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What does a chief program officer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

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.

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Chief program officer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real chief program officer resumes:

  • 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.
  • Maintain full clinical psychologist privileges for adult and children to conduct neuropsychological assessments, individual and group therapy, and rehabilitation.
  • Tackle strategic challenge to bolster state chapters wrought with leadership inconstancy and often, first-time delegates, unprepare for national-level participation.
  • Develop and implement new marketing strategies via Facebook and company website.

Chief program officer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Chief Program Officers are proficient in Human Resources, Oversight, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Technical skills.

We break down the percentage of Chief Program Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Human Resources, 11%

    Selected Administrative responsibilities/accomplishments: * Worked closely with Executive Director and Human Resources to identify potential leaders and develop succession plans.

  • Oversight, 10%

    Prepared program and budget estimates for reports for senior managers responsible for executive oversight of strategic war planning system.

  • Project Management, 7%

    Trained project managers on the use of various Project Management Institute approved tools and techniques.

  • Risk Management, 7%

    Risk Management and Regulatory compliance.

  • Strategic Plan, 6%

    Developed and implemented processes for a four year Educational Master Plan aligned with institutional strategic planning and program review plans.

  • Professional Development, 5%

    Provide professional development opportunities to program staff to increase and expand skill and knowledge of evidence-based program evaluation.

"human resources," "oversight," and "project management" are among the most common skills that chief program officers use at work. You can find even more chief program officer responsibilities below, including:

Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a chief program officer to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what chief program officers do because "medical and health services managers must pay attention to detail." Additionally, a chief program officer resume shows how chief program officers use detail oriented: "produced and disseminated multiple inner and intra agency monthly reports detailing program management activities. "

Technical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of chief program officers is technical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday chief program officer duties, as "medical and health services managers must stay up to date with advances in healthcare technology, such as the coding and electronic health record (ehr) systems their facility adopts." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "reviewed and provided technical assistance related to school improvement plans. "

Analytical skills. For certain chief program officer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a chief program officer rely on this skill, as "medical and health services managers review and evaluate healthcare metrics for ways to improve efficiency and meet goals." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what chief program officers do: "reported data monitoring related to compliance of standards to hospital leadership, performance improvement committee, medical executive committee and board. "

Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for a chief program officer to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what chief program officers relies on this skill, since "medical and health services managers hire, train, and direct staff." How this skill relates to chief program officer duties can be seen in an example from a chief program officer resume snippet: "created an instructional-learning support team to provide dedicated and comprehensive instructional leadership to provide educators and staff with job-embedded professional development. "

Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a chief program officer does. Chief program officer responsibilities require this skill because "medical and health services managers must convey information to their staff, other healthcare workers, and, sometimes, patients and insurance agents." This resume example highlights how chief program officer duties rely on this skill: "render keen leadership and oversight to 45 development and communications professionals deployed across florida. "

Most common chief program officer skills

The three companies that hire the most chief program officers are:

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Compare different chief program officers

Chief program officer vs. Division director

A division director is an individual who is responsible for managing team members and business operations that are assigned in his/her or her division to achieve the goals of a company. Division directors are required to evaluate division performance and ensure that the team's work complies with the company policies and procedures. They must lead new business development efforts with customers or brokers and should work closely with legal to ensure the protection of the company's interest. Division directors also assist in employee recruitment and provide training to the team if there are skill gaps.

If we compare the average chief program officer annual salary with that of a division director, we find that division directors typically earn a $12,647 higher salary than chief program officers make annually.Even though chief program officers and division directors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require human resources, oversight, and project management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chief program officers and division director. For instance, chief program officer responsibilities require skills such as "risk management," "employee engagement," "program management," and "management system." Whereas a division director is skilled in "client relationships," "customer service," "healthcare," and "patients." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Division directors really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $161,467. Comparatively, chief program officers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $108,027.On average, division directors reach similar levels of education than chief program officers. Division directors are 4.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chief program officer vs. Managing director

A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.

Managing director positions earn higher pay than chief program officer roles. They earn a $21,580 higher salary than chief program officers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Chief program officers and managing directors both require similar skills like "human resources," "oversight," and "project management" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real chief program officer resumes. While chief program officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "professional development," "employee engagement," "program management," and "management system," managing directors use skills like "healthcare," "portfolio," "customer service," and "financial services."

On average, managing directors earn a higher salary than chief program officers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managing directors earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $177,065. Whereas chief program officers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $108,027.managing directors earn similar levels of education than chief program officers in general. They're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief program officer vs. Deputy director

Deputy directors supervise a team of workers and oversee the daily functions of their organizations. They coordinate with the company's executive director in preparing long-term strategies to achieve organizational goals. It is their job to make sure that these goals are met through the company's available resources. They aid alliances so that conversation objectives will be achieved. When complex issues arise, they collaborate with scientists and policy experts for resolution.

On average, deputy directors earn lower salaries than chief program officers, with a $7,920 difference per year.chief program officers and deputy directors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "human resources," "oversight," and "project management," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a chief program officer is likely to be skilled in "risk management," "employee engagement," "organizational development," and "social work," while a typical deputy director is skilled in "policy development," "customer service," "public health," and "financial management."

Deputy directors earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $101,934. Chief program officers earn the highest pay from the transportation industry, with an average salary of $108,027.When it comes to education, deputy directors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to chief program officers. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chief program officer vs. Area director

Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.

Area directors average a lower salary than the annual salary of chief program officers. The difference is about $7,677 per year.While both chief program officers and area directors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like human resources, oversight, and strategic plan, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between chief program officers and area directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a chief program officer might have more use for skills like "project management," "risk management," "employee engagement," and "program management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of area directors require skills like "customer service," "patients," "financial performance," and "compassion. "

Area directors enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $110,804. For comparison, chief program officers earn the highest salary in the transportation industry.area directors reach lower levels of education compared to chief program officers, in general. The difference is that they're 9.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of chief program officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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