Chief Programs Officer

This is an exempt, full-time position.

***Please include cover letter and salary requirements***

ORGANIZATION

Metro Housing| Boston is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually across 32 communities, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years' experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

MISSION

"We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security, and an improved quality of life."

OVERVIEW

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of all Metro Housing participant services and programs, assuring measurable outcomes that align with the organization's strategic plan. The CPO exercises functional supervision over

• the Director of Leased Housing (80 staff) and the Director of Inspections (17 staff)
• the Director of Financial Assistance (43 staff)
• the Director of Housing Supports (25 staff)
• the Director of Data, Policy, and Research (3 staff)

The CPO will work closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to implement Metro Housing's strategic vision, goals, and priorities. The CPO will set and measure service outcomes, while ensuring adherence to budgetary plans and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The CPO will act as critical thought partner to the Executive Director, will drive program performance, and provide strong leadership on cross organizational initiatives. This is a hybrid position where you will work a minimum of three (3) days per week in the office at 1411 Tremont Street Boston, MA. Hybrid work schedule may change and you will be notified by your supervisor.

SCOPE OF PROGRAMS

• The Leased Housing Department administers over 12,000 units of rental assistance vouchers, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, which are delivered through contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Leased Housing Department also administers economic mobility and self-sufficiency programs, collaborating with social service organizations to deliver job training, employment, and financial coaching to help voucher participants become more stable and less reliant on public assistance.

• The Inspections Department is responsible for ensuring that properties receiving subsidies through the Housing Choice Voucher program comply with HUD standards (HQS/INSPIRE).
• The Financial Assistance Department administers the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program which provides short term financial assistance to prevent or resolve homelessness, including rent relief, utility arrears assistance, and moving costs. The RAFT program at Metro Housing serves more than 9,000 households per year. The Financial Assistance Department also operates the Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC), colocation sites, and administers other assistance programs that are funded by the City of Boston and private philanthropic partners. The HCEC is the front door for Metro Housing programs and services and assists more than 11,000 households annually.
• The Housing Supports Department administers the HomeBASE program with a variety of partner agencies to provide families with alternatives to emergency shelter, to move families out of motels and into permanent housing, to provide flexible funds to prevent homelessness, and to provide stabilization services. In addition, the Housing Supports Department administers the Home and Healthy for Good program and Specialized Intensive Programs and Services. The Housing Supports Department supports more than 1,000 families currently.

REPORTS TO

Executive Director

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

Program Administration and Leadership

• Provide leadership on and be accountable for daily programmatic activities for the organization. This includes but is not limited to: supervision and support of appointed staff; partner with all levels of managers as needed to successfully meet organizational and participant needs; serve as the staff contact for external partners, acting as a first point of escalation for directors of programs.
• Provide excellent service to participants and property owners by ensuring that escalated issues are addressed promptly and fairly.
• Establish professional expectations and accountability within programs encouraging proactive solution-oriented behaviors that enable staff members to understand how their individual roles contribute to success.
• Establish and monitor clearly defined program objectives and outcomes to effectively meet and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for all programmatic departments.
• Work with appropriate team members to design and introduce performance-based metrics, encouraging fact-based decisions aimed at interpreting data that will highlight trends and uncover opportunities for growth and change.
• Create, review and/or approve contracts, grant agreements, real estate transactions, leases, and other documents which may have statutory or regulatory implications.
• Ensure policy, practices, and program performance are consistent with current state, federal, and industry regulations.
• Serve as point of contact and liaison for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the City of Boston's Mayor's Office of Housing, and other programmatic funders.

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Assist Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and members of Senior Leadership Team in the execution of a rigorous and participatory Strategic Planning process.
• Through the Strategic Plan, identify and achieve immediate and long-term goals for the organization including but not limited to: core business lines; participant service; operational excellence; internal culture; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and policy direction.
• Track and report on progress to achieving strategic goals at a regular cadence.
• Identify larger patterns and opportunities for programmatic and operational improvement.

Cross Organizational Leadership

• Provide leadership to continually promote and improve an integrated service model, building cross functional teams with clearly defined linkages between programs to improve customer service.
• Build strong internal communications across programs and other organizational units, such as Finance, IT services, Operations, Fundraising and Communications, and Legal.
• Proactively mediate internal conflicts and build a stronger team-based culture at the senior level.
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and program staff to create the annual budget, projecting staffing and operational needs.
• Partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer and Directors on personnel matters.
• Act as a liaison to Metro Housing's internal and outside counsel for programmatic legal issues.

Policy and Field Leadership

• Develop new program pilots and policy proposals that are directly informed by organizational and participant experience.
• Identify and respond to changes in the local, state, and federal fiscal and policy environment, suggesting areas where Metro Housing should take leadership and initiative.
• Serve as an active participant in policy and advocacy committees that are led by external partners, representing Metro Housing's perspective.

Other Responsibilities

• Act as the staff lead for the Program Development and Strategic Planning Committee of the Board; coordinate and facilitate meetings and follow up working closely with co-chairs
• Participate in Executive Committee, full Board, and other committee meetings.
• Uphold the values of Metro Housing CARE - Collaboration, Achievement, Respect, and Ethics, and encourage the proper culture and branding standards among programmatic teams.
• Present to external and internal audiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree preferred with over five years of supervisory experience.
• Exceptional leadership and management ability; demonstrated record of accomplishment in managing, coaching, and supporting a staff in a team-based, multi-cultural environment, with exceptional skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Superior analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, including a demonstrated ability to proactively identify and implement data-driven solutions that are creative, innovative, and flexible.
• Ability to manage a heavy workload, set attainable goals with understood timetables, appropriately delegate tasks while maintaining current understanding of each team's activities and issues.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook and familiarity with database management and utilization.
• Experience working as part of a leadership/management team to promote the goals of the organization.
• Highly skilled at listening to the perspectives of competing interests and making clear, well-informed decisions.
• Demonstrated understanding of non-profit budgeting and proven ability to manage in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Thorough understanding of and commitment to serving families who have extremely low incomes.

PREFERENCE GIVEN TO

• Candidates with a thorough understanding of federal and state rental assistance and homelessness prevention programs and experience working with federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials is preferred.
• Candidates with multilingual skills (verbal and written). We are seeking candidates that speak and write English and at least one of the following languages (for interpreting and translation): Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Toisanese, Haitian- Creole, and Spanish.
• Candidates who live within two miles of Metro Housing|Boston's headquarters at Roxbury Crossing.