The Chief Program Officer is accountable for ensuring exceptional operational performance and high-quality, person-centered services across all assigned programs. Position Summary
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for the operational leadership, quality, performance, and financial sustainability of The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region's program and clinical services. The CPO provides executive oversight for all DDA programs, related service lines, and monarc, LLC, ensuring exceptional, person-centered services that achieve meaningful outcomes while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory and funding requirements.
Working collaboratively with the President & CEO and Executive Leadership Team, the CPO leads operational execution, develops high-performing leaders, and ensures programs consistently deliver safe, high-quality, financially responsible services aligned with the organization's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
Executive Accountabilities
The Chief Program Officer is accountable for:
· Operational excellence across all assigned service lines.
· High-quality, person-centered services that achieve meaningful outcomes.
· Regulatory compliance, licensing, accreditation, and operational readiness.
· Quality assurance, risk management, and continuous improvement.
· Financial stewardship and sustainability of the program portfolio.
· Leadership development and succession planning within the program division.
· Successful implementation of strategic initiatives assigned to program operations.
· Building a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.
Essential Responsibilities
Executive Leadership
· Provide executive leadership and direction for all assigned program and clinical operations.
· Serve as a collaborative member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing program expertise to organizational decision-making.
· Translate organizational strategy into operational plans that achieve measurable results.
· Foster collaboration across departments to ensure seamless service delivery and an exceptional experience for individuals and families.
· Represent the organization with integrity and professionalism in relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, and other stakeholders.
Operational Leadership & Service Excellence
· Ensure operational consistency across all service lines through standardized practices, leadership accountability, and performance expectations.
· Foster a culture of person-centered excellence by ensuring services consistently reflect dignity, choice, inclusion, and exceptional outcomes.
· Establish and monitor operational performance indicators that improve service quality, client outcomes, workforce effectiveness, and organizational performance.
· Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
· Promote operational excellence by identifying opportunities to improve workflows, strengthen systems, and implement best practices.
· Utilize performance data, operational metrics, and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
· Ensure programs consistently deliver high-quality services while meeting operational and strategic objectives.
Program Operations
· Provide executive oversight of all DDA programs and assigned service lines, including monarc, LLC.
· Ensure programs operate in alignment with organizational values, person-centered practices, and established service standards.
· Lead the operational implementation and successful scaling of new services approved through the organization's strategic planning process.
· Develop, implement, and maintain operational policies and procedures that support effective, compliant service delivery.
· Ensure appropriate staffing structures, operational systems, and resources are in place to support organizational growth.
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
· Provide executive leadership for programmatic compliance, quality assurance, licensing, accreditation, and regulatory readiness across all assigned service lines.
· Ensure programs consistently meet all applicable federal, state, payer, licensing, accreditation, and funding requirements.
· Lead organizational readiness for audits, licensing reviews, accreditation activities, and regulatory inspections.
· Serve as the executive liaison with program regulatory agencies including DDA, MDH, and other oversight bodies related to program operations.
· Identify operational risks and implement strategies that strengthen quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
· Partner with Finance, Human Resources, and other executive leaders to support organizational compliance and operational effectiveness.
Financial Stewardship
· Develop and manage program budgets in collaboration with the Chief Financial & Compliance Officer.
· Ensure responsible stewardship of financial resources while maintaining exceptional service quality.
· Monitor operational and financial performance, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
· Recommend resource allocation strategies that support both organizational priorities and program outcomes.
Leadership & Talent Development
· Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing program leaders in collaboration with the Chief Human Resources Officer.
· Build leadership capacity through mentoring, succession planning, and professional development.
· Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and performance management practices throughout the program division.
· Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
Strategic Implementation
· Contribute program expertise to the organization's strategic planning process.
· Identify, develop, and support the implementation of innovative programs, services, and strategic partnerships that respond to the evolving needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, while advancing the organization’s mission, long-term growth, and strategic priorities.
· Lead implementation of Strategic Plan initiatives assigned to the program division.
· Evaluate emerging service needs and recommend operational opportunities that support organizational priorities.
· Collaborate with the Chief Strategy & Integration Officer and other executive leaders to ensure effective implementation of enterprise initiatives.
· Support organizational change management efforts affecting program operations.
External Leadership
· Develop and maintain strategic program partnerships that improve services and expand opportunities for individuals supported.
· Represent The Arc NCR in community collaborations, advisory groups, and professional organizations related to program services.
· Present program performance, outcomes, and recommendations to the President & CEO and Board of Directors as requested.
· Promote The Arc NCR as a leader in person-centered, innovative services.
Measures of Success
Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
· Programs consistently deliver high-quality, person-centered services that improve the lives and outcomes of the individuals we support.
· Program quality, licensing, accreditation, and regulatory compliance are maintained with successful audits and minimal deficiencies.
· Operational performance indicators demonstrate continuous improvement in quality, efficiency, safety, and service delivery.
· Program budgets are managed responsibly, achieving financial sustainability while maintaining exceptional service quality.
· Program leaders demonstrate strong engagement, accountability, and professional growth, supported by effective succession planning.
· Strategic initiatives assigned to the program division are implemented successfully and achieve intended outcomes.
· Individuals served, families, employees, and community partners report high levels of satisfaction and confidence in program services.
· A culture of operational excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement is evident throughout the program division.
Education & Experience
· Master's degree preferred in Human Services, Social Work, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
· Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in human services, healthcare, behavioral health, or related nonprofit organizations.
· Minimum of five years of executive or senior leadership experience overseeing multiple service lines.
· Experience leading complex operational environments with responsibility for quality, compliance, financial performance, and workforce leadership.
· Experience overseeing outpatient behavioral health or healthcare operations preferred.
· Demonstrated success leading organizational change, quality improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
Core Competencies
· Executive leadership
· Operational excellence
· Strategic execution
· Financial acumen
· Quality improvement
· Regulatory knowledge
· Leadership development
· Systems thinking
· Relationship building
· Collaboration
· Data-informed decision making
· Change leadership
· Exceptional communication skills
· Emotional intelligence
· Sound judgment
· Person-centered leadership
Work Location: In person
