POSITION SPECIFICATION
Chief Program Officer
New York, NY
ABOUT LSA FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE
LSA Family Health Service (“LSA”), founded by the Little Sisters of the Assumption, strengthens and empowers vulnerable families and children by meeting their basic needs. Since 1958, LSA has been in East Harlem supporting thousands of diverse and immigrant families striving to build better lives. LSA provides families with the most critical resources they need – food, clothing, education, a safe home, and advocacy services. At the heart of LSA’s mission is a commitment to mutuality, dignity, and service, welcoming and supporting families of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Today, with approximately a $4M budget and a staff of nearly 30, LSA stands alongside families in crisis to develop lasting solutions, harnessing the power of its resources, partnerships, and collective action. We believe by supporting and empowering families, our entire community will thrive.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
LSA is seeking a Chief Program Officer (“CPO”) to lead and guide a diverse and evolving portfolio of programs serving children, adults, and families in East Harlem. Reporting to the CEO and leading LSA’s program directors and project leads, the CPO will bring programs together around a shared vision for holistic service delivery, with the social determinants of health serving as a central thread across LSA’s work. This leader will strengthen coordination and program quality while preserving the flexibility, responsiveness, and community-centered approach that define LSA.
The CPO will join LSA at an exciting moment of growth and evolution. Building on a strong foundation, this leader will help shape LSA’s next chapter by developing its teams, expanding program capacity, and strengthening the structure needed for continued impact. LSA welcomes leaders from all backgrounds who connect with its mission and approach to service. Thoughtful, collaborative, and people-centered, the CPO will build trust across the organization while helping LSA grow sustainably.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership & Alignment
- Partner closely with the CEO as a trusted thought partner, translating LSA’s vision for community-building and family empowerment into clear priorities, responsibilities, and measurable and meaningful results.
- Exercise sound judgment and initiative, moving priorities forward while collaborating with the CEO and other leaders on key decisions.
- Work with LSA's leadership team to align programs around its core focus on health in the community, connecting services and wraparound supports into a cohesive approach for families.
- Help shape and advance LSA's programmatic vision, including the planned Nutritional Health and Well-being Center and expanded older adult services.
Team & Program Management
- Lead, develop, and mentor program leaders and staff with a people-centered approach that builds trust, accountability, collaboration, and strong management practices.
- Guide program design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement across a fluid, multi-service environment, using data, technology, and performance measures to assess program effectiveness and strengthen outcomes.
- Promote coordination and accountability across programs by establishing clear roles, goals, and expectations for deliverables and timelines, while preserving LSA’s collaborative culture.
Operations & Community Partnerships
- Oversee program budgets, contracts, grants, compliance, reporting, and resource allocation, working closely with finance and program leaders to support effective and sustainable services.
- Partner with the development team and external stakeholders to help secure resources and partnerships that advance LSA's health and community goals.
- Engage volunteers, community organizations, and other partners as meaningful extensions of LSA's program capacity and community presence.
ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a seasoned, people-centered program leader who excels at managing teams and building trust and accountability. They will bring the clarity and direction needed to align programs around a shared vision. A strong listener and relationship builder, they will have a deep commitment to East Harlem and the families and communities LSA serves.
Key professional qualifications include:
· Leadership & Experience: 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in human services or a related field; experience in a multi-service environment is preferred.
· Program Leadership: Experience driving teams toward shared goals, strengthening coordination, and translating priorities into effective action.
· Team Management: An accessible manager who provides clear direction, develops and supports staff, and fosters accountability, collaboration, and growth.
· Inclusive & People-Centered Leadership: An emotionally intelligent and thoughtful leader with a proven ability to build trust, motivate diverse teams, and listen and learn.
· Program Quality, Data & Technology: Experience with program design, implementation, and evaluation, with the ability to use data and technology to assess program quality, measure outcomes and impact, and identify opportunities for improvement.
· Financial & Resource Stewardship: Strong financial literacy and experience managing program budgets, forecasting, grants, resource allocation, contract performance, and reporting, with the ability to balance program priorities with financial realities.
· Community Engagement: Commitment to grassroots community organizing, with the ability to engage volunteers and community partners as meaningful extensions of LSA's program capacity.
· Mission Alignment: Deep passion for culturally responsive, community-centered service, family empowerment, and the social determinants of health.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or social work background preferred.
LANGUAGE: Oral Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred.
LOCATION: Based in person at LSA Family Health Service, 333 East 115th Street, New York, NY.
COMPENSATION: Salary range is $140,000 to $155,000, commensurate with experience.
TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter in confidence.
LSA Family Health Service provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.