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CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
Salary: $180,000 - $220,000 annually. Position: Full-Time.
Location: Hybrid-Remote; Los Angeles, California.
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Liberty Hill Foundation
The Position: Chief Program Officer
Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) at Liberty Hill Foundation (LHF) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for guiding our programmatic strategy, ensuring alignment with our NorthStar to achieve justice and equity. This role demands a solutions-driven individual who excels in stabilizing and providing clarity within the organization. The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will have overall responsibility for the vision, strategic development, and implementation of grantmaking programs to advance the foundation’s goals. As a team and organizational leader, the CPO will bring new perspectives, energy, approaches, and efficiencies to the foundation's work.
The CPO will lead a high-caliber, 15-person programs department and manage approximately $15 million in annual grantmaking. This includes overseeing the foundation’s current "Agenda for a Just Future" grantmaking program and leading a strategic planning process to determine the next grantmaking framework and focus areas for investments.
Additionally, the CPO will serve as a trusted thought partner and advisor to the President & CEO and as a member of the Executive Team, will advance organizational priorities and enhance the organizational culture.
Desired Qualities:
Leader in social justice: A deep knowledge of and passion for social justice, including work related to housing, environmental justice, youth justice and Los Angeles communities. Ideal candidate will be individual with experience building and managing programs that have had an impact in these areas.
Inspirational leader and manager. A track record in a leadership role in philanthropy, nonprofit, or government; someone who is able to manage their own team to achieve impact, while also being a key member of an organization’s senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide priorities. Experience in change management and organizational development is helpful.
Relational and Compassionate: Prioritize building strong relationships, asking questions before making requests, and demonstrating compassion and understanding during challenging times.
Consensus Builder: Engage the team in collaborative decision-making processes, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.
Emotional Intelligence: The capacity to be aware of, control, and express emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically, providing stability and clarity while navigating complex situations.
Agile work style: Handles multiple priorities effectively, maintaining focus on strategic alignment and minimizing duplication of efforts.
Advocate for Training and Development: Ensure consistent training and development across teams, fostering a unified approach to LHF’s programming and organizing strategy.
Commitment to Systems Change: Understand the dynamics of systems change, grassroots organizing, and the role of philanthropy in advancing a progressive agenda.
Key Responsibilities
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Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to achieve strategic goals, support a collaborative culture, and build impactful programs across LA.
Develop and implement programmatic strategies focusing on design, advocacy, capacity building, and coalition building to shift power.
Spearhead and oversee programs aligned with strategic goals and organizational values.
Provide strategic advice to the CEO and Board of Directors to inform decisions and objectives.
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Leverage knowledge of organizing/advocacy, policy issues, and the LA landscape to inform strategy.
Convene and build coalitions to amplify impact and build power.
Represent the Foundation at forums, manage funder collaboratives, and expand partnerships with progressive organizations.
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Collaborate across departments to share program data and develop content for communications and fundraising.
Partner on external messaging and storytelling, providing clear communications about program activities to the nonprofit, donor, foundation, and broader communities.
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Model and nurture a trusting, communicative, empowering, and learning-focused team environment.
Promote resilience and adaptability to internal and external changes.
Partner with Human Resources for employee support, evaluation, training, and professional development.
Provide supervision, support, and mentoring to senior level leaders, ensuring strategic partnerships and effective resource allocation.
Foster a culture centered on equity, accountability, and transparency, with coaching and direct feedback to improve performance.
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Guide government partnerships, from opportunity assessment to contract compliance.
Develop trust and collaboration across teams to enhance cohesion, efficiency, and shared purpose.
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Balance internal management and external impact, with an increasing focus on external leadership as programs department directors are onboarded and performing in their roles.
Professional Requirements
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will work closely with the President and CEO, Board, and staff to shape and implement Liberty Hill Foundation's programmatic vision. The CPO will ensure that the Foundation’s programs are innovative, strategic, and aligned with its mission. Understanding the role of movement building in advancing economic and racial justice through intersectional programs is essential. The CPO will be experienced with diverse funding streams and know how to invest them to address inequity.
The ideal candidate for the Chief Program Officer role will possess the following qualities:
Minimum ten years of senior leadership experience in a mission-driven organization.
Experience supervising staff, with a strong understanding of leading effective teams, and encouraging high staff performance.
Financial acumen, including experience in developing and tracking organizational and program budgets.
Background in organizing or advocacy across social justice issues, with a preference for experience in LA County.
Program design and implementation experience.
Demonstrated success in shaping and overseeing programs that engage and support diverse communities.
Experience in developing and implementing systems and processes that foster collaboration and increase efficiency.
Ability to envision and create solutions that support internal operations for more significant outcomes.
Familiarity with government grants, including securing, negotiating, executing, tracking, and reporting.
Understanding of philanthropy, including experience with grantmaking.
Culture Fit
Compassionate Leadership: Embrace and nurture the compassionate culture of LHF.
Relational Engagement: Facilitate monthly program team meetings and maintain regular one-on-one interactions to foster relational and collaborative engagement.
Innovative Problem-Solver: Approach challenges with innovative solutions, particularly when working within the bureaucratic constraints of government contracts.
Champion of Equity: Recognize capacity building and healing justice as integral components of our work, not merely add-ons.
Liberty Hill Foundation seeks a Chief Program Officer who is deeply committed to social justice, equity, and the empowerment of communities most impacted by systemic injustice. If you are passionate about driving progressive change and building a more equitable society, we invite you to join our team. In addition, we value lived experience. We believe that individuals with lived experience of injustice bring invaluable perspectives to our work. This role ideally fits someone who has personally faced and navigated social justice challenges, as their insights are crucial in driving impactful programs and fostering an authentic connection to the communities we serve. Your unique experiences can help shape our strategies and initiatives to be more inclusive and effective.
HOW TO APPLY
Liberty Hill has retained Talent Poole Consulting to lead this search for the Chief Program Officer vacancy.
To apply please submit a résumé and original cover letter that describes your interest in the role and Liberty Hill’s mission and your qualifications to
info@talentpoole.work.
All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
Application materials must be submitted via email to info@talentpoole.work.
Application materials that are only sent directly to staff members at Talent Poole and/or Liberty Hill will NOT be considered. You must apply directly by sending your application materials via email directly to info@talentpoole.work.
Please note that your education, dates of employment, and other information will be verified prior to an offer. Talent Poole only works only with equal-opportunity employers
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000.
Liberty Hill’s comprehensive benefits program includes 100% coverage for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and AD&D insurance. The Foundation’s 403b retirement plan consists of a 4% match and a 2% employer contribution.
In addition to generous PTO, Liberty Hill provides remote work stipends and offers wellness programs and professional development opportunities.
About Liberty Hill Foundation
Founded in 1976, the Liberty Hill Foundation is a leader in social justice in Los Angeles. For over four decades, Liberty Hill has empowered communities through organizing and advocacy, resulting in policy changes, social movements, and community transformation. Our mission is to build power in communities most impacted by systemic injustice to achieve social justice and equity.
Each year, Liberty Hill partners with over 1,000 organizations through grant-making that supports grassroots organizing, programs, and policy change. Our work focuses on eight core priorities: Racial Justice, Youth & Transformative Justice, LGBTQ & Gender Justice, Environmental & Climate Justice, Economic & Housing Justice, Electoral Power Building, and Healing Justice.
A key principle of Liberty Hill is the democratization of philanthropy. Our Donor Activists contribute funds to support grassroots activism and the movement for a more just and equitable Los Angeles. Donor Services include Donor-Advised Funds, Giving Circles, and Planned Giving, all designed to maximize impact. Liberty Hill is the home of progressive Los Angeles. We believe those closest to the pain should be closest to the power. We envision a society where all people have a powerful voice, especially those historically marginalized due to poverty, race, gender, sexual orientation, or place of birth.
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Founded: 1976
Annual Revenue: $30M
Endowment: $6M
Board of Directors: 16
Staff: 45
Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
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The mission of the Liberty Hill Foundation is to leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists, and allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training, and campaigns.
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Liberty Hill’s home is in Los Angeles, CA. The Foundation staff works in a hybrid model that is intentional about fostering strong connections between individuals and teams.
All staff members work in the office at least four times per month and meet regularly for in-person organizational meetings, professional development, and team building.
On a day-to-day basis, staff have access to the Foundation’s DTLA location.
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Liberty Hill Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law (such as cancer), reproductive health decision making, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Liberty Hill Foundation's management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Liberty Hill Foundation will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee related to an individual's physical or mental disability; sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; needs as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking; needs related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon Liberty Hill Foundation's business operations. Any applicant or employee who needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job should contact the Head of Human Resources to request such an accommodation. The individual should specify what accommodation is needed to perform the job and submit supporting documentation explaining the basis for the requested accommodation, to the extent permitted and in accordance with applicable law. Liberty Hill Foundation will review and analyze the request, including engaging in an interactive process with the employee or applicant, to identify if such an accommodation can be made. Liberty Hill Foundation will evaluate requested accommodations, and as appropriate identify other possible accommodations, if any. The individual will be notified of Liberty Hill Foundation's decision within a reasonable period. Liberty Hill Foundation treats all medical information submitted as part of the accommodation process in a confidential manner.