Chief Program Officer

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

HORIZON SERVICES, INC.
(Hayward, CA)

THE ORGANIZATION:

Horizon Services, Inc. (HSI) provides alcohol, drug, and mental health related services to adults and adolescents. All programs are evidence-based and provide a safe environment for understanding and addressing substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health-related issues that keep people from their full potential. HSI's prevention programs help youth develop healthy relationships and live substance-free lives. In addition, HSI works in the community helping families, businesses, and public agencies recognize and develop responses to SUD which create safer and healthier neighborhoods.

For nearly 50 years, HSI has been a steadfast refuge for community members with substance use and mental health disorders. HSI began in 1974 with sober-living support services for men re-entering the workforce. Today, HSI has multiple recovery and prevention programs serving a racially diverse mix of community members across Alameda, Butte, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties in California, while also expanding its reach nationally mid-2025. HSI uses leading evidence-based practices in programs, from EMDR to measurement-based-care practices which have been demonstrated to improve client outcomes. Working in partnership with clients, HSI's goal is not simply recovery, but also rebuilding of clients' dignity.

HSI has an annual operating budget of $25 million and employs over 180 staff throughout its eleven programs. For more about Horizon Services, click here .

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Program Officer (CPO) is responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization, with a strong emphasis on the implementation and management of the organization's strategic plan and integration of Clinical and Operational functional areas. The CPO thoughtfully collaborates with fellow members of the executive leadership team (ELT) to ensure that projects are executed cross-functionally and across various service lines.

Under the leadership of the CPO, each program is expected to operate efficiently and at optimal capacity while delivering excellent client outcomes, which are monitored and continuously improved in partnership with the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The CPO ensures this by mobilizing and coordinating a diverse team of internal experts across the organization. To support high-quality service delivery across multiple regions and service lines, the CPO effectively leverages mid-level extenders to provide focused oversight and implement strategic improvements. The CPO directly supervises the Clinical Director and Director of Program Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership
Partner with the CEO and ELT to guide strategic planning and make key operational decisions.
Lead the development, implementation, and improvement of programs in collaboration with the ELT. Ensure operational efficiency, leverage mid-level staff for execution, and establish systems to monitor performance and daily census.
Plan and execute special projects related to program expansion in new regions or new market segments, including launching or closing programs and securing new locations.
Pilot innovative clinical improvement projects, scaling them throughout the organization upon demonstration of efficacy.
In partnership with the CEO and grant writer, conceptualize and design innovative programs which meet the needs of various stakeholders.

Management
Supervise and manage mid-level leaders (Clinical Director & Director of Program Operations) who serve as operational extenders for the Chief Program Officer.
Collaborate with the Director of Outreach & Talent Development (DOTD) to deliver consistent staff training.
Oversee program operations, including fiscal performance, and utilization, by partnering with Program Managers and leveraging mid-level leadership to ensure smooth, high-quality service delivery across sites and levels of care in alignment with the strategic plan.
Lead talent management efforts across clinical and program teams, including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, engagement, retention, and ongoing professional development in partnership with Human Resources and DOTD.
Partner with staff to develop systems that measure progress on operational projects and support continuous improvement across programs and departments.
Strengthen organizational communication and coordination by leading cross-functional management meetings and maintaining clear internal and external communication channels.
Drive the execution of newly funded initiatives through disciplined project and change management practices. Mobilize and guide change teams to implement projects effectively, ensuring objectives are met and organizational readiness is achieved.
Implement a regular site visit schedule with the goal of maintaining an in-person presence at program locations 2-3 days per week.

Fiscal Management
Ensure programs operate within budget parameters by managing resources effectively and in alignment with contract requirements and organizational financial guidelines, in close collaboration with the CFO.
Maintain oversight of agency financial operations, monitoring agency credit cards, and managing bank accounts in partnership with the CEO and CFO.

Clinical Strategy & Practice
Provide strategic leadership in clinical programming, long-term planning, and policy development to ensure services are evidence-based, culturally responsive, and medically necessary.
Ensure all clinical and programmatic services align with best practices, organizational guidelines, regulatory standards, CARF standards and ASAM Level of Care principles, with treatment intensities matching client needs across service levels.
Lead the development and maintenance of sound clinical practices, policies, and procedures, including quality assurance frameworks and clinical supervision for registered, certified, and/or licensed staff.
Establish and oversee fidelity monitoring systems throughout the organization by leveraging clinical extenders to ensure consistency and adherence to evidence-based practices.
Analyze and apply client outcomes and patient experience data in collaboration with the CCO to improve service effectiveness and inform strategic planning.

Compliance & Risk Management
Partner with the CCO to implement policies, procedures, and program structures that support licensing, accreditation, certification, and continuous quality improvement.
Collaborate with the CCO and program leadership to analyze audits, using information strategically in a continuous improvement fashion.
Executes a structured and disciplined incident reporting process in collaboration with the CCO to support organizational transparency and accountability, using results to inform continuous operational improvements.
Coordinate and participate in regulatory audit processes, liaise with external auditors and the Board of Directors, and implement necessary changes based on audit outcomes.
In partnership with the IT Director, ensure HIPAA compliance and support the effective implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and required county-level reporting.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:

The CPO will be a mission-driven, emotionally intelligent leader with a deep passion for serving others and a strong sense of humility. The ideal candidate will bring a proven ability to build and develop high-functioning teams, coach and mentor staff, and lead with influence rather than authority. Adept in fast-paced and dynamic environments, the CPO will possess exceptional planning, forecasting, and project management skills, along with a demonstrated ability to scale operations effectively while maintaining service quality. This individual is a skilled communicator, both oral and written, with the ability to resolve conflicts, analyze complex situations, and make data-informed decisions. The CPO will demonstrate the ability to manage at scale, knowing when to zoom out and trust leadership and frontline teams to carry the work forward based on clear indicators of operational health, and when to roll up their sleeves and dive in to diagnose and resolve early warning signs. In doing so, they will model problem-solving and continuous improvement, using these moments as opportunities to teach by showing. The CPO will be collaborative, adaptable, and deeply clinically knowledgeable in behavioral health, including ASAM guidelines, complex mental health and substance use populations, and the interplay between mental health and SUD, along with applicable federal and state laws around safety, confidentiality, and personnel.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:

The ideal candidate will have a progressive career in behavioral health or related fields, with at least six years of experience in substance use, mental health, or similar program operations. They will have spent five or more years in increasingly responsible management roles, with direct experience in staff supervision, training, and professional development. Experience overseeing program budgets, navigating risk management issues, organizational growth, and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws related to personnel, safety, and confidentiality are essential. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record demonstrating ability to lead operational functions in complex, high-demand environments while building cohesive teams, scaling programs effectively, and maintaining a focus on quality and compliance.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:

A master's degree is required, coupled with BBS Licensure (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or LEP) and applicable Clinical Supervision designation.

COMPENSATION:

The annual salary range for this position is $185,000 to $200,000. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.

TO APPLY:

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and applications, including resume and a compelling letter of interest in confidence to:

Karin Berger Stellar
...
Managing Partner, Morris & Berger
Telephone ...

Electronic submission is required.

To apply, visit:

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