, systems-change efforts, and statewide initiatives.
• Provides strategic counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors regarding emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting the statewide CASA network.
• Leads and implements complex initiatives aligned with the mission, strategic plan, and funding priorities, and supports organizational effectiveness, change management, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Provides executive oversight for public policy, legislative affairs, and government relations strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, strategic plan, and statewide program priorities.
• Oversees Policy & Legislative Affairs activities and integrates them with statewide program priorities, legislative advocacy, public policy, research, and systems change efforts into a unified organizational legislative strategy. Advises on the programmatic implications of proposed legislation, state budget investments, and public policy initiatives affecting the local CASA network.
• Represents CA CASA with state agencies, judicial leaders, philanthropic partners, statewide associations, and national organizations, and serve as an executive ambassador as assigned by the CEO.

Statewide Network Leadership & Capacity-Building

• Serves as a primary liaison and trusted advisor to the 44 local CASA programs, and builds collaborative relationships with Executive Directors/CEOs, Board leaders, judges, and statewide stakeholders. Supports local programs through organizational/leadership transitions, growth opportunities, and operational challenges, including succession planning, governance development, and organizational sustainability.
• Cultivates statewide strategic partnerships that strengthen organizational capacity, expand collaborative initiatives, and advance CA CASA's mission.
• Across the network, leads technical assistance, peer learning, leadership development, and statewide support efforts, and promote alignment, collaboration, and sharing of promising practices.
• Uplifts all voices and perspectives, and upholds priorities related to serving the identities and experiences of all children and youth served.
• In terms of funding from the State of CA, oversees grantmaking initiatives, funding systems, reporting structures, and compliance efforts. Provides executive oversight for major program budgets, state appropriations, contracts, and grants, ensuring strong stewardship, compliance, and measurable impact.

Program Innovation, Learning, and Quality Improvement

• Oversees statewide learning systems, curriculum development, leadership training, and educational initiatives. Supports innovative and accessible learning models, including virtual and technology-enhanced approaches.
• Identifies, evaluates, and integrates promising, evidence-informed practices from the fields of child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and other related fields that can strengthen CASA programs statewide.
• Maintains awareness of best practices from CASA programs across the state and nation, as well as adjacent sectors that are serving the child welfare and juvenile justice populations.
• Promotes evidence-informed practices and continuous quality-improvement strategies.
• Oversees quality assurance, accreditation, and assessment efforts aligned with state and national standards.

Data and Impact Strategy

• Guides statewide data, evaluation, and outcomes strategies. Leverages statewide data, evaluation findings, and program outcomes to strengthen decision-making and identify trends. Demonstrates impact, informs strategic investments and funding decisions, and communicates CA CASA's statewide impact.
• Uses data to supports impact storytelling, grant reporting, and organizational communications.
• Ensures lessons learned from local CASA programs are translated into statewide policy recommendations that strengthen outcomes for children and youth; and uses statewide program data, network feedback, and emerging trends to help inform legislative priorities, public policy recommendations, and systems change initiatives.

Staff Leadership & Team Development

• Supervises the Sr. Director of Program Operations and Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, and leads, mentors, and supports the entire program team while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Supports staff development, succession planning, and organizational leadership capacity amongst program team.
• Ensures accountability, communication, and alignment across the entire organization, and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, public policy, and/or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, child welfare, juvenile justice, public government or policy systems, or related fields, with 5+ years of senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading complex program initiatives and teams.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational development, governance, and capacity-building.
• Strong communication, facilitation, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with government and private sector grants, budgets, statewide initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience using data and outcomes to inform strategy and to communicate impact.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, culturally-responsive practices that strengthen outcomes for children, youth, volunteers, and local CASA programs.
• Ability to travel statewide throughout California.
• Experience with Court Appointed Special Advocate and/or Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) mission and organizations is a bonus.
• Experience with statewide associations or similar organizations is a bonus.
• Experience and track record of public policy or legislative advocacy is a bonus.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and quality assurance/improvement efforts is a bonus.

Compensation and Benefits

CA CASA operates remotely, with staff members working from different areas throughout California. We have a collaborative, mission-driven, and fast-paced environment that values innovation, partnership, collaboration, responsiveness, and continuous learning. This CPO position requires flexibility, strategic thinking, relationship-building, and the ability to navigate complex organizational and systems dynamics with professionalism and diplomacy.

A competitive compensation package is offered, with a salary in the range of $140,000 to $210,000 depending on experience, professional qualifications, and education. CA CASA staff work 100% remotely with no permanent physical office (office equipment provided). We are seeking a CPO candidate who resides in California or plans to do so.

CPO will be expected to attend meetings with staff, Board members, and stakeholders as well as participate in various business and social events. There will be occasional out-of-town overnight travel.

CPO will engage in intermittent physical activities, including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking, during working hours. It is anticipated the person may spend many hours each day seated at their home