Careers at WPA

The Women's Prison Association (WPA) is a New York City-based not-for-profit that prioritizes trauma-informed care, supports vulnerable women and their children as they navigate incarceration and homelessness, and provides clients with stability, security, support, and hope for a limitless and fulfilling future. Our mission is to support systems-involved women as they navigate their journey towards freedom, safety, and independence, and we strive to create a diverse team that delivers outstanding services.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of systems involvement and race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status. Faithful to our mission, all of our employees share in these commitments as a guide to engage one another with dignity and respect.

Position Description:

A key thought partner to the CEO, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a member of the executive team and is tasked with overseeing the strategic and day-to-day direction of WPA’s programs. The CPO leads all program innovation, design, implementation and impact measurement, while providing motivational and inspirational leadership to all organizational staff, with a focus on the program team. A leader with a steady, objective presence and a commitment to continuous improvement, the ideal candidate thrives on analyzing complex information and ensuring processes are optimized for accuracy and efficiency, while also taking ownership, being results-driven, and delivering impact.

The CPO is a lead participant in the organization’s strategic planning and decision-making and helps to ensure that program strategy and delivery advance the overall mission and strategic direction. The CPO reports directly to the CEO and oversees a team that is currently comprised of 37 staff members currently delivering: alternative to incarceration, reentry planning, workforce development, prison-based services, housing, legal services, and clinical services to WPA’s clients. The CPO will engage the Board of Directors under the direction of the CEO, providing reports at Board meetings. The CPO will also engage with external partners and stakeholders to ensure that WPA programming is consistently evolving to meet the needs of our clients to reduce incarceration, improve public safety, and offer meaningful opportunities for thriving.

WPA seeks a CPO that remains focused on the details necessary for success today (and tomorrow) to accomplish key organizational programmatic and strategic goals. The ideal candidate has an innovative and strategic approach to program development and management, motivates and leads a high-performing team, and effectively manages a variety of administrative and operational duties. The ideal candidate has superior leadership and decision-making skills and business acumen, excels at strategic thinking, is results driven and has strong program management skills. This position consistently projects an enthusiastic, positive approach that contributes to a collegial and closely-knit organizational culture, both at the executive level as well as with the larger teams. The ideal candidate can work independently on projects from conception to completion, can successfully work under pressure, and handle confidential matters with discretion.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of ten (10) years of programming and management experience supervising teams. This candidate will also have extensive experience developing and leading programs supported by government contracts and private funding, experience with Salesforce or other CRM or HER in client services context.

Essential Functions:

  • Leadership and Program Strategy
    • Act as a thought partner to the CEO on all aspects of organizational strategy and day-to-day operations, including but not limited to the organization’s programs.
    • As a member of the executive team, provide holistic strategic and operational oversight to the organization and its employees.
    • In partnership with all senior leadership, play a lead role in the overall development, strategic planning, service delivery, and management of WPA’s programs.
    • Directly supervise key program areas, including but not limited to alternative to incarceration, reentry planning, workforce development, prison-based services, housing, legal services, and clinical service, working closely with senior program staff to build their skills and confidence so that they can develop and deliver impactful, relevant, and innovative programming.
    • Establish annual program and staff goals and objectives and track results against these goals as well as accountability protocols, ensuring that the expectations of funders, partners, constituents, clients, and other stakeholders are consistently met.
    • Oversee effective program operations, including maintaining up to date program policies, protocols, and processes that ensure equity and safety during service delivery.
    • Ensure sufficient risk mitigation within, and adequate staffing of, all programs, across all
      sites and hours of operations; lead, or appropriately delegate, the response to any
      program-related emergencies.
    • Alongside the executive and senior team, serve as an internal and external spokesperson and bridge-builder on WPA’s programs and systems change work. 
  • Evaluation, Impact Analysis, and Innovation:
    • Consistently explore opportunities for program focus, expansion and innovation by staying abreast of key gender-responsive decarceration, reentry, clinical, housing, and workforce program development trends and issues. Identify and incubate new program opportunities driven by program data and through external trends and issues.
    • Ensure timely data collection and reporting so that all staff have one source of data.
    • Analyze, assess, and continuously improve programs based on data collected and implement corrective measures if needed.
    • Oversee artificial intelligence innovation at the organization.
  • Training and Staff Management:
    • Determine staffing plans to achieve program goals and objectives and participate in hiring decisions for new program staff, ensuring alignment with WPA’s core mission, competencies and values.
    • Onboard and immerse new hires and promoted team members, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to successfully drive key initiatives and achieve strategic goals.
    • Identify skills gaps and needs and ensure training opportunities that will develop program staff capacity to deliver impactful programming.
    • Champion a culture of accountability and growth through effective performance management, ensuring teams are supported, developed, and aligned with organizational goals.
    • Organize program staff offsite events to develop team cohesion and connection with another and the work.
  • Fundraising and Fiscal Management:
    • Partner with the CEO, supporting fundraising efforts, including grant concept development, writing, reporting, and meetings with funders, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
    • Partner with the CEO, CFOO, and members of the program senior team to prepare an annual program budget and manage effectively within this budget.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Has a deep passion for WPA's mission and vision to provide the services and support for women to shift resources from punishment to prevention, addressing the root causes of incarceration.
  • At least ten (10) years of senior management experience overseeing a team or department, preferably from a nonprofit organization, with the ability to lead program and data metrics
    functions.
  • Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach senior-level staff to manage and develop high-performance teams and implement program strategies.
  • Analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals.
  • Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent public speaking skills.
  • Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to operational management.
  • A zest for collaboration with every member of the WPA team, external partners and stakeholders, vendors, and donors.
  • Deep curiosity, humility, relationship-builder, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
  • A commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and passion for social justice and the organization’s greater mission.

