Chief Program Officer, Center For Independence of The Disabled, NY (CIDNY), Queens, NY

About the position

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) is the leading organization serving and representing people with disabilities in New York City. CIDNY's mission is the removal of barriers to full integration of people with disabilities. CIDNY helps people with disabilities to gain the skills and obtain the services they need to live independently in the community. CIDNY advocates for fair and effective policies that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

OPPORTUNITY:

CIDNY is seeking an experienced senior manager for a newly created position for an individual with a disability who embodies CIDNY’s mission and is invested in helping CIDNY continue to serve the community and build the disability rights movement. The ideal candidate is an individual with a disability with deep roots in the disability community who has experience overseeing all administrative and operational functions of a non-profit organization as assigned by the Executive Director.  The CIDNY Chief Program Officer is a senior leadership and management position. The person will have important internal and external facing responsibilities. The Chief Program Officer will be a critical thinking partner to the Executive Director and will help shape the vision, strategic direction, and the organization’s priority activities. The Chief Program Officer will also help CIDNY deliver on its mission by ensuring that the programmatic work is carried out in a manner consistent with CIDNY’s values and goals.

This is an exciting and expansive role that includes the coordination of the essential business activities of the organization (talent, budgeting/planning, communications, performance management, data, culture, etc.) to ensure that the organization is operating most optimally in terms of productivity and effectiveness. The Chief Program Officer will support the Executive Director by researching and gathering information across the organization and with external stakeholders and provide feedback to ensure that the Executive Director has the information needed to respond to inquiries quickly and make sound decisions. Additionally, the person will help develop and oversee program and organizational evaluations to measure results and ensure fidelity. The Chief Program Officer will partner closely with the Executive Director to chart CIDNY’s future growth and strategic responses to a dynamic and ever-growing disability community. The Chief Program Officer will be located in the CIDNY Queens Office at 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd. Suite 400, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 or willing to relocate.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Executive Director in optimizing, defining, and advancing the organization’s goals and priorities, internally and externally.
• Prepare the Executive Director with the necessary research, information, materials, and communications to effectively engage with staff, board, donors, potential donors, partners, and potential partners.
• Assist the Executive Director with managing organization-wide meetings or retreats including creating agendas and any presentation materials required.
• Provide Executive Director and program directors with recommendations and consultation to improve teamwork.
• Directly supervise eight program departments and conduct supervisory sessions with these program directors.
• Meet weekly with the Executive Director for supervision.
• Meet monthly with all Program Directors for exchange of ideas.
• Submit monthly reports to supervisor and funding source.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Manager of Development & Fundraising to identify foundation funding opportunities, preparation of grant proposals and participation in appeals to donors.
• Assist in the management and organization of CIDNY’s strategic plan.
• Participate in the identification of government contract opportunities and in the preparation of responses for these grant applications.
• Work with the Executive Director and Contract Manager to ensure grant and contract compliance and timely reporting of project activities and outcomes.
• Prepare accurate reports on a timely basis.
• Participating in leadership team meetings, planning, projects, and agency policy development.
• Ensure that all program contracts are making contracted deliverables.

Qualifications:

Must be a fierce advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities.  Must have excellent communication skills to ensure quality communication between state and local government officials, legislatures, advocacy groups, the community, and other organizations committed to full Civil Rights, Integration, and Individual Rights of individuals with disabilities. Must be organized and good at multitasking. Must have experience with the policy-making and legislative process.  Computer literacy is necessary. Some travel may be necessary.

Bachelor’s Degree required in business, Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, Communications, public policy, Political Science, or related field. A master's degree in the above-mentioned disciplines desired

• Lived experience as a person with a disability
• Knowledge of disability rights, disability justice, and disability policy and current)
• Knowledge of and commitment to racial equity work and how they intersect with disability
• 7-10 years of professional experience in operations and management preferred  
• A strategic thinker who understands how operations and finances support the broader mission of the organization
• Depth of experience in managing teams, supporting cross-functional collaboration, developing staff, and setting clear goals
• Experience in policy/advocacy a plus
• Proven ability to support organizational growth
• Experience in nonprofit budget/financial management
• Experience in revenue development strategies, including earned revenue and/or fundraising strategies
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to help establish and track progress towards program and organization-wide goals
• Actively participate in the development of funding proposals and new initiatives
• Engage with key external stakeholders around organizational impact and plans for the future
• Eagerness to work as part of a team, both as a leader and in a supporting capacity, to expand the impact and visibility of CIDNY
• Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Track record of success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple project priorities
• Experience handling sensitive data and other confidential information, and demonstrated discretion and strong judgment in such situations
• High level of initiative and desire to meet specific goals
• Demonstrated empathetic disposition and positive attitude
• Experience in strong lateral management, relationship building, project and/or executive management, or corporate strategy.
• Demonstrated experience with providing direct program supervision required, including organizing and directing multiple teams and departments.
• Strong project reporting skills and proven success with interdepartmental communications.
• Experience conducting research, writing grants and analyzing data.
• Previous experience collaborating with mission-driven non-profits and mission-driven for-profits.
• Must be technologically proficient.

The ideal candidate:

• Is an individual with lived experience as a person with a disability.
• Possesses exceptional poise, confidence and diplomacy when interacting with key stakeholders.
• Has ability to build strong relationships and work with people at all levels within and external to the organization.
• Can manage multiple responsibilities in a challenging environment, while meeting deadlines and goals.
• Has exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills as well as diligence.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills, eager to take initiative, and an adaptive learner.
• Planning and project management skills.
• Has excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Is highly attentive to detail, organized, and highly initiative taking, with ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently and independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other standard business technology.
• Position requires a strong commitment to CIDNY's mission.
• Is multi-lingual - American Sign Language or Spanish is a strong plus, but not required.

Position Specifics:

• Location: CIDNY’s Queens Office 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd., Suite 400, Kew Gardens, NY 11415.
• Salary: $115,000 annually.
• Shift: 9am till 5pm. (may require additional hours as needed)
• Benefits available: Medical, paid time off, Sick pay, Paid holidays, Dental, Life insurance, Vision, and 403B plan.

PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION AND BOOSTER REQUIRED.

How to apply: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled so don’t wait for a closing date to apply.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Serious candidates should submit applications before MAY 24, 2024 but you should understand that the position may be filled by then.  Applications should contain a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications described above.

Email application to Christine Griffin, cgriffin@benderconsult.com with “CIDNY Chief Program Officer Search” in the subject line. Please include how you heard about the search.

Only a select number of highly qualified individuals will be invited to participate in a formal interview process. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout all phases of the recruitment and selection process.

Accessibility accommodations for any portion of the application or interview process are available by emailing your request to Christine Griffin at cgriffin@benderconsult.com

CIDNY is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, veteran, age, disability, marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation.