Chief Programs Officer

Description

Company Overview

For more than 50 years, Insight Housing (formerly, Berkeley Food & Housing Project) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven counties in the bay area - Alameda County, San Francisco County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated to our mission of ensuring everyone in our community has a home through supportive, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions.

Position Summary

The Chief Programs Officer (CPO) is a key strategic partner to the CEO and a core member of the executive leadership team. This role provides vision, leadership, and accountability for all of Insight Housing's programs ensuring alignment with the organization's mission to end homelessness through housing, services, and advocacy.

The CPO will lead the growth, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality, culturally responsive programs across multiple counties. They will oversee emergency shelter, outreach, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and other supportive service initiatives. The CPO is responsible for program performance, staff development, service integration, compliance, and outcome measurement. The CPO will lead the strategic vision of Insight as it relates to programs, expanding our reach throughout the state with innovation and consistent quality. They will also play a critical role in supporting Insight Housing's growing real estate portfolio and aligning that portfolio with program needs and advocacy efforts.

The ideal candidate brings a strong equity lens, deep knowledge of homelessness systems of care, and experience managing complex, multi-site programs in a high-growth nonprofit environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy & Leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership team to refine and implement the strategic plan and operational goals.
• Provide executive leadership for all service programs, ensuring fidelity to mission, funder requirements, and best practices.
• Serve as a thought leader on systems change, housing justice, and human-centered program design.
• Represent Insight Housing externally with funders, developers, public agencies, coalitions, and community stakeholders.
• Lead organizational responses to public health crises, extreme weather, or emergency housing needs.

Program Design, Execution & Integration

• Directly oversee a wide range of social service programs, ensuring integration of Insight Housing's values, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices.
• Constantly assess community needs and lead the development of new programs to meet emerging gaps and funding opportunities.
• Ensure equity, dignity, and participant voices are embedded into all service models, policies, and performance targets.

Performance, Evaluation & Compliance

• Champion a culture of data-informed learning, accountability, and continuous improvement across all programs.
• Oversee program evaluation, data collection, participant satisfaction strategies, and real-time performance dashboards.
• Ensure all programs meet or exceed contractual goals, grant deliverables, and regulatory requirements, including CARF and funder audits.
• Develop and implement feedback loops and co-design strategies with participants to improve services and inform policy advocacy.

Staff Development & Culture

• Provide inspirational leadership to direct reports and program staff, supporting professional development, coaching, and succession planning.
• Promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture that centers lived experience and community wisdom.
• Implement systems of performance management that align staff development with program outcomes and strategic goals.
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration to ensure operational alignment across Housing, Finance, HR, and Development teams.

Budget & Resource Stewardship

• Partner with the Finance team on annual program budgeting, ongoing financial monitoring, and cost allocation planning.
• Ensure programs operate within budget and identify opportunities for increased efficiency or new funding sources.
• Support philanthropic efforts through program presentations, site visits, proposal review, and storytelling that highlights program impact.

Administrative

• Drive own or agency vehicle to the field and to other program sites, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment consistent with agency's health and safety practices.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Complete and submit own timesheets and approve staff timesheet in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work within the framework of Insight Housing's Code of Conduct.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Services, Public Administration, or related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in social services, including program operations, compliance, and cross-functional strategy.
• Deep understanding of homelessness systems of care, housing-first models, and the intersection of housing and health.
• Demonstrated success designing and scaling programs across multiple sites and service models.
• Commitment to racial equity, housing justice, and advancing leadership by individuals with lived experience.
• Strong knowledge of CARF, HMIS, Medi-Cal billing, and government-funded service systems.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and strategic planning skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and data/reporting tools; familiarity with HMIS and CRM platforms required.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage crises, and build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a can do and flexible attitude.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude and appearance at all times.

Special Requirements

• This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies.
• Must be able to receive and maintain criminal and credit records clearance.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, talk, hear, and see clearly.
• May be occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• May be required to lift or move up to 10 lbs.