Chief Programs Officer

Overview of FareStart 

Founded in 1992, FareStart provides a community that transforms lives, disrupts poverty, and nourishes communities through food, life skills, and job training. Our vision is that every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world. 

FareStart works through its values to be Accepting, be Respectful, be Open, be Collaborative, be Accountable, