Chief Program Officer

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Stephen Center has served homeless and low-income individuals in Omaha since 1984 with the mission to partner with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty.

The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing offerings provide safe and secure housing while individuals and families complete an assessment of permanent housing options.

All Stephen Center residents have access to dual diagnosis support services via the HERO addiction / recovery program. 100% of Stephen Center shelter supportive housing participants are living in poverty.

Housing transition support identifies poverty barriers that may impact one’s ability to achieve or maintain permanent housing through case management, life skills, and behavioral health services.

Stephen Center serves approximately 250 people daily in all programs.

Position Summary :

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key leadership role at the Stephen Center, responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of all addiction recovery, housing, and emergency shelter programs.

The CPO will ensure that programs are client-centered, trauma-informed, and aligned with evidence-based practices while addressing the unique needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness or recovering from addiction.

This position will focus on optimizing client outcomes, maintaining program quality, and managing key partnerships to enhance service delivery and reach.

Key Responsibilities :

• Program Leadership :
• Oversee all programmatic functions, including emergency shelter services, permanent supportive housing, and HERO addiction recovery programs.
• Ensure programs are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and tailored to meet the specific needs of Stephen Center clients.
• Set performance goals and monitor outcomes, continually refining and enhancing program effectiveness.
• Staff Management & Development :
• Lead and mentor program staff, including shelter managers, caseworkers, addiction recovery counselors, and program coordinators.
• Ensure continuous staff development and training, focusing on client-centered care, trauma-informed approaches, and recovery-oriented best practices.
• Cultivate a culture of collaboration, accountability, and respect among staff.
• Program Evaluation & Compliance :
• Establish metrics for success and oversee data collection and reporting on program outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, regulatory standards, and accreditation guidelines, particularly related to addiction treatment and housing programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to align program budgets with service delivery needs and funding sources.
• Client Services & Outcomes :
• Lead initiatives to continuously improve client success in addiction recovery, housing stability, and reintegration into the community.
• Work directly with clients and staff to address individual challenges and adjust services to optimize outcomes.
• Partnership Development & Community Engagement :
• Foster strong relationships with local service providers, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and donors to expand program reach and resources.
• Represent Stephen Center at community events, conferences, and coalition meetings.
• Grant & Fund Development :
• Collaborate with the development team to ensure that programmatic strategies align with fundraising and grant opportunities.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals by providing program descriptions, metrics, and success stories.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned / directed.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a leadership role in the social services sector, with experience in addiction recovery, homelessness, or mental health services.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed care, evidence-based addiction recovery models, and housing-first principles.
• Strong leadership, staff development, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use it to inform program decisions and improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders and build strong community partnerships.

Physical Requirements :

• Sitting All day
• Standing / Walking Periodically
• Kneeling Periodically
• Pushing / Pulling Periodically
• Lifting up to 20 pounds - Periodically

Great health benefits :

• Medical
• Dental and vision are 100% employer paid
• Employer paid STD
• Salary Range : $95,000-$105,000

Other Benefits include :

• SIMPLE IRA with 3% match
• Paid PTO
• Complimentary Life Insurance, Accidental Death / Dismemberment Insurance
• 10 paid holidays
• Free Planet Fitness membership to 36th & L location-$120 value!
• 22% Discount at Verizon Wireless
• Free on-site lunches
• Monthly employee engagement activities, recognition opportunities, and more!

Stephen Center offers competitive salaries and a full array of benefits commensurate with NAM Guidelines.

Stephen Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thank you for your interest in Stephen Center!

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