Chief Program Officer

Innocence Project; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Innocence Project seeks a Chief Program Officer, Exoneration Strategy & Support to lead post-conviction litigation, social work services, intake and case evaluation, and related program functions.

The CPO will oversee staff, ensure trauma-informed, client-centered representation, drive strategic planning, report to senior leadership and the Board, and promote an inclusive workplace culture across all teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee core program areas including post-conviction litigation, special litigation, social work services, and intake and case evaluation.
• Lead teams, ensure alignment, high performance, and achievement of departmental objectives.
• Provide regular progress reporting to senior leadership and the Board; model inclusive, trauma-informed workplace culture.

Job description

The client is seeking a Chief Program Officer, Exoneration Strategy & Support to provide oversight, management, and supervision of core program areas, including post-conviction litigation, special litigation, social work services, and intake and case evaluation. In this role, the Chief Program Officer will help ensure effective delivery of pro-bono legal representation and trauma-informed support for individuals wrongfully convicted, as well as review and analyze incoming requests to identify legally viable paths to prove innocence. The position serves as a primary thought partner to the teams led and is responsible for maintaining alignment, focus, motivation, and overall performance across each area.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Program Officer will contribute to The client's overall direction, strategy, and organizational health. Responsibilities include effectively managing department staff to support alignment and high performance, contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and decision-making, and achieving departmental objectives while regularly reporting on progress and outcomes to senior leadership and the Board. The role emphasizes modeling and reinforcing an inclusive and respectful workplace culture and encouraging the same behaviors across supervised staff.

The Chief Program Officer reports to the Executive Director and works closely with other Senior Leadership Team members to advance The client's vision, strategy, goals, integration, and cohesion. The position requires a consistent commitment to The client's values of accountability, collaboration, empathy and compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness, along with respect for diverse perspectives and lived experiences. The role will support coordinated leadership across functions to help sustain program effectiveness and organizational impact.