Chief Program Officer
: Job Details :

Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity

Mission:

To connect, value, and empower people, businesses, and communities.

Vision:

An inclusive, accessible, prosperous, and resilient Harris County economy.

What you will do at the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity:

The Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (DEEO) seeks a dynamic individual who will serve as a critical member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will be a strategic thought partner who supports the Executive Director with effective decision-making, program management, and strategic initiatives. The CPO's primary focus is to support the ED and ELT in achieving DEEO's mission by focusing on critical organizational needs and enhancing the ED's effectiveness, ensuring the ED can focus on the most impactful tasks and decisions. In addition, the incumbent will manage stakeholder, community, and intergovernmental relationships for the Executive Director.

The CPO must exhibit a commitment to advocating for equity and inclusion in all DEEO's operations, which include economic development, supplier diversity, worker rights & protections, early childhood initiatives, workforce, and entrepreneurship.

This is a highly visible position that has a significant impact on DEEO's mission, and the CPO will serve as the acting Executive Director in their absence.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Executive Support

• Attend key meetings and events (internally and externally) with or on behalf of the ED, ensuring timely follow-up on all action items. Develop and foster productive relationships with allied organizations, communities, and small businesses on behalf of the Executive Office. This will require complex negotiations with important and often confidential conversations.

• Work closely with the Executive Director to define program priorities, address challenges, and communicate risks and opportunities.

• Drive cross-functional projects and initiatives of strategic importance to the ED, including developing project plans, anticipating obstacles, and following through on all deliverables.

• Lead organizational change management as needed, including strategic planning and visioning across the department's various divisions.

• Lead and oversee the Court items process, ensuring a streamlined approach, training new staff, and meeting deadlines. Proactively address agenda questions with Court Offices and serve as the back up to the ED at Commissioners Court when necessary; continuously updates and improves the Court process as changes and new needs arise.

• Supervise and guide the Executive Assistant (EA) to manage the ED's calendar and troubleshoot as issues arise. Ensures the outcome is to maximize the ED's effectiveness while considering the needs of both internal and external stakeholders.

Communications

• Lead the preparation and follow-up for the ED's meetings and appearances, including developing a tracking plan to maximize their benefit to DEEO and prepare the ED for external engagements (e.g., conferences, symposiums, philanthropic partner events, and other occasions). Prepare meeting and event briefings, ensuring the ED is properly prepared for all engagements and anticipate needs before they arise. Includes drafting correspondence, presentations, and other materials on behalf of ED.

• Supervise the Sr. Manager of Communications, ensuring effective and consistent branding across DEEO's various programs; ensure the ELT's communication's needs are being met.

• Serve as a liaison to the ED's direct reports, ensuring strong accountability and an efficient flow of communication and looping the ED in when appropriate.

Program Management & Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Coordination

• Organize the ELT around their shared program and goals; collaborate with the ELT to develop organizational policies, procedures, and protocols related to programs.

• Foster a culture of high-performance, inclusivity, and accountability across the program teams with the end goal of enhancing the Director's ability to raise critical issues with the ED and receive timely responses, guidance, and decisions.

• Cultivate relationships and establish partnerships between different program areas, encouraging knowledge sharing, resource utilization, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Serve as a thought partner and resource to the division leaders to resolve strategic and structural questions facing the programmatic teams through better collaboration and resource use.

• Prepare agendas for ELT bi-weekly meetings and leadership meetings and plan specialized training and team retreats.

• May assist with special initiatives, program improvements, or policy changes for any of the divisions at the request of the ED.

Other Duties:

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.

• At its discretion, management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited University.

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in management or leadership roles, preferably in program leadership and development in the government sector.

• 5+ years of experience successfully supervising and managing staff and teams.

• Proven track record of building and managing projects from conception to completion.

• Experience liaising with high-level stakeholders, including board members, executives, philanthropic partners, and other decision-makers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Keen observer of and awareness of the environment and dynamics in the government sector throughout Houston, Texas, and the broader ecosystem.

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently, manage diverse projects, and maintain high standards of accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Strategic, cross-functional thinker with a strong desire to move towards implementation and action.

• Experience presenting to and influencing across an organization.

• High level of analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to investigate complex issues and make informed decisions when written guidelines are not available.

• Ability to anticipate needs, adjust plans, and resolve issues proactively.

• Strong communication skills, spoken, written, and presentational, are required, including having an Executive presence.

• Strong ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and organize time efficiently.

• Ability to listen and effectively communicate with peers, staff, elected officials, and partners while managing relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Fully proficient computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite, such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Licensure:

• Must have a valid Driver's License (TX upon hire).

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resume will not be accepted for qualifications.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | Regular

• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.

• This position offers flexibility for hybrid work in accordance with the County's telework policy. However, due to the significant nature of the role, there is not a set schedule of remote workdays. Instead, remote work will be determined on a week-by-week basis depending on the ED's schedules and the department's needs.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers.

• Lift up to 20 lbs.

• Typical office work only with limited physical demands.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Position: Executive Director

• Supervises Positions: 1) Sr. Manager of Communications and 2) Executive Assistant

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.