Position Details:
This is a full-time position. The Chief Program Officer reports to the President/CEO, will supervise all program directors and oversee all services and supports. The ideal candidate should be prepared to spend 50-75% of the work week in office, on site.

Compensation:
Salary range is $160,000 - $170,000, commensurate with education and experience. WPA offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, employer paid dental insurance, extremely generous paid time off, paid leave, as well as:

  • Employee Assistance Program via Telus
  • Direct Deposit Money Paycard
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tax Deferred Commuting Benefits
  • 529 College Savings Plan
  • 403b Retirement Plan
  • PTO between Christmas and New Year’s
  • “Alcott HR Marketplace” Employee Discount Program
  • “Aspiring Professionals” Scholarship Program

For background information about the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), click here.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@wpaonline.org. You must include "Chief Programs Officer” in the subject line of your email.

Apply Today

Position Description:

The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) is at a critical juncture in its 180-year history, with dynamic new leadership, new ventures such as transitional and permanent housing on the horizon to fill critical service gaps, and a forthcoming strategic planning process to ensure and guide continued growth and expansion of services. Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Finance and Operating Officer (CFOO) will be a key strategic leader overseeing financial outcomes and management, housing development and property management, and the overall implementation of the organization’s forthcoming strategy.  

The CFOO will be a member of the organization’s executive team, will be a key thought partner to the CEO, and will provide a strategic financial vision for the organization. This person will provide direction and leadership to those involved with the finance and real estate functions of the organization, fostering a culture of effective communication, accountability, transparency, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be an exemplary manager and team builder, dedicated to effectively structuring and leading teams, developing talent, and building strong relationships within and across teams. The CFOO will continuously and adeptly optimize systems and processes, helping teams work more efficiently.  

Finance: The CFOO is a key strategic advisor to the CEO and Board, with the primary responsibility of guiding the organization’s financial strategy and planning to ensure financial health and sustainability. The CFOO must be a keen strategist, maintaining a long-term and strategic view of WPA’s finances.  The CFOO will directly manage the relationship with WPA’s outsourced financial management services provider, to ensure that WPA is able to leverage and maximize financial resources for current and anticipated programs, and to help ensure a robust, sustainable future for WPA. The CFOO will also directly supervise a Contracts team (Director of Contract Management, Contract Associates) and, with the outsourced financial management services provider, the team of auditors.  

The CFOO will be responsible for assessing financial performance against annual budget and long-term objectives and providing actionable, strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis. The CFOO will also be responsible for identifying and mitigating potential financial risks. The CFOO must be able to synthesize financial data and metrics into a clear narrative of what has transpired, what is currently happening, and what possibilities are in the future.  

