Chief of Program Operations

Position: Full time

Location: Remote, with extensive travel throughout the United States and periodic visits to Arlington, VA

Reports to: Executive Director

Summary: The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps seeks a seasoned senior leader to direct its national programs and field operations. Sea Cadets gives young Americans skills, knowledge, and confidence to become productive, responsible citizens with an appreciation for the maritime services. This position leads the functions that deliver that mission, bringing programs, growth, membership, and field operations together around clear priorities and measurable results. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief of Program Operations (CPO) supervises the Program Director, Strategic Growth Director, and field Area Commanders and is accountable for mission effectiveness. The successful candidate will bring substantial executive-level judgment, experience leading leaders, and the ability to translate strategy into consistent execution across a geographically dispersed, volunteer-supported organization. The CPO works in close partnership with other senior leaders to align program priorities with the people, budgets, technology, data, and organizational capacity required to execute them effectively. Major Responsibilities

• Lead national mission delivery. Set priorities across programs, growth, membership, and field operations; align work with organizational strategy and hold leaders accountable for results.
• Direct and develop senior leaders. Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Program Director, Strategic Growth Director, and Area Commanders. Establish clear expectations, strengthen coordination, and address performance issues.
• Execute organizational strategy. Share responsibility with executive team for strategic-plan development, implementation, progress monitoring, and results.
• Strengthen field operations. Build effective relationships with field and volunteer leaders, identify barriers, and improve consistency and support across units. Strengthen the recruitment, development, engagement, and retention of volunteer program leaders. Create effective feedback loops between field and HQ.
• Advance programs and growth. Lead development of major new program, training, growth, and field opportunities in coordination with the Executive Director. Improve participation, membership recruitment and retention, and the cadet experience. Oversee the standards, guidance, curricula, and training systems that support consistent, high-quality program delivery nationwide.
• Use data to improve performance. Establish meaningful performance expectations and use participation, membership, program, and field data to identify trends, address gaps, and guide decisions. Incorporate field input into continuous improvement.
• Promote youth safety and manage program risk. Ensure youth-safety requirements and program safeguards are incorporated into training, field guidance, and program delivery. Monitor implementation of program standards and address or escalate significant gaps and concerns in accordance with organizational policy.
• Align resources and manage risk. Partner with the HQ team on staffing, funding, capacity, technology, data, infrastructure, and administrative support required for program delivery. Ensure mission priorities are achievable and supported by appropriate resources.
• Build external partnerships. Identify and develop partnerships that expand program delivery, mission opportunities, and funding.
• Provide senior counsel and representation. Advise the Executive Director on program and field priorities, operating challenges, and major decisions. Provide reliable program and field-performance information for executive decision-making and board reporting. Represent Sea Cadets with partners and field leaders and maintain a strong national presence through travel.

Qualifications: This role requires a highly experienced leader with a demonstrated record of directing complex operations, developing senior talent, and delivering measurable organizational results. Required

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, operations, or organizational management, including at least seven years in senior leadership with responsibility for multiple functions and for supervising experienced managers or directors.
• A strong record of leading a geographically dispersed organization or substantial national or regional operation, including effective oversight of staff and volunteer leaders.
• Substantial experience in a nonprofit organization or working closely with nonprofits, with an understanding of mission-driven operations, volunteer engagement, resource constraints, and accountability to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic plans, leading organizational change, establishing accountability, and improving performance across functions.
• Experience overseeing substantial budgets and making sound staffing, resource, and operating decisions in partnership with finance and other organizational leaders.
• Proven ability to recruit, coach, and evaluate strong leaders; resolve difficult personnel and operational issues; and build trust while maintaining high standards.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the ability to make decisions independently, manage competing priorities, and address sensitive issues calmly and professionally.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to interpret performance data, communicate clearly with varied audiences, and develop productive external partnerships.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial senior leadership experience.
• Commitment to Sea Cadets’ mission, youth development, and safe, high-quality program delivery; ability to work effectively in a disciplined environment with staff, volunteers, cadets, and families.
• Ability to work effectively from a remote location and undertake extensive nationwide travel, including overnight trips and occasional evening and weekend commitments. Preferred
• Advanced education.
• Senior leadership experience in a national youth development organization, a membership association, or a nonprofit with a substantial volunteer network.
• Experience with maritime services, military organizations, youth leadership or training programs, or education and workforce development partnerships. If you have the qualifications and energy: Send resume and cover letter to

Compensation: $115,000-$125,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications