Chief Program Officer Position Available In St. Louis, Missouri

Chief Program Officer 3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars St. Louis, MO The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key executive leader responsible for shaping and guiding the strategic direction of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund’s programmatic investments. As a member of the leadership team, the CPO focuses on ensuring the effective allocation of resources, strengthening internal systems, fostering external partnerships, and supporting efforts to advance equitable outcomes for children and families in St. Louis County. The CPO leads program strategy and ensures that grantmaking is driven by community needs, data, and equity. This position plays a key role in maintaining high standards of programmatic effectiveness, supporting advocacy efforts, and championing systems-level approaches that elevate CSF’s impact across the region. This position serves as the Fund’s public-facing program leader and plays a central role in elevating the organization’s voice and influence locally and regionally. Examples of Duties Executive Leadership & Organizational Support

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Board of Directors on strategic planning and organization-wide initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional or policy-related projects that support the mission and strategic direction of CSF.
• Foster a culture of accountability, equity, and continuous improvement within the Program division. S trategic Leadership, Systems Development & Advocacy
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director to develop and lead a long-term strategic vision for CSF’s programmatic investments and systems improvements.
• Champion cross-sector partnerships and systems-level strategies that improve outcomes for children and families.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to align program strategy with organizational priorities and operational capacity.
• Support and participate in policy-related discussions that align with CSF’s mission and values, helping shape a more responsive child-serving system. Grantmaking Strategy & Resource Allocation
• Lead the strategic planning and framework development for CSF’s grantmaking and funding priorities.
• Ensure allocations are responsive to community needs, informed by data, and aligned with CSF’s strategic goals.
• Partner with the Senior Program Officer to ensure effective design and execution of allocation processes, including timelines, criteria, and compliance. Supervision & Department Leadership
• Provide oversight and support to the Senior Program Officer, Program Officer – Special Projects, and School-Based Program Specialist.
• Ensure strong alignment between operational activities and CSF’s systems-level goals. Community Engagement & External Relat ions
• Represent CSF in select external partnerships, advocacy networks, and community conversations.
• Serve as a connector between community voices and CSF’s funding strategy, helping to shape responsive and equitable solutions.
• Promote trust-based engagement with key partners, including service providers, funders, and local agencies.

Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in social work, public administration, human services, or related field Ten years of nonprofit management or governmental management experience. Key Attributes & Qualities Deep understanding of political dynamics in both government and nonprofit settings, with the ability to navigate complex systems, build alliances, and influence decision-making. Skilled at balancing competing interests while maintaining strong relationships with policymakers, service providers, and community partners. Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, prioritize effectively, and distinguish sensitive from non-essential information. High emotional intelligence—demonstrates empathy, stays composed under pressure, and fosters positive, professional interactions. Adaptable and flexible, able to respond to changing priorities and challenges. Proven project management skills—able to lead multiple initiatives, manage timelines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to diverse audiences. Works well independently and in teams, showing initiative, collaboration, and a commitment to a supportive work environment. Provides thoughtful, constructive feedback to support professional growth, encourage accountability, and promote continuous improvement. Willing to attend occasional evening and weekend events St. Louis County offers its employees many excellent benefits with paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays. Employees hired for full time employment will participate in the St. Louis County retirement plan where they contribute 4% of their salary to the defined benefit plan with vesting after 7 years.

Other benefits include:

paid life insurance, a credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short and long term disability insurance. In addition to these benefits, as of January 1, 2023, St. Louis County approved up to 480 hours of paid parental leave for eligible employees welcoming new children, either by birth or adoption. The employee can also take up to 80 hours of leave for prenatal care and up to 80 hours for care of the child within the first year.