Chief Programs Officer bei Association of Village Council Presidents

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 performance of direct reports in accordance with AVCP policy.
• Work with the Executive Team to prepare a comprehensive AVCP budget.

Communications/Advocacy/Public Relations
• Collaborate with AVCP’s Communications and Advocacy teams to support a comprehensive program communications strategy to inform AVCP’s Tribes and Tribal Members as well as other partners and stakeholders about program activities and opportunities.
• Ensure division directors and program managers have established communication channels with their staff to include regular one-on-one meetings with all direct reports and regular team meetings.
• Communicate regular program updates to the Executive Team.
• Serve as liaison when needed to programmatic tribal contacts, key government agencies, community partners, sister organizations and other partners and stakeholders in AVCP’s programs.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with partners, funders, tribes, community groups, policymakers, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Operation Management or in a related field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. Length and relevance of work experience may serve as a substitute for required education.
Experience
• 8 or more years of progressive programmatic and operational management experience required, in the non-profit or governmental sector preferred.
• 5 or more years direct experience working with tribes, tribal organizations and/or with state and federal agencies strongly preferred.  

Knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Demonstrated experience managing a team in a multi-site structure.
• Knowledge of program planning, organizational structure, budgeting, and administrative support functions.
• Knowledge of business functions such as HR, Finance, Information Technology, Compliance, etc.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and organizational development.
• Knowledge of programmatic data analysis and staffing performance/operation metrics.
• Knowledge of organizational management with the ability to coach mid and senior-level staff.
• Knowledge of digital project management, tools, programs, and reporting methods.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.
• Knowledge of AVCP’s programs, administrative and program structure, and service delivery model.
• Knowledge of the Yup’ik culture and of the tribal organizations and villages of the region of the Y-K Delta.
• Yup’ik speakers preferred.

Proficiency in the use of computers for:
• Programmatic, financial and project management programs and tools
• Digital timekeeping, tracking appropriate cost codes, and processing electronic contracts and forms
• Word processing and strong communication
• Clear E-mail communication using respect and diplomacy
• Internet searches and research

Personal characteristics and competence reflecting:
• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ethical Behavior: Understand ethical business and interpersonal behavior and business practices and ensure that your own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Effective Communication: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organization’s parameters.
• Ability to Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Leadership: Ability to positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Decision-making: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization, collaborating with management teams as needed.
• Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities
• Managing Planning: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Problem Solving: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Strategic Thinking: Assess options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and in tune with the vision and values of the organization.

A Background Check will be required.