About this role
Deputy Chief Program Officer -PRO Region
Position Title: Deputy Chief Program Officer- PRO Region
Department: Program
Office: Philadelphia Regional Office
Reports To: Chief Program Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Status: Full-Time
Organizational Overview:
ASCI is a mission-driven organization committed to advancing excellence in kinship care and strengthening outcomes for youth and families. Guided by a vision to be the nations foremost thought leader on kinship care, ASCI works to ensure all youth have the opportunity to grow into responsible adults while helping to break cycles of abuse and addiction. The organization supports kinship caregivers, youth, and the broader child welfare triad through high-quality services, advocacy, education, and innovative programs. ASCIs culture emphasizes collaboration, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement in pursuit of lasting, positive impact for children, families, and communities.
Everything we do at A Second Chance, Inc. is in support of our five overarching goals:
- To educate communities to prevent the cycle of child drug and alcohol abuse
- To provide children and families with a kinship alternative as a primary placement
option
- To extend knowledge gained and expand organizational capacity with traditional and
non-traditional constituents
- To enhance long-term financial security
- To maintain state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and operations
Position Summary:
The Deputy Chief Program Officer (Deputy CPO) is the senior leader of the Philadelphia Regional Office and a key member of the agency's program leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Program Officer, the Deputy CPO oversees all regional program operations, staff, and partnerships, so that kinship children, youth, and caregivers receive high-quality, family-centered services that keep them connected to family and community.
The Deputy CPO turns agency strategy into regional results. They make sure services meet contract, licensing, and quality standards, build a strong, supported workforce, and represent A Second Chance Inc. with county partners, courts, and the community. The role is also a planned leadership backup: the Deputy CPO acts for the Chief Program Officer when needed and is a key part of the agency's leadership continuity plan.
Key Responsibilities:
Regional Leadership and Operations
- Provide day-to-day executive leadership for all programs, services, and operations of the regional office.
- Turn the agency's strategic plan and program priorities into regional goals, work plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Oversee regional staffing, caseload distribution, workflow, and office operations so services stay efficient, consistent, and responsive.
- Work with the Sr. Managing Director HR, CFO, and Business Technology Services leadership on regional personnel, budget, facilities, and technology needs.
- Keep a visible, accessible leadership presence in the regional office.
Program Quality and Outcomes
- Make sure kinship care, foster care, permanency, and family support services follow best practice and the agency's family-connection approach.
- Monitor program performance data, case reviews, and outcome measures (safety, permanency, well-being, and placement stability); lead continuous quality improvement efforts.
- Identify service gaps and new needs in the region, and recommend program improvements or new initiatives to the Chief Program Officer.
- Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practice in every regional program.
Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure regional programs comply with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulations, county contract requirements, licensing standards, accreditation requirements, and agency policies.
- Prepare for and lead the region through audits, licensing inspections, contract monitoring, and quality reviews; oversee corrective action plans when needed.
- Make sure documentation, case records, and reports are accurate, timely, and complete.
- Report critical incidents, risks, and emerging issues to the Chief Program Officer quickly.
Staff Leadership and Development
- Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate regional program leaders and staff, in partnership with Human Resources.
- Build a workplace culture of accountability, respect, wellness, and professional growth.
- Identify and develop emerging leaders in the region to strengthen the agency's leadership pipeline and backup coverage.
- Make sure staff receive required training, clinical supervision, and ongoing professional development.
- Encourage staff voice and engagement, including participation in agency committees such as the Agency Task Action Committee.
Fiscal Stewardship
- Help develop and manage the regional program budget in partnership with the
CFO and Chief Program Officer .
- Monitor regional spending, productivity, and contract use to support financial sustainability.
- Support grant and contract reporting, renewals, and new funding opportunities for the region.
Partnerships and Community Representation
- Represent A Second Chance with county children and youth agencies, courts, schools, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders in the region.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with county partners and caseworkers so referrals and services run smoothly.
- Advance the agency's mission and public message about the value of kinship care and family connection.
Executive Backup and Leadership Continuity
- Act on behalf of the Chief Program Officer when assigned, including during absences or transitions.
- Work closely with the other regional Deputy CPO to keep practice, policy, and quality consistent across regions.
- Take part in program leadership meetings, strategic planning, and agency-wide initiatives.
- Provide calm, decisive leadership in high-pressure situations, using sound judgement, emotional intelligence, and a steady focus on solutions and organizational priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements: Education
- Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required.
- Clinical licensure (LSW/LCSW or equivalent) preferred.
Experience
- At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in child welfare, kinship care, foster care, or family services.
- At least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience, including managing managers.
- Experience with county contracts, licensing, and regulatory compliance in Pennsylvania strongly preferred.
- Experience managing program budgets and using data to improve outcomes.
Skills & Knowledge
- Provides strategic leadership in program planning and execution, utilizing data-driven forecasting, trend analysis, and innovative approaches to anticipate organizational needs, optimize program performance, and support sustainable growth.
- Thorough knowledge of child welfare practice, kinship care, permanency planning, and trauma-informed care.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, including in crisis situations.
- Able to motivate, develop, and hold teams accountable while supporting staff well-being.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public representation.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.
- Comfortable with case management systems, Microsoft Office, and data reporting tools.
- Able to manage several priorities and meet regulatory and contract deadlines.
Certifications & Requirements
- Current Act 33, State Police, and FBI Clearances
- TB Test & Physical
- Valid Pennsylvania Drivers License
- Access to a registered, insured vehicle
- Available for flexible schedule, as required for emergent business needs after hours including evenings or weekends
- Occasional travel within the local city and county, with travel to surrounding counties as predicated by business needs; including travel for business meetings throughout the country
Physical Demands:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods in office, remote, and occasional field settings
- Ability to move about the work environment, including between offices, meeting spaces, and common areas
- Ability to travel as needed for meetings, trainings, or business purposes
- Ability to lift, carry, and transport work materials, files, and small office equipment up to 20 lbs. as needed
- Sufficient vision, hearing, and communication abilities to perform typical office, telephone, and virtual work tasks
This job description does not constitute an employment contract and may be revised to meet changing organizational needs.
Second Chance is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious; national origin or ancestry; sex; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation disability; marital status; familial status; age (40 or over); or use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability of any individual or independent contractor or because of the disability of an individual with whom the person is known to have an association; or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.