Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Pay: Competitive, BOE
Job Full Description
Chief Program Officer (CPO) Job Summary
Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives affected by homelessness through shelter, recovery, housing, and supportive services. The Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves as a key executive leader and member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer.
The CPO is responsible for translating MTM’s mission and strategic vision into high-impact, outcome-driven programs that promote recovery, spiritual growth, housing stability, and long-term transformation. This role provides strategic leadership, accountability, and execution across all program areas while ensuring excellence in program design, evaluation, compliance, and stewardship of resources.
The ideal candidate is a servant leader with strong programmatic and evaluative expertise, proven experience leading complex human services organizations, and a deep passion for faith-based mission work. The CPO ensures that MTM programs are trauma-informed, spiritually grounded, data-informed, and aligned with the organization’s commitment to dignity, safety, and transformational outcomes.
Chief Program Officer (CPO) Key Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership for the strategic direction, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of all MTM programs, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
- Establish clear program goals, intended outcomes, and impact measures across all service areas
- Design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program evaluation and outcomes measurement framework using qualitative and quantitative data
- Develop, monitor, and refine key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness, participant progress, long-term housing stability, and overall impact
- Lead continuous quality improvement efforts focused on program outcomes, service delivery, systems, and processes
- Ensure programs are outcome-driven, trauma-informed, spiritually grounded, compliant with regulations, and responsive to the evolving needs of guests and participants
- Ensure consistent and effective use of the Client Management System to support case planning, outcome tracking, compliance, and reporting
- Oversee program budgets in partnership with the CEO, CFO, and finance team, ensuring responsible stewardship, fiscal accountability, and alignment with funding requirements and sustainability goals
- Provide executive leadership to all program areas, ensuring the right leaders and staff are in the right roles through effective hiring, development, coaching, and performance management
- Build and lead high-performing, mission-driven teams that foster collaboration, accountability, and staff engagement
- Ensure case management, clinical services, and recovery programming support not only housing placement, but long-term housing stability, recovery, and success
- Ensure MTM’s unique approach to meeting guests and participants at their Spiritual Point of Need is upheld through strong Chaplain and Ministry engagement
- Lead relationships with public agency funders, external partners, and community stakeholders to support program success, compliance, and growth
- Partner closely with Development and Public Relations to communicate program outcomes, impact, and stories that support fundraising and community engagement
- Pursue, manage, and oversee government grants, contracts, and other funding opportunities in collaboration with Development
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Human Resources, and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure facilities, staffing, systems, and organizational practices effectively support program goals
- Serve as a key internal and external representative for MTM programs, including participation in board meetings, community planning efforts, and partner engagements as delegated by the CEO
Schedule & Compensation
- Full-Time, Exempt
- Competitive Executive Compensation, Based on Experience
Qualifications & Skills
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in social services, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
- 7–10+ years of senior-level leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, healthcare, or ministry settings
- Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-program or multi-site service organizations
- Strong experience in program strategy, evaluation, outcome measurement, and continuous quality improvement
- Proven ability to develop and manage program budgets and align resources with strategic priorities
- Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrated alignment with Christian faith and Mel Trotter Ministries’ mission and values
Preferred
- Experience in homelessness services, housing programs, recovery, or community-based social services
- Experience managing government grants, contracts, and regulatory compliance
- Demonstrated success in organizational change management and systems development
Faith & Mission Commitment
As a Christian mission, the CPO is expected to:
- Demonstrate an active, personal Christian faith
- Support and participate in the spiritual life of the organization
- Uphold Mel Trotter Ministries’ Statement of Faith, mission, and core values
How to Apply:
Applications and nominations will be accepted until a Chief Program Officer is appointed. Expressions of interest and candidate applications will be treated with complete confidentiality.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and letter of interest directly to Susan Delauter via email at susan.delauter@srgexpress.com.
Inquiries concerning this search may also be directed to susan.delauter@srgexpress.com.
Position Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
About Specialized Recruiting Group, an Express Employment Professionals Company:
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Grand Rapids, MI
1357
1760 44th St SW
#10
Grand Rapids, MI 49519
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