About Bethel
Bethel New Life is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Formed by a small Lutheran church on the West Side of Chicago in response to the devastation and disinvestment that followed the civil rights riots of the late 1960s, Bethel New Life has been in the business of creating social impact and community change for more than three decades.
Bethel New Life operates as a new breed of community investment organization on Chicago’s West Side which includes Chicago’s Austin, West and East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park and North Lawndale communities. We are focused on creating opportunities to bring individuals and families out of poverty and bringing about system and policy changes necessary to lift an entire community out of poverty. We invest in people who are ready to invest in themselves and we impact the systems and policies that dampen the human spirit and prevent communities from thriving. We have operationalized our mission and strategy to bring about community transformation and have entitled it “West Side Forward” (www.westsideforward.org).
Position Description
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will report directly to the CEO, and is responsible for ensuring the high-quality implementation, evaluation, delivery, outcomes, impact and sustainability of all Bethel programs. The CPO is responsible for all programs budget management, staff supervision and compliance with appropriate program standards and contract requirements. The CPO, who through dynamic leadership, remains current with best practices, industry trends and provides internal and external direction within our organization and with local, regional, state and federal agencies and stakeholders. The CPO will define objectives, priorities and deadlines, and assist employees to enhance their leadership and positive contributions to the organization. The CPO will work to optimize the impact of Bethel’s strategic investments and programs across the breadth of the organization. In addition, the CPO serves as a key member of the executive team and works with the CEO, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Policy and Research Officer to lead and guide the organization toward impact, execution of its strategy and sustainability.
Responsibilities
Provides leadership and management to ensure the effective, quality and timely delivery of all Bethel New Life programs.
Lead the development of program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for growth. Work collaboratively with the Chief Policy and Research Officer to measure program impact.
Oversees programmatic compliance to budget and other financial/enrollment/quality/outcome criteria.
Maintains and monitors program expenditures to accommodate budgetary constraints and allocations.
Develop robust management systems and tools to enhance efficiencies and accountability throughout the program structure.
Initiates program improvements to maintain and build demand for programs.
Ensures the responsibilities, authorities and accountabilities of all direct reports.
Represents the organization in meetings and public forums as appropriate. Represents the organization to partners and in partnership consortia.
Develop new and unique ways to improve the efficiency of program operations across the organization.
Support the Organization’s public advocacy and public policy initiatives.
Participates in internal and external organization meetings and trainings as directed by the CEO.
Informs and enforces agency policies and procedures that support professional development to ensure adequate employee development and provide for capable management succession.
Functions as a contributing member of BNL’s executive team in providing overall leadership and guidance to the organization. Works collaboratively with other members of the executive team.
Interfaces with Bethel board members as directed by the CEO.
Provide strategic direction for improvement, refinement and expansion of the current program portfolio considering innovation in the major program areas.
Complete an annual comprehensive program plan outlining key benchmarks.
Where appropriate, work with the Chief Innovation Officer to incubate and pilot programs tracking for efficacies and other key metrics.
Implement tools and standards that will foster alignment with best practices in all program areas.
Analyze program data (observations, enrollment, evaluations, and attendance) and direct implementation plans to improve quality based on data.
Monitor progress to ensure continuous quality improvements and corrective action processes.
Work closely with Bethel leadership to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of the organization and its programming.
Use logic models for developing new programs, recommending new opportunities, and evaluating outcomes.
Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with community and regional leaders via community collective impact initiatives and events.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Manages 5+ employees. Is responsible for overall direction, coordination and evaluation of all Bethel programs. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with BNL policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; reward and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, and individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Leadership
Highly effective leadership; demonstrates a fundamental respect for the dignity of others. Works collegially and is a proven team builder. Inclined to coach and teach in order to improve knowledge and ability of others, but holds people accountable for results.
Able to lead a team in managing multiple and often simultaneous tasks and in creating a work environment recognized for a high level of organization, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, accuracy and results.
Politically astute and tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.
Capacity to work effectively as a member of an executive leadership team.
A highly effective and skilled communicator; a good listener; actively seeks opinions of others in decision-making; consultative; able to inspire confidence and trust.
Ability to motivate and inspire others.
Ability to balance a creative approach with the need to develop and follow a plan.
Recognized as a developer of people, someone who cultivates teamwork as a fundamental organizational practice.
Strong emotional intelligence to be able to handle pressure and respond to needs of others under pressure.
Strong cultural competence; respectful of the faith-based roots of Bethel’s donor network; ability to work effectively with the cultural mix of the community and organization.
Program Implementation/Design/Execution
Understand and values quality improvement; applies managerial and technical skills to measure and improve efficiency and effectiveness and ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual obligations. Able to effectively address overlapping projects and deadlines. Adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, crisis, or changing priorities.
Strong program design, development and execution skills.
Innovation
An innovator, capable of creating or seizing opportunities to improve service effectiveness and client outcomes and build strategic partnerships with other organizations and business.
Ability to conduct research, learn from others, and engage with information to bring about creative solutions and new ideas.
Business Acumen
Business “literate,” understands financial reports, applies data to assess business effectiveness and efficiency and acts in a fiscally responsible manner.
Education and Experience
Preferred:
Master’s Degree in Business, Education, Non Profit Management, Public Policy and/or related field.
At least 5 years in a senior managerial or leadership role with direct responsibility for licensure or regulatory compliance, cross functionality of teams, and budget control.
10 – 15 years’ experience in the delivery of programs in the field of business development, workforce development, education, community development or social services.
Bethel New Life provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
How to apply
Email your cover letter, resume/CV and salary requirements to careers@bethelnewlife.org or fax to 773.473.7890.