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American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking an experienced Chief Program Officer (CPO) to lead the strategic direction, execution and evaluation of the organization’s domestic and international programs, ensuring their growth, impact, and alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.  As a key executive leader, the CPO will also support revenue and resource development, promote innovation and help shape the vision of the organization. This position is hybrid based at the Washington, D.C. headquarters location and reports directly to the President & CEO.

For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society (AHS) has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection.

Working at AHS means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives.  American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we highly encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Position summary:

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will oversee the strategic direction, implementation, and evaluation of all programmatic activities at for American Humane Society’s (AHS) domestic and international programming. The CPO will play a critical role as an executive leader, helping shape the organization’s vision while ensuring the success, impact and growth of its major programs, including: Pups4Patriots™, Military Working Dog Reunification, Sanctuary, Rescue, and Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, and, under the umbrella of American Humane Certified™ and  Global Humane Certified™: No Animals Were Harmed®,  Working Animals, Pet Providers, Ecotourism, and Zoos & Aquariums.

Responsibilities:

+ Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all programmatic initiatives to ensure alignment with American Humane’s mission and values.

+ Manage and guide a team of senior program leaders, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, accountability, innovation, and growth.

+ Drive financial support for programs by partnering with the Chief Growth Officer to cultivate high-value relationships, identify funding opportunities, and lead strategic resource development efforts.

+ Responsible for both the financial and mission performance of the programs.  Drive the development, execution, and continuous improvement of programs, including evaluation of their impact and efficiency in alignment with the Humane 2030 Strategic Plan.

+ As member of the executive team, serve as a key advisor to the President & CEO and collaborate with the executive and senior leadership teams to inform organizational priorities.

+ Serve as a support and partner to senior program leaders in developing external partnerships and opportunities, achieving strategic growth goals, and discerning, advocating for and implementing new ideas or addressing challenges.

+ Achieve annual programmatic outcomes and KPIs aligned with strategic organizational goals.

+ Represent American Humane with external stakeholders, including partners, funders, government agencies, media, and the public.

+ Oversee program budgets in collaboration with program leadership, the finance team and teams responsible for revenue generation; ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.

+ Support and enhance cross-departmental coordination, especially among programs and with communications, development, and operations.

+ Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships that advance programmatic goals and increase organizational visibility and brand awareness.

+ Seek out and create opportunities for growth and expansion of programming domestically and globally.

+ Evaluate resource needs of programs and serve as a partner to the revenue generating functions, ensuring programs have adequate resources to support standard operating and expansion efforts.

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

+ Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in the nonprofit or animal welfare sectors.

+ Commitment to American Humane Society’s mission and values.

+ Advanced degree in public or business administration, nonprofit management, or related field strongly preferred.

+ Proven experience managing large-scale programs with national or global impact.

+ Deep expertise in developing, executing and scaling impactful programs.

+ Strong analytical skills to drive program strategy through evidence.

+ Experience managing or overseeing certification, accreditation, or standards-setting programs helpful but not required.

+ Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate vision into action.

+ Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; experience engaging with media, policymakers, donors, and diverse stakeholders.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage complex teams and foster a positive organizational culture.

+ Familiarity with impact measurement and outcomes evaluation and ability to lead those efforts.

+ Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing program budgets.

+ Adept at cultivating trust with internal teams and external stakeholders.

+ Uses sound judgement and high level of discretion, particularly when dealing with sensitive or confidential information or situations.

+ Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint); able to quickly learn and adapt to new software or database systems.

Direct reports:

+ Six senior program heads will report to the CPO, with potential for that to grow.

Physical demands and work environment:

+ Position will be a hybrid of office/telework with the position based out of the Washington, DC headquarters office location and regular telework schedule based on organizational policy, need and manager discretion.

+ Must be comfortable being around a variety of animals in different settings, particularly dogs in the office and at events.

+ Significant travel will be required domestically with some international travel likely; estimated up to 30%.

+ Some evenings and weekends will be needed for networking, events and program activities.

+ While performing the duties of this position, the employee will regularly be required to:

+ Look at and work on a computer screen for extended periods of time,

+ Talk, hear and exchange information over the telephone, virtually and in person.

American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace, and these values serve as the cornerstone for interactions in advancing our mission and institutional goals. Employees are expected to adhere to all organizational policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Society’s core values:

+ Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others.

+ Accountability - Holding ourselves to the highest standards. Following through on commitments and owning our actions, behavior, and decisions.

+ Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others and honoring diversity in all its forms.

+ Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and our mission – our nation’s most vulnerable depend on us.

+ Sustainability - Contributing to being a great place to work and achieving our shared mission and goals to make a difference, now and in the future.

+ Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency, as trusted stewards of donor resources, supporting our leadership and one another.

American Humane Society (AHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to fostering a welcoming, supportive workplace where our work makes a real difference in animals' lives.

Job Details:

+ Title: Chief Program Officer

+ Type: Full-Time Exempt

+ Location: Washington, DC Metro Area

+ Compensation: $275,000-$300,000

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