Apply on Employer Site

Walker & Associates Consulting · 3 weeks ago

Rising Sun Center for Opportunity: Chief Program Officer APPLY BY: January 16, 2026

Oakland, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$153K/yr - $193K/yr

Walker & Associates Consulting is assisting Rising Sun Center for Opportunity in their search for a Chief Program Officer (CPO) to lead workforce development programs focused on climate justice and economic mobility. The CPO will oversee program strategy, enhance partnerships, and ensure alignment with the organization's mission while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

ConsultingManagement ConsultingMarketing

Responsibilities

Serving as a member of the executive and director teams, providing trusted thought partnership to the CEO, cross-functional peers, and Board on program strategy, scaling, and organizational direction, ensuring strong leadership-level collaboration, alignment, and clarity of program priorities

Fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization and meaningfully contributing to the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and belonging

Building trust, confidence, and shared vision and systems for goal setting, performance management, evaluation, and outcomes that nurture a high-performing programs team dedicated to achieving the mission

Directly supervising and coaching three program directors, nurturing their leadership, confidence, and collaboration

Supporting organizational cohesion across sites, teams, and functions

Providing strategic leadership and oversight of all workforce development programs: designing, implementing, assessing, and continually enhancing effective programs

Creating a roadmap for measurable program outcomes tied to family-sustaining employment that meets the evolving needs of youth, women, individuals in re-entry, low-income communities, communities of color, and other impacted communities

Ensuring the team meets and/or exceeds programmatic targets tied to funding and mission impact, and complies with any reporting requirements

Working closely with program directors to deepen and expand existing programs, leveraging cutting-edge approaches and emerging trends in economic equity, workforce development, and climate resilience

Leading program growth and systems development to support increased scale, effectiveness, and sustainability, including future exploration of new pilots and programs

Enhancing Rising Sun’s programmatic and community leadership presence, particularly in the Central Valley, overseeing strategic geographic expansion of existing programs, and supporting staff to establish new partnerships and build a robust network of support

Deepening and expanding external partnerships with unions, employers, community organizations, and public agencies

Developing new and strengthening existing funding partnerships and bringing innovative ideas to expand the funding base

Initial priorities for the CPO will include program immersion and relationship-building as well as establishing clear priorities and systems and positioning programs for funding expansion that will enable staff, programs, and participants to thrive

Qualification

Workforce development programsProgram evaluationScalingEquity-driven frameworksClimate policy expertiseCommunity engagement initiativesAnalytical problem-solvingPeople leadershipStrategic thought partnershipCommunicationCollaboration skills

Required

Significant experience creating, leading, evaluating, and scaling effective workforce or other closely related programs – ideally inclusive of environmental justice, climate policy, or clean energy – that address the challenges facing low-income communities, communities of color, youth, women, and individuals in reentry from incarceration

Proven track record of successfully implementing workforce development programs and initiatives that drive meaningful impact and positive change that have led to measurable economic mobility and family sustaining careers

Proven track record of actively addressing climate and economic inequity challenges through strategic program development and implementation, policy advocacy, and/or community engagement initiatives

Experience leading organizations through programmatic growth, scaling, or geographic expansion

Strong knowledge of equity-driven frameworks and practices, with the ability to integrate them into program design and implementation effectively

Familiarity with the unique needs, strengths, and aspirations of diverse populations, coupled with a commitment to fostering participatory and equitable solutions

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and partner with community members, stakeholders, and organizations representing low-income communities and communities of color

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, coupled with a forward-thinking mindset to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the field

Demonstrated people leadership experience managing senior leaders with the ability to build, inspire, coach, develop, and unify a high-performing multidisciplinary team

Residency in California or the ability to move; be able to travel to and work onsite at Rising Sun's office in Oakland and/or Stockton as required or requested

Ability to pass a background check: some findings may be waived on a case-by-case basis

Preferred

Familiarity or expertise in working with youth ages 15+ and/or with union labor, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or other programmatic pathways into trades strongly preferred

Experience navigating government funding, including multi-year grants and renewals, and/or private-public partnership initiatives with complex compliance and reporting requirements preferred

Knowledge of the energy efficiency regulatory environment in California is a plus

Preferably based in the Bay Area or Central Valley, with openness to exceptional candidates outside of our core markets with strong local relationships who are looking to relocate

Experience working in or with Central Valley stakeholders is a plus

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees

50% coverage for dependent insurance premiums

Generous paid time off, personal leave, and parental leave with 17 PTO days/year that increase each year until year 10

18 Holidays/year (includes 2 floating holidays and a week of closure during winter)

4 Restorative days/year

Your Birthday off every year

403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match after one year

Monthly internet and phone reimbursement, totaling $100

40% pay from Rising Sun for 12 weeks of parental leave to supplement California’s state disability leave and paid family leave payments

8 weeks of paid sabbatical after year 7

Annual professional development budget

Financial advising through Stonebridge Financial Group

Access to mental health services and resources through SpringHealth

Company

Walker & Associates Consulting

Walker & Associates Consulting is a Black- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm promoting equitable community impact.

Founded in 1994