Chief Program Officer

Title: Chief Program Officer

State Role Title: Education Administrator III

Hiring Range: $100,000.00

Pay Band: 6

Agency: New College Institute

Location: New College Institute

Agency Website: www.wphed.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Chief Program Officer provides leadership and oversight of educational programs, partnerships, and outreach initiatives for the West Piedmont Higher Education Center (formerly New College Institute). This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating programs and partnerships that expand access to academic degrees, credentials, and workforce-aligned learning opportunities. The role serves as the primary liaison to K–12 school systems, higher education institutions, workforce agencies, industry partners, and community organizations.

West Piedmont Higher Education Center is a premier center of learning dedicated to expanding access to academic degrees, credentials, and professional learning experiences in high-quality educational environments that prepare individuals for regional and statewide workforce opportunities while supporting economic development and community transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Development

• Lead the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational and outreach programs.
  
• Develop and manage K–12 student engagement initiatives, including campus visits, workshops, enrichment programs, and summer programs.
  
• Coordinate educator professional development opportunities and student advancement programming.
  
• Identify and implement new academic, credential, and workforce-aligned program opportunities.
  
• Ensure programs are aligned with regional workforce needs, institutional goals, and community priorities.
  

Partnership Development and Outreach

• Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with K–12 school divisions, higher education institutions, workforce agencies, businesses, and community organizations.
  
• Serve as primary liaison for educational and community partnerships.
  
• Coordinate outreach activities including presentations, recruitment events, college fairs, tours, workshops, and community engagement activities.
  
• Support development of collaborative programming and joint initiatives with institutional partners.
  
• Develop and manage memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements.
  

Data, Reporting, and Program Evaluation

• Collect, analyze, and report data related to enrollment, participation, space utilization, and program outcomes.
  
• Develop and distribute surveys and assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness.
  
• Prepare reports for internal leadership, board members, and external stakeholders, including state, federal, and grant reporting requirements.
  
• Use data to inform program improvements, strategic planning, and decision-making.
  
• Ensure accurate documentation of program outcomes and institutional effectiveness measures.
  

Recruitment and Student Engagement

• Coordinate recruitment and outreach strategies to increase awareness and participation in programs and services.
  
• Support K–12 engagement initiatives and student pathway programs.
  
• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, and workforce partners to expand access and participation.
  
• Evaluate outreach efforts and recommend improvements to recruitment and engagement strategies.
  

Program Administration and Grants

• Develop and manage budgets for outreach, K–12 programming, and summer initiatives.
  
• Monitor program implementation to ensure quality, consistency, and continuous improvement.
  
• Identify grant opportunities and support grant development to enhance program growth and sustainability.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  
• Significant experience in post-secondary education, K–12 partnership development, workforce development, or related academic program leadership
  
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing educational programs, preferably within a K–16 or higher education environment
  
• Experience with grant development, grant management, and budget oversight
  
• Experience working with K–12 schools, higher education institutions, industry partners, or statewide education initiatives
  
• Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation using established goals and performance metrics
  
• Experience supervising staff and/or coordinating cross-functional teams
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  
• Experience working with diverse populations and stakeholder groups

Additional Considerations

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (276) 403-5604. Please include your name and the position number of the fax cover sheet.

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call 276-403-5627 for assistance. AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Contact Information

Name: Diana Pace

Phone: 276-403-5627

Email: dpace@wphed.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.