Chief Program Officer

JCC Association of North America; Town of Vestal (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Community Center of Binghamton seeks a Chief Program Officer to guide its core programs across Early Childhood, Youth & Family, Arts & Culture, and Camp. You will join the executive team to lead a diverse leadership group and shape strategic direction for the next chapter of the organization.

Reporting to the CEO, you will coach directors, grow programs, secure partnerships, and ensure high-quality experiences for children, families, and the broader community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred in nonprofit mgmt, education, business, recreation, or related field.
• 7+ years progressive leadership experience overseeing multiple departments in nonprofit/educational settings.
• Proven track record of leading teams, managing budgets, developing impactful programs, and driving results.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for core program areas: Early Childhood, Youth & Family, Arts & Culture, and Camp.
• Lead and develop a team of directors, managers, coordinators, and 100+ part-time staff through coaching and succession planning.
• Monitor financial performance, identify efficiencies, and allocate resources to maximize impact.
• Collaborate with departments to deliver exceptional member experiences and advance priorities.
• Use data and metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and guide improvements.
• Oversee budgets with directors during development and management processes.
• Serve as a visible ambassador, cultivating partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team development

Budget management

Nonprofit management

Executive leadership

Communication skills

Risk management

Community engagement

Licensing & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in nonprofit management, education, business administration, recreation, or related field

Job description

Location and Job Title:

Chief Program Officer
JCC of Binghamton, NY
500 Clubhouse Rd
Vestal, NY 13850

Principal Responsibilities:

Chief Program Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports: Early Childhood Director, Youth Director, Camp Director, and Arts & Culture Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Lead Our Next Century

As the Jewish Community Center of Binghamton prepares to celebrate its Centennial Anniversary in 2027, we are seeking an innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Program Officer (CPO) to help shape our next century of impact. Joining our executive leadership team, you'll provide strategic leadership for our Early Childhood, Youth & Family, Arts & Culture and Camp programs while guiding an exceptional team of directors whose tenure spans one to eighteen years. This is a rare opportunity to build upon a century of service by developing outstanding leaders, driving innovation, strengthening community partnerships, and creating exceptional experiences for children, families, and the broader community. If you're energized by developing people, leading strategy, and leaving a legacy, we invite you to help write the next chapter of the Binghamton JCC.

What you'll do:

Executive Leadership:

Provide strategic leadership for the JCC's core program areas, including Early Childhood, Youth & Family, Arts & Culture, and Camp.

Lead and develop a team of directors, managers, coordinators, and more than 100 part-time staff through coaching, accountability, professional development, and succession planning.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, exceptional service, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor financial performance, identify operational efficiencies, and strategically allocate resources to maximize organizational impact.
• Collaborate with Membership, Marketing, Development, Finance, Facilities, Health & Wellness, and other departments to deliver an exceptional member experience and advance organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, increased participation, member engagement, and long-term sustainability.

Program Strategy and Excellence:

Lead the vision, planning, growth, and continuous improvement of programs across the organization.

Partner with directors to identify emerging community needs, develop innovative programming, and ensure a cohesive, mission-driven experience.

Establish standards of excellence while ensuring compliance with licensing, accreditation, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Use data, participant feedback, and performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Operational & Fiscal Leadership:

Provide strategic oversight of departmental budgets by partnering with directors throughout the budget development and management process.

Ensure fiscal stewardship, organizational alignment, and accountability across program areas.

Organizational Leadership & Community Engagement

Serve as a visible ambassador for the JCC, cultivating partnerships with community organizations, schools, businesses, funders, and key stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

Who You Are:

You are a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven leader who inspires high-performing teams and creates exceptional community experiences.

• You are an empowering coach who develops leaders, fosters accountability and innovation, and builds strong relationships across departments and throughout the community.
• You balance big-picture thinking with operational excellence and approach challenges with confidence, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• You hold a bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred) in nonprofit management, education, business administration, recreation, or a related field.
• You bring at least seven years of progressive leadership experience overseeing multiple departments or functional areas within a nonprofit, educational, youth development, recreation, or community-based organization.
• You have a proven track record of leading teams, managing budgets, developing impactful programs, and driving organizational results.
• You communicate effectively, build meaningful relationships, and excel at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• You understand the importance of compliance, safety, and risk management in youth-serving organizations.
• You are passionate about strengthening communities and committed to advancing the mission and values of the Jewish Community Center of Binghamton.
• Exceptional Team: Lead a talented team of directors with tenures ranging from one to eighteen years who are passionate about their work and eager to continue growing together.
• Executive Leadership: Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, influencing organizational strategy, culture, and long-term success.
• Professional Growth: Invest in your leadership journey through ongoing professional development, networking, and opportunities to drive innovation.
• Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package while building a meaningful career with an organization that values its people and mission.

Why Join Us:

Lead with Purpose: Shape the future of one of the region's premier nonprofit organizations and make a lasting impact on children, families, and the broader community.

• Exceptional Team: Lead a talented team of directors with tenures ranging from one to eighteen years who are passionate about their work and eager to continue growing together.
• Executive Leadership: Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, influencing organizational strategy, culture, and long-term success.
• Professional Growth: Invest in your leadership journey through ongoing professional development, networking, and opportunities to drive innovation.
• Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package while building a meaningful career with an organization that values its people and mission.

Salary:

$85,000 - $95,000

Agency Information:

Since its inception in 1927, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Binghamton, NY has grown to become an essential part of the Broome County community. As a full-service, non-profit organization, the JCC provides educational, cultural, recreational, and physical fitness programs to enhance the quality of life for all ages, from infants to senior citizens. As a non-sectarian United Way partner, the Center welcomes participants regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or ability to pay.

The JCC's facility houses a natatorium with a 2250 sq. ft. pool, gymnasium, small fitness center, men's and women's health clubs, steam, sauna, a fitness loft with spin bikes and Pilates reformers, stage, auditorium, and more. Over 200 children are served daily at our award-winning Early Childhood Center. Our year-round educational childcare includes UPK, after-school program, summer camp, and youth sports offerings.

Our 60,000 square foot facility sits on 8 acres of land that features outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts, a pavilion, nature preserve, soccer field, and three age-appropriate playground facilities.