Chief program officer vs executive director

The differences between chief program officers and executive directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a chief program officer, becoming an executive director takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive director has an average salary of $127,956, which is higher than the $108,110 average annual salary of a chief program officer.

The top three skills for a chief program officer include human resources, oversight and project management. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.

Chief program officer vs executive director overview

	Chief Program Officer	Executive Director
Yearly salary	$108,110	$127,956
Hourly rate	$51.98	$61.52
Growth rate	28%	-8%
Number of jobs	150,634	97,471
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	47	49
Years of experience	6	4

What does a chief program officer do?

The chief program officer (CPO) is responsible for developing, implementing, and supervising a non-profit organization's programming, such as creating an outreach program or job training courses for the homeless. They seek advice from the CEO and other executive managers at the organization on how to enhance the existing programming and services and coordinate new programs. Other duties and responsibilities include managing program implementation and funding, as well as giving guidance to program coordinators, staff, and volunteers. Additionally, they seek feedback and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

What does an executive director do?

Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.

Chief program officer vs executive director salary

Chief program officers and executive directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Program Officer	Executive Director
Average salary	$108,110	$127,956
Salary range	Between $68,000 And $171,000	Between $76,000 And $213,000
Highest paying City	Albany, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New Hampshire	New York
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Genentech
Best paying industry	Transportation	Finance

Differences between chief program officer and executive director education

There are a few differences between a chief program officer and an executive director in terms of educational background:

	Chief Program Officer	Executive Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Chief program officer vs executive director demographics

Here are the differences between chief program officers' and executive directors' demographics:

	Chief Program Officer	Executive Director
Average age	47	49
Gender ratio	Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8%	Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	10%

Differences between chief program officer and executive director duties and responsibilities

Chief program officer example responsibilities.

Manage implementation of referrals, coordinate assignment of new physicians and create support network for transitioning patients during clinic closure.
Facilitate PMO strategy sessions and encourage PMO support.
Conduct fee analyses relate to Medicaid, Medicare and third party revenue sources.
Maintain federal and state medical regulations including Medicare and Medicaid.
Prepare program and budget estimates for reports for senior managers responsible for executive oversight of strategic war planning system.
Provide oversight to the integration of other U.S. governmental agencies into the USEUCOM exercise program including representatives serving in non-governmental organizations.

Executive director example responsibilities.

Manage 10 department heads who supervise a staff of 350 FTE's.
Develop and manage sales teams to assure the highest ROI on the client's investment.
Create and manage a call center for lead programs to support the prospecting activity needs of the FSR.
Freelance blogging to increase website views and ultimately to turn organic content into leads and ROI for small businesses.
Market and manage group and individual insurance programs including health, life, disability, long term care and annuities.
Major accomplishment are to achieve initial NAEYC accreditation.

Chief program officer vs executive director skills

Common chief program officer skills

Human Resources, 11%
Oversight, 10%
Project Management, 7%
Risk Management, 7%
Strategic Plan, 6%
Professional Development, 5%

Common executive director skills

Oversight, 10%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 5%
Financial Management, 5%
Business Development, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Chief Program Officer vs Executive Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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