Chief Program Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Agency: Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico

Job Title: Chief Program Officer

Location: New Mexico

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Direct Reports: 5-7

About Us

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship. We believe every child deserves a champion. Our programs connect caring adult and teen mentors with young people to ignite their potential, creating meaningful, life-changing relationships in schools and community spaces across the state.

Position Summary

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) provides visionary, executive-level leadership for all mentoring programs statewide. This role is responsible for program strategy, quality, compliance, innovation, and measurable impact. The CPO ensures that all mentoring initiatives align with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) national standards and the organization’s mission.

The CPO leads statewide program expansion, strengthens community partnerships, oversees program staff, and ensures high-quality match experiences for youth and volunteers. Working closely with the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors, the CPO drives program growth, recruitment strategies, operational excellence, and data-driven decision making to maximize outcomes for New Mexico youth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Vision

• Develop and execute statewide program strategies to increase the number of youth served and matched.
• Ensure alignment with BBBSA national standards, evidence-based practices, and organizational priorities.
• Lead long-term planning to strengthen statewide program capacity, sustainability, and innovation.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, mentor recruitment, and youth enrollment while prioritizing child safety.
• Strategize with executive leadership and the Board to mitigate risk, maximize efficiencies, and ensure gold-standard programming.

Program Development, Innovation & Operations

• Lead the development, enhancement, and implementation of mentoring models, including site-based and community-based programs.
• Oversee statewide program documentation, policies, procedures, and service delivery standards.
• Implement pilot projects and innovative approaches to expand reach and impact.
• Manage program budgets and resource allocation to support high-quality operations.
• Serve on internal committees to strengthen team collaboration, customer satisfaction, and mission outcomes.
• Engage with BBBS sister agencies and youth-serving partners to share best practices and advance the mentoring field.

Evaluation, Data Analysis & Reporting

• Design and oversee evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness and youth outcomes.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to track KPIs and guide continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports for internal leadership, funders, marketing, and external stakeholders.
• Support grant writing, grant management, and reporting in collaboration with Program Directors.
• Use data insights to inform strategic decisions and resource allocation.

Quality Assurance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to child safety standards and all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee program audits, quality assurance processes, and risk management protocols.
• Maintain consistent program delivery and compliance across all regional offices.
• Collaborate with executive staff to ensure high-quality customer service and safe, effective match experiences.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Serve as a statewide thought leader and spokesperson for program initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with schools, municipalities, community centers, and youth-serving organizations.
• Represent the organization at community events, meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Collaborate with marketing and outreach teams to promote programs and strengthen visibility.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise and support Program Directors and statewide program staff.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and performance evaluations based on established metrics.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, mission-driven team culture.
• Develop clear expectations for staffing roles and responsibilities.
• Partner with HR and executive leadership to implement training and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, social services, youth development, or related fields.
• Proven experience in program management, evaluation, and multi site oversight preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Education, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Additional professional experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Proficiency with database systems and program reporting tools.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship building abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and drive organizational change.
• Ability to represent the agency professionally at all levels.

Additional Requirements

• Regular travel throughout the state for site visits, community partnerships, and regional support.

ADA Specifications

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and office equipment.
• Close vision required for reading and computer work.
• Clear verbal communication in person and via phone/video.
• Frequent statewide travel.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• Professional office setting with regular travel for meetings, events, and partner engagement.
• Frequent collaboration with internal teams, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Use of standard office equipment including computer/laptop, phone, copier, and scanner.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non disqualifying physical or mental disability.

Job Responsibilities Note

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities, and competencies necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico may revise job duties with or without prior notice based on organizational needs.