Chief Program Officer

Unity Care; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Care is seeking a Chief Program Officer to lead the agency's programmatic operations across its Five Pillars of Success—Housing, Education, Employment, Well-Being, and Unconditional Care. You will report to the Founder and guide strategy, quality, and accountability.

You will build strong partnerships with community partners and funders, oversee multi-site programs, ensure trauma-informed practices, and drive continuous improvement aligned with the mission.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in social services or related fields.
• Experience overseeing comprehensive, multi-site or multi-program service delivery.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with funders, public agencies, and community leaders.
• Experience managing budgets of $10 million or more.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for all program operations in alignment with the agency’s mission, strategic plan, and contractual obligations.
• Ensure programs are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based across all areas.
• Lead development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of program services.
• Cultivate relationships with community partners, funders, public agencies, and stakeholders to support growth.
• Monitor program outcomes with KPIs and ensure fiscal accountability and quality service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Partner development

Program management

Trauma-informed practices

Cultural responsiveness

Stakeholder engagement

Servant leadership

Change management

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration / Public Administration / Public Health / Social Work / Nonprofit Management

Job description

Unity Care is a COA-accredited 501(c)3 organization with a 33-year track record of helping young adults from foster care avoid homelessness and build economic mobility as they transition from foster care into adulthood. Unity Care helps these young adults focus on their strengths, build self-confidence, and finally thrive.

Position Summary

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic and operational leadership for all programmatic functions across the agency. Reporting directly to the Founder, the CPO is responsible for overseeing the delivery, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement of services across Unity Care’s Five Pillars of Success: Housing, Education, Employment, Well-Being, and Unconditional Care.

This role leads a team of program leaders to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, outcome-driven, and aligned with the agency’s mission, strategic plan, contractual requirements, and performance objectives. The CPO also plays a critical role in cultivating and sustaining relationships with community partners, funders, public agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in social services, behavioral health, youth services, housing, or related human services fields, including senior-level administrative or supervisory leadership experience such as COO, CPO, Executive Director, or Program Services Director.
• Demonstrated success overseeing comprehensive, multi-site, or multi-program service delivery in community-based, transitional housing, or similar human services environments.
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams serving at-risk youth, families, and system-involved populations.
• Demonstrated ability to build, sustain, and expand partnerships with community leaders, public agencies, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing budgets of $10 million or more.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills with a track record of ethical, mission-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to servant leadership, collaboration, and accountability.
• Innovative, self-directed, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a diverse executive team.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to leverage team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrated passion for Unity Care’s mission, vision, and values.

Preferred

• Experience with Enhanced Care Management (ECM) programs and related service models.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for all programmatic operations in alignment with the agency’s mission, strategic plan, and contractual obligations.
• Ensure that all programs are responsive to participant needs, community trends, regulatory requirements, and funder expectations.
• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of program services and supports.
• Ensure culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practices are embedded across all program areas.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, funders, public agencies, and other stakeholders to support collaboration and program growth.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and preparation for annual program audits, site reviews, and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure that program outcomes are achieved, documented, and aligned with the agency’s Five Pillars of Success.
• Provide leadership and supervision consistent with the agency’s strength-based, servant leadership, and participatory management philosophy.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and outcome metrics to monitor program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor systems, tools, and practices that improve organizational efficiency and accountability, including project management tools, planning systems, and benchmarking processes.
• Oversee the day-to-day operational coordination of ongoing programs, projects, and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of program quality assurance standards in compliance with all regulatory and agency requirements.
• Oversee the successful implementation of new contracts, grants, and program initiatives.
• Monitor budgets, funding requirements, and contract performance to ensure fiscal accountability, revenue optimization, and high-quality service delivery.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and direction to additional functional areas or administrative support departments as assigned by the CEO.
• Represent the agency at inter-agency, community, county, city, state, and federal levels as appropriate or as delegated by the CEO.
• Attend Board of Directors meetings as needed and provide executive summaries regarding program development, performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Actively participate in the annual budgeting process and monthly agency-wide budget reviews.
• Cultivate and strengthen external relationships that enhance Unity Care’s visibility, partnerships, and community impact.
• Other duties as assigned.

Unity Care Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Unity Care Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.