Rising Sun Center : Chief Program Officer

Chief Program Officer

Rising Sun Center for Opportunity seeks a strategic, equity‑centered, and emotionally intelligent Chief Program Officer (CPO) to lead and evolve workforce development programs at the intersection of climate justice, economic mobility, and racial equity.

Founded in 1994 in Santa Cruz, California, Rising Sun has trained and employed more than 3,000 individuals and helped over 65,000 households reduce their carbon footprint through programs such as Climate Careers and Opportunity Build.

Our organization is mission‑driven, deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and antiracism, and values continuous improvement, transparency, and tough conversations. We promote from within, welcome new ideas, and foster a supportive, collaborative environment.

The CPO will oversee the workforce development program portfolio, including Climate Careers® Bay Area, Climate Careers® Central Valley, and Opportunity Build, and will shape the next phase of geographic growth and funding expansion.

• Serve as a member of the executive and director teams, providing trusted partnership to the CEO, board, and cross‑functional peers.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Build trust, confidence, and shared vision through goal setting, performance management, and outcomes measurement.
• Directly supervise and coach three program directors, nurturing their leadership.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all workforce development programs, designing, implementing, assessing, and enhancing effective programs.
• Create a roadmap for measurable program outcomes tied to family‑sustaining employment.
• Ensure programmatic targets tied to funding and mission impact are met and reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Deepen and expand external partnerships with unions, employers, community organizations, and public agencies.
• Develop new and strengthen existing funding partnerships to expand the funding base.

The ideal candidate has strategic acumen, program‑building experience, and people‑centered leadership, with a deep commitment to equity and climate justice. They are strategic and hands‑on, with a focus on workforce development, economic equity, climate resilience, and community partnership.

• Significant experience creating, leading, evaluating, and scaling workforce or related programs in environmental justice, climate policy, or clean energy.
• Proven track record of implementing programs that drive measurable economic mobility and family‑sustaining careers.
• Experience working with youth, women, people of color, and individuals in re‑entry.
• Ability to address climate and economic inequity through program development, policy advocacy, or community engagement.
• Experience leading organizational growth, scaling, or geographic expansion.
• Strong knowledge of equity‑driven frameworks and ability to integrate them into program design.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, engaging community members, stakeholders, and organizations representing low‑income communities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a forward‑thinking mindset.
• People‑leadership experience managing senior leaders and building high‑performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience navigating government funding and complex compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of California energy efficiency regulatory environment is a plus.
• Preferably based in the Bay Area or Central Valley; willingness to relocate within California.

This full‑time executive position offers a salary range of  153,000– 193,000, with additional COLA as available. Benefits include 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid time off, parental leave, 403(b) retirement plan with 3% match; monthly internet and phone reimbursement; comprehensive professional development budget; and access to mental health resources.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (no contact without notice) to  by January 16, 2026 at 5 pm PT.

Executive

Full‑time

Other