Chief Programs Officer

Description

JOB TITLE: Chief Programs Officer (CPO) DEPARTMENT: Administration
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) POSITION STATUS: Exempt, Full-Time
JOB CLASS: 11                       APPROVED: October 2025

Job Purpose

The Chief Programs Officer (CPO) of the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is a member of the Executive Team of the largest tribal consortium in the nation, delivering programs and services to 56 tribes in 48 villages in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. The CPO is responsible for the operations of the comprehensive array of programs organized in divisions, supported by a diverse funding portfolio, delivering dozens of services throughout the region. In accordance with policy and the strategic direction set by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and AVCP’s Executive Board, the CPO will ensure the programmatic functions fulfill the goals of AVCP, meeting the needs of the Tribes and Tribal families, and the requirements of funders and partners.  The CPO will evaluate the effectiveness of the program service delivery model and foster communication and cooperation throughout the organization. The CPO must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and be able to thrive in a transformational environment. The CPO reports directly to the CEO and is subject to a background check.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership
• Serve as a member on the Executive Team of AVCP.
• Collaborate and communicate closely with the General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer to ensure legal compliance, fiscal accountability, and administrative alignment while meeting fiduciary duties.
• Participate with the CEO, Executive Board, and its Tribal Governing Bodies, and Management Team in refining the strategic plan that guides the organization.
• Routinely provide reports on the state of AVCP's program service delivery to the Article IV Board of Directors, the AVCP Executive Board and its committees, the Executive Team and AVCP staff, and other relevant parties as directed by the CEO.
• Identify, assess, and inform the CEO of internal and external issues and risks that affect the organization and the functions under the CPO's supervision, in a timely and routine manner.
• Provide effective and motivational leadership, while fostering a work environment of collaboration, continuous quality improvement, and mutual accountability, in cooperation and alignment with the CEO and Executive Team and in accordance with AVCP’s policies and procedures.
• Develop expertise in AVCP programs, their funding, and the supporting administrative functions, as well as a deep understanding of the broader context of the relationship with regional sister organization, Tribes, the State of Alaska, and federal partnerships.
• Support all aspects of the AVCP Service Delivery Model by which the organization delivers services to the region.

Planning and Management
• Responsible for managing program staff, creating a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with AVCP’s personnel policies and State and Federal labor law.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of AVCP programs including the continued transformation of braiding services, with coordinated support through with Legal and Finance on subaward agreements and vendor contracts to support program implementation, ensuring programmatic deliverables are met.
• Responsible for the planning and development of the annual program and division workplans and budgets.
• Monitor programmatic operations and spending to ensure sound fiscal and system management.
• Identify programmatic funding needs across programs 12–24 months in advance and collaborate with Finance and Grants teams to pursue opportunities.
• Develop and update comprehensive funding and program plans such as the 477 Plan and the Title IVB Plan and ensure high-quality annual grant and funding proposals are timely submitted for all programs such as VPSO, HeadStart, and the annual Tribal Justice funding proposal.
• In alignment with AVCP’s strategic plan, work in partnership with division directors to develop multi-year service delivery plans, with goals and objectives that improve the overall effectiveness of AVCP’s service delivery model.
• Develop objective program evaluation methods to assist in determining the overall effectiveness of the program service delivery model.
• Support consistent efficiencies in service delivery, data collection, and reporting across all programs.
• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor program staff in furtherance of the organization's mission.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with program direct reports, and facilitate division director team meetings to provide support and promote accountability and transparency of program operations.
• Evaluate the