Chief Program OfficerFebruary 08, 2026

SRGH5

Located in:   Grand Rapids, MI

Pay: Competitive Executive Compensation, Based on Experience

Job Full Description:

Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives affected by homelessness through shelter, recovery, housing, and supportive services. The Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves as a key executive leader and member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer.

The CPO is responsible for translating MTM’s mission and strategic vision into high-impact, outcome-driven programs that promote recovery, spiritual growth, housing stability, and long-term transformation. This role provides strategic leadership, accountability, and execution across all program areas while ensuring excellence in program design, evaluation, compliance, and stewardship of resources.

The ideal candidate is a servant leader with strong programmatic and evaluative expertise, proven experience leading complex human services organizations, and a deep passion for faith-based mission work. The CPO ensures that MTM programs are trauma-informed, spiritually grounded, data-informed, and aligned with the organization’s commitment to dignity, safety, and transformational outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for the strategic direction, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of all MTM programs, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
• Establish clear program goals, intended outcomes, and impact measures across all service areas
• Design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program evaluation and outcomes measurement framework using qualitative and quantitative data
• Develop, monitor, and refine key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness, participant progress, long-term housing stability, and overall impact
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts focused on program outcomes, service delivery, systems, and processes
• Ensure programs are outcome-driven, trauma-informed, spiritually grounded, compliant with regulations, and responsive to the evolving needs of guests and participants
• Ensure consistent and effective use of the Client Management System to support case planning, outcome tracking, compliance, and reporting
• Oversee program budgets in partnership with the CEO, CFO, and finance team, ensuring responsible stewardship, fiscal accountability, and alignment with funding requirements and sustainability goals
• Provide executive leadership to all program areas, ensuring the right leaders and staff are in the right roles through effective hiring, development, coaching, and performance management
• Build and lead high-performing, mission-driven teams that foster collaboration, accountability, and staff engagement
• Ensure case management, clinical services, and recovery programming support not only housing placement, but long-term housing stability, recovery, and success
• Ensure MTM’s unique approach to meeting guests and participants at their Spiritual Point of Need is upheld through strong Chaplain and Ministry engagement
• Lead relationships with public agency funders, external partners, and community stakeholders to support program success, compliance, and growth
• Partner closely with Development and Public Relations to communicate program outcomes, impact, and stories that support fundraising and community engagement
• Pursue, manage, and oversee government grants, contracts, and other funding opportunities in collaboration with Development
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Human Resources, and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure facilities, staffing, systems, and organizational practices effectively support program goals
• Serve as a key internal and external representative for MTM programs, including participation in board meetings, community planning efforts, and partner engagements as delegated by the CEO

• Faith & Mission Commitment

  As a Christian mission, the CPO is expected to:

  • Demonstrate an active, personal Christian faith
  • Support and participate in the spiritual life of the organization
  • Uphold Mel Trotter Ministries’ Statement of Faith, mission, and core values

Schedule:

• Full-Time, Exempt

Job Experience

• 7–10+ years of senior-level leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, healthcare, or ministry settings
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-program or multi-site service organizations
• Strong experience in program strategy, evaluation, outcome measurement, and continuous quality improvement
• Proven ability to develop and manage program budgets and align resources with strategic priorities
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated alignment with Christian faith and Mel Trotter Ministries’ mission and values

Preferred

• Experience in homelessness services, housing programs, recovery, or community-based social services
• Experience managing government grants, contracts, and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrated success in organizational change management and systems development

Job Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)

Grand Rapids, MI
Susan Delauter
Susan.Delauter@SRGexpress.com
616-608-9681

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