Building on a proud history of serving at-risk Chicago children for more than 90 years, Youth Guidance (YG) is strategically expanding its unique, individualized school-based programs proven to help all students realize their full potential and graduate with a meaningful plan for successfully managing life. YG’s programs are developed to meet students where they are and engage them in a collaborative, relationship-driven process to overcome obstacles. They enable youth to focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.

Particularly in low-income communities, too many young people don’t have access to the opportunities, tools or support they need to thrive. The struggles that young people face outside of the classroom, including incarceration of family members, violence and trauma, economic and housing instability, directly impact their ability to focus and learn in school. Youth Guidance offers programs in more than 80 of the most challenged schools across Chicago that guide young people through their education and set them on a path toward a healthy and successful life.

At this exciting moment in its history, Youth Guidance is poised to emerge as a national model for a school-based, holistic approach to helping students build a foundation for lifelong opportunity and success. In collaboration with Youth Guidance’s Board, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) will help to align future growth, evolution, and replication of evidence-based programming towards an integrated vision; work to shape policy priorities; monitor relevant shifts in the regional and national landscape; and develop systems and relationships to ensure YG is positioned to leverage opportunities to expand its reach and impact. The CPO will oversee all programs, articulating and implementing the strategic vision of the organization and evaluating the effectiveness of programs to improve the lives of youth. S/he will work collaboratively with the Chief Strategy Officer, as well as the development and finance teams, to ensure business model alignment and enable planful and sustainable financial and team growth as related to market and community needs. S/he will provide and facilitate ongoing coaching, mentoring, supervision, and professional development to program leadership and staff.

The ideal candidate will fully embrace and embody YG’s youth-centered culture and carry that to others with high energy, positivity, and intentionality. S/he will balance a respect for YG’s proud history with a vision for its future, and the ability to lead and manage in a fast-moving environment with limited resources and plentiful opportunities. The CPO will bring a proven track record of progressive program management experience (at least 8+ years), preferably in a high-growth, best-in-class organization with a focus on serving youth and demonstrated capacity to lead the development of collaborative, cross-functional teams and build and inspire the leadership capacity of team members.

How to apply

This search is being conducted with assistance from Allison Kupfer Poteet and Callie Carroll of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. For a link to the full position description please visit: http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/current-searches/

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please send nominations and/or applications including cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history, and where you learned of the position to: yg-cpo@nonprofitprofessionals.com. Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Youth Guidance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.