Chief Program Officer

Description:
JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Program Officer provides strategic oversight and guidance to the ACLU-VA’s legal, policy, and community organizing programs. The CPO is responsible for assuring that the programs are integrated with each other, focused on the organization’s strategic goals, and that those programs operationalize racial equity, improve the lives and protect the civil liberties of people in Virginia. The CPO is strategic, collaborative, innovative, effective, and committed to the mission, vision, and values of the ACLU-VA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy

Help the Executive Director maintain the organization’s focus on its strategic goals so that the ACLU-VA’s activities and resources effectively advance the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

Manage and supervise the directors of the legal, policy, and community organizing programs, and assure coordination and integration among the three programs.

Report regularly to the Executive Director on the performance of the organization’s programs and recommend improvements in the programs as needed.

Assist the Executive Director and other senior management in developing new initiatives, long-term goals, and operating plans to advance civil liberties, equity and racial justice.

Leadership and Vision

Work with the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer to recruit, develop, and retain qualified program staff.

Assure that the organization’s programs are characterized by excellence and a culture of anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that all programs operate according to contract and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest standards of ethics and accountability.

Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer to develop content highlighting ACLU-VA’s programs and initiatives in a variety of communications mediums for members, donors, supporters and internal communications with board and staff.

Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to organize and manage program activities that maximize opportunities for philanthropic support.

Contribute to a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a matter that fosters good relationships with clients, staff, volunteers, and interns.

Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

Strengthen the reach, impact, and effectiveness of ACLU-VA’s programs.

Encourage and nurture participation by community members and groups in and support of the organization’s programs.

Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing tools and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s programs and identify innovative methods to share that impact with a variety of audiences.

Ensure that the organization fulfills its obligations to funders and sponsors of programs and communicate progress and challenges back to the Chief Development Officer.

Help to manage an integrated strategic plan for successful implementation of our programmatic goals and a process for monitoring impact.

Communicate with our Communications and Development teams to ensure that they are well versed in our progress and challenges.

Resources, Operations, and Infrastructure

Assist in developing and using budgets and other reporting systems to ensure effective operation of the organization’s programs.

Develop and maintain information systems and other critical aspects of infrastructure that support and improve delivery of programs.

General Management

Serve on the organization’s senior leadership team.

Work with the Executive Director to provide the board with regular, timely, and accurate information.

Present regular program updates to the Executive Director.

In consultation with the Executive Director, manage senior program staff and participate in all program-staff personnel issues.

Foster a culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth and that creates and maintains trusting, respectful relationships.

Salary Range: $106,400 to $175,693.00. Expected starting salary up to mid-range.

. Requirements:
Minimum Requirements

D. from an accredited law school.

Experience in delegating and supervising work effectively.

Experience utilizing different strategies to achieve goals, ideally including policy advocacy, litigation, and community organizing.

Willingness and ability to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and/or more than 40 hours a week, as necessary.

Willingness and ability to travel throughout Virginia, and occasionally to other states for conferences and training.

A commitment to the mission and values of the ACLU of Virginia, particularly racial justice.

A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Familiarity with office technology and information systems, including databases, case management software, digital legal research sources, online communications, and word processing.

Essential Skills & Abilities

Demonstrated experience working with individuals and communities directly impacted by racial injustice.

Ability to provide clear direction, set priorities, meet deadlines, and hold staff accountable to deadlines on concurrent projects.

Ability to provide meaningful and critical feedback on planning and execution of programs. Strong self-motivation and capacity to handle numerous deadlines and work in a fast-paced, stressful environment.

Excellent writing, research, analytical, and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work competently and effectively under pressure.

Ability to think critically and solve complex problems.

Ability to work independently and to take initiative.

A commitment to the highest ethical standards and the values of the ACLU of Virginia.

Desirable Experience, Skills & Abilities

Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties issues, and criminal legal reform matters.

Leadership or supervisory experience in the community, non-profit, or legal fields.

Experience working at an organization with an integrated advocacy model where legal, policy, and community engagement are used collaboratively and cohesively to achieve results.

Ability to communicate in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic, ASL or other language used by traditionally marginalized communities across Virginia.