The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a member of the senior leadership team and has a seat at the table to shape the strategic direction, priorities, and growth of the Center. The CPO leads programmatic vision, oversees the development and execution of our core work (i.e., supporting institutional adoption and implementation of the Good Food Purchasing Program), and ensures that the Center’s programs remain high-impact, responsive to partners, and aligned with our organizational values and equity commitments.

The CPO oversees the Program Team, which serves as the primary liaison with institutional participants (e.g., municipal agencies, school districts, hospitals), co-developing short- and long-term implementation strategies informed by data to improve their Program performance, and identifying opportunities for collective action regionally and nationally. The Program team works in close coordination with our Ecosystem Engagement, Policy, Communications, Development, and Core Mission Support teams to empower institutional leaders and community partners to build just, sustainable food systems, using procurement as a lever for change.

This is a remote role that requires occasional domestic travel. The Center for Good Food Purchasing is based in the Bay Area of California.

Success in This Role Looks Like (within the first 12-18 months):

• Core program strategies (institutional support, verification, data analytics, technical assistance, partnerships) are integrated under a unified operating model that is innovative and responsive to evolving food system challenges and opportunities.
• Participating institutions show measurable improvement in their alignment with the Good Food Purchasing values (e.g., increasing purchases in local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, nutrition) and consistently meet or exceed their performance targets.
• Develop and launch a learning agenda and dashboard that turns data into decisions and concrete program changes. The Program Team will publish at least two external pieces (e.g., briefs, webinars, or conference sessions) to share learnings with the field.
• Program team members are supported in their day-to-day work and professional growth, receive regular coaching and professional development, understand how their individual roles and team contribute to our organizational goals and mission, and have the conditions they need to thrive in their roles.
• The Center expands its reach and influence — engaging with more cities/institutions, deepening our network of partners, and elevating the Center’s visibility and thought leadership in values-based procurement and equitable food systems.