Chief Program Officer

The Fresh Air FundNew York, NY, US

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Job Description

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit www.FreshAir.org.

Position Summary

The Fresh Air Fund is a youth development organization providing transformative outdoor experiences, at no cost, for New York City children from underserved communities. At six sleepaway camps in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, children have new experiences, learn new skills and gain new perspectives. Participants also take part in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. We believe that investing in a child’s journey through life provides an opportunity for young people to learn, grow and thrive in our city and beyond.

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will provide visionary and strategic leadership for all of The Fresh Air Fund’s programs, including our residential summer camps, year-round youth development initiatives, community outreach, and support services. The CPO will be a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for aligning all programmatic efforts with the organization’s strategic plan and ensuring the highest quality outcomes for participants. This role requires a forward-thinking, data-informed leader who brings deep knowledge of youth development, a strong commitment to equity and the ability to communicate The Fund's work to Board, staff and funders.

The CPO must be on-call 24 / 7 during the summer. Experience with residential or overnight camping programs is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Innovation

Lead the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan across all program areas.
Evaluate, enhance, and evolve current program models and curriculum using data, research, and evidence-based practices.
Develop a long-term vision and annual plans for year-round programming that deepen engagement beyond the summer.
Promote a culture of learning, continuous improvement, and innovation.
Serve as a thought leader in the youth development and camping sectors, representing The Fund externally with partners, funders, and at conferences.
Ensure program design and execution centers equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed youth development practices.

Program Operations & Management

Collaborate closely with the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Director of Program Management & Operations, and Director of Sharpe Reservation to ensure operational excellence across the program portfolio.

Be available 24 / 7 during the summer season to manage emergencies, support staff and ensure high-quality program delivery.

Collaborate with HR, Legal, and Operations to ensure internal and external regulatory compliance and crisis response readiness.

Work closely with the Chief Legal Officer to assess and mitigate programmatic risk across all areas of service delivery.

Oversee hiring, onboarding, and ongoing professional development for more than 500 seasonal staff and 10+ full-time team members.

Oversee summer manuals, training protocols, safety plans, and alignment with camping laws and standards.

Data, Budget, and Impact

Oversee program budgets and overall fiscal responsibility, ensuring alignment of resources with strategic priorities.

Use quantitative and qualitative data to assess impact, drive decision-making, and ensure accountability.

Communicate program outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.

Serve as the primary point of contact to the Board of Directors on all programmatic matters, providing updates, data, and strategic insight.

Staff & Culture Development

Build and lead a high-performing, collaborative program team with a focus on equity, results, and professional growth.

Implement clear performance goals, accountability measures, and continuous feedback loops.

Foster a shared vision and mission-aligned culture across geographically dispersed sites and teams.

Qualifications

Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in youth development, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Significant experience managing residential / overnight or 24 / 7 programs strongly preferred.

Proven track record in leading high-impact, equity-centered programs and multi-site teams.

Expertise in strategic planning, staff development, program design, and evaluation.

Demonstrated success in managing large budgets and aligning resources with outcomes.

Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Experience navigating complex compliance and regulatory frameworks, especially related to youth and residential camp programming.

Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $245,000 - $257,000, commensurate with experience. The Fresh Air Fund offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and employer and employee retirement contribution plans.

The Fresh Air Fund requires all camp staff (including the Chief Program Officer) to be fully vaccinated against polio and MMR, or to provide reasonable accommodation, before employment begins.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit an Chief Program Officer application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No calls or recruiters, please.

The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.

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Chief Program Officer • New York, NY, US