Housing Development and Real Estate Operations: The CFOO will oversee the organization’s growing housing and real estate portfolio and oversee the critical property management for the organization. Specifically, the CFOO will be responsible for managing the operational functions of the organization’s physical assets. The CFOO will be responsible for implementing strategies to improve the operational efficiency of the organization’s existing and future buildings, doing so in alignment with the organization’s overall mission and strategic goals.  

Operationalizing the Strategy: This will require essential and strong collaboration with each member of the Executive Leadership Team and staff throughout the organization to translate WPA’s strategy into clear organization-wide goals and operating plans that support the organization’s growth strategy. Specifically, the CFOO will partner with the CEO and Data and Quality Management Specialist to develop organization-wide metrics to assess the success and progress of our impact. Equally critical will be a close partnership with the Chief Program Officer to provide guidance and support developing implementation plans. 

 

Responsibilities: 

Financial Management 

  • Provides strategic financial management for WPA, including financial planning, analysis and reporting. 
  • Manages financial reporting to the Board’s finance and investment committees and supports the work of these committees. 
  • Manages relationship with outsourced financial management services provider to ensure timely and accurate financial management by the provider, including maintaining WPA’s financial books and records, managing cash flow and performing the following functions: accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget development, financial grants management, annual audit process coordination, 990 filing and other tax-related regulatory functions, banking and other financial management functions. 
  • Partners with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Team to assess financial performance against annual budget and long-term objectives, providing actionable, strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.  
  • Supervise the Contracts Team (Director of Contract Management, Contract Associates) to ensure timely, accurate performance of all contract management responsibilities. 
  • Identify potential financial risks and implement controls to mitigate these risks while optimizing opportunities for growth.  
  • Work closely with Chief Program Officer to ensure continued clear and effective communication between program staff and fiscal team.  
  • Ensure a strong system of oversight and administration for all funding sources, including government contracts, grants, and foundation funding, through accurate and detailed record keeping and grant reporting.  

Housing Development and Property Management Operations 

  • Develop and manage WPA’s real estate and housing strategic plan. 
  • Manage housing development process, including forming project teams, liaison to housing development consultants, design professionals, government and private funders, housing development partners, etc. 
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures regarding functionality, maintenance, and social design of existing and future facilities. 
  • Report to CEO and Board regarding housing acquisition and development projects, including planning, development, and implementation. 
  • Oversee lease negotiations, ensure favorable terms, and manage relationships with landlords. 
  • Oversee property management of organization’s facilities, including property and asset management, and facility operations. 
  • Develop and manage capital budgets and systems for capital reserve management and growth. 
  • Manage external property-related vendors including contractors, architects, and other consultants in support of property management and strategic facilities plan.  
  • Assess the staffing models of the residential facilities, identify areas of improvement in the organizational infrastructure to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.  Ensure essential functions within the identified roles support operational and programmatic needs, optimize resource allocation, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability across departments. 
  • Manage adherence to all regulatory requirements. 

Strategic Implementation

  • Serve as an essential thought partner to the CEO, executive team, and partners throughout the organization in developing and strengthening the organization’s strategic plan. 
  • Partner with the CEO, CPO, and Data and Quality Management Specialist to develop organization-wide metrics to assess the success and progress of our internal impact as we develop the operations infrastructure to support our strategy. 
  • Provide strategic operational guidance and operational planning support as new initiatives are developed and implemented 
  • Other duties as assigned. 

 

Qualifications:

  • Exceptional strategic financial acumen, with the ability to interpret and apply understanding of key financial indicators to support high-quality decision-making.  
  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in finance and strong knowledge of property and facilities management. 
  • Strong analytical and financials modeling and forecasting skills as well as knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nonprofits; if coming from the for-profit sector, significant nonprofit board experience or the equivalent is required.  
  • Experience managing contracts and grants from New York City and New York State government agencies.  
  • Strong understanding of New York State and New York City housing programs, particularly supportive housing programs and housing development.  
  • Demonstrated commitment to the WPA mission of serving communities, families, and individuals affected by the criminal legal system. 
  • A keen perception of the racial, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics of underserved communities, with a particular familiarity with issues facing systems-involved women. 
  • Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the intellectual depth and maturity to work with executive leaders, staff, and vendors across WPA.  
  • Proven track record of strong change management, with demonstrable experience in methodically tracking progress and plans to achieve short- and long-term goals. 
  • Deep experience leading and managing diverse teams, serving as a coach and mentor to management staff in a range of functional areas, particularly around giving constructive feedback, developing supervisory skills, assessing, and supporting professional growth of staff. 
  • Deep experience developing strong partnerships in government and with non-profit organizations across a variety of sectors. 
  • Outstanding organizational and project management skills with an overall execution orientation and high attention to detail. 

 

Compensation:

Compensation for this role is between $160,000 - $175,000 commensurate with education and experience. WPA offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, employer paid dental insurance, extremely generous paid time off, paid leave, as well as: 

  • Employee Assistance Program via Telus 
  • Direct Deposit Money Paycard 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts 
  • Tax Deferred Commuting Benefits 
  • 529 College Savings Plan 
  • 403b Retirement Plan 
  • PTO between Christmas and New Year’s 
  • “Alcott HR Marketplace” Employee Discount Program 
  • “Aspiring Professionals” Scholarship Program 

 

WPA strongly values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. WPA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religious or political affiliation or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law. Individuals with criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@wpaonline.org. You must include "Chief Finance and Operating Officer” in the subject line of your email.

Apply Today

Position Description:

The Resident Monitor, SPHH (Part-time) plays a critical role in the daily orderly operation of our Manhattan-based family shelter. The role will maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, staff and visitors at WPA’s DHS-funded 28-family shelter for women and children with/without criminal legal involvement.  Resident Monitors also work closely with residents on supporting their day-to-day independent living plan goals, teaching and modeling strategies for living independently in the community.

The Resident Monitor, SPHH (Part-time) will be organized, technically savvy, adaptable, and enjoy collaborating with a team in providing support and essential services to families residing in temporary shelter.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide clerical support by answering telephone inquiries, data entry, light typing, filing and sorting of mail.
  • Conduct periodic emergency fire drills under direction of Operations Manager.
  • Adherence to all policies and procedures developed by DHS.
  • Intervene and diffuse crisis situations as needed.
  • Participate in required training and pass certification, including CPR/First Aid Certification and FDNY Fire Safety Coordinator for Shelters (F-80) and FDNY Fire Guard (F-02).
  • Monitor all residents and staff entering and leaving the building and log activities in the internal communication logbook.
  • Support clients register, check-in, monitor, assess behavior and overall well-being.
  • Conduct daily security and safety walkthroughs and monitor security camera feeds.
  • Complies with 42CFR confidentiality and HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
  • Provide clerical support by answering telephone inquiries, data entry, light typing, filing and sorting of mail
  • Help with provision of on-site recreational activities
  • Perform any other department or agency related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma/GED strongly preferred; BA preferred.
  • NYS Security Guard Licensed
  • In possession of FDNY Fire Safety Coordinator for Shelters (F-80) and FDNY Fire Guard (F-02) or able to secure within 90 days
  • Ability to interact with a diverse population challenged by issues such as substance abuse, incarceration, HIV/ AIDS, mental health, domestic abuse and communication barriers
  • At least 2 years of documented relevant human services experience
  • Certificate in First Aid, CPR or ability to obtain certificate
  • Ability to effectively analyze situations quickly and apply sound judgment
  • Ability to work and build rapport with others
  • Good documentation skills, computer literate or willingness to learn; knowledge of CARES database a plus
  • Ability to distinguish boundary issues and transference issues with clients
  • Excellent written and verbal skills
  • Must be highly organized, process driven, detail oriented, solution oriented, and able to work under pressure while managing conflicting priorities and meeting/coordinating both short and long-term deadlines.
  • Strong written, verbal, and training interpersonal skills.
  • Must have professional maturity and maintain confidentiality around all participant records.
  • Must believe in WPAs mission, with a passion to serve underserved populations.
  • A keen perception of the racial, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics of underserved communities, with a particular familiarity with issues facing systems-involved women.

Compensation:

Salary range is $20/hour commensurate with certifications, education, and experience.

WPA strongly values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. WPA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religious or political affiliation or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law. Individuals with criminal justice involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@wpaonline.org. You must include "Resident Monitor, SPHH (Part-time)” in the subject line of your email.

Apply Today