[Hiring] Vice President of Programs @Foster America

Role Description

Foster America seeks an experienced executive to serve as Vice President of Programs — a senior leader who believes the child welfare system can and must be fundamentally different and who will help drive the next chapter of a dynamic, systems-change nonprofit at a time of strategic growth.

The VP of Programs will be an engaged leader: present to the work, the teams implementing it, and the partners driving transformation in sites around the country. This senior leader will guide a diverse portfolio of place-based and capacity-building initiatives, including:

• OPT-In for Families partnership
• Place-based engagements in Colorado and Washington
• Fellowship circles and leadership development cohorts
• An emerging consultative practice

They will manage a high-performing team, enabling quality and consistency across the portfolio by serving as a thought partner and problem-solver. Further, the VP of Programs will actively cultivate relationships across the country, forming partnerships with communities, government partners, and peer organizations where Foster America’s skills and experience can amplify local efforts to meaningfully advance change.

The VP of Programs will report to the Executive Director and will serve as a key member of Foster America's executive leadership team. They will play a central role in translating Foster America's new strategic plan and theory of change into operational reality — by building from current strengths, refining what works, testing what's new, and sustaining the rigorous partnerships that systems transformation requires.

Qualifications

• Track record of developing innovative approaches and securing the resources to sustain them
• Knowledge of the inner functioning of government
• Ability to center impacted community members as designers of solutions
• Deep child welfare expertise
• Influence to drive change
• Humility to keep learning

Requirements

• Drive Execution: Lead the execution and continuous refinement of Foster America's full program portfolio
• Operationalize Innovation: Translate strategic priorities into clear programmatic approaches
• Co-Design: Ensure our work integrates those with lived child welfare experience
• Performance & Accountability: Set clear direction and build accountability structures
• Growth-Oriented Coaching: Invest in the development of team members
• Partnership Strategy & Lifecycle: Oversee the end-to-end partnership lifecycle
• External Influence: Identify and cultivate trusting relationships with stakeholders
• Revenue Generation: Secure grants and contract agreements
• Executive Collaboration: Serve on Foster America's executive leadership team
• Development Alignment: Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams
• Operational Partnership: Partner with Finance and Operations on personnel matters

Benefits

• Salary range: $160,000 - $210,000
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical insurance
• Paid vacation and parental leave
• Paid holidays and sick time
• Commuter benefits
• Participation in a retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities

Background and Education

• More than a decade of experience in child welfare or related fields
• At least five years of managing people, departments, and budgets
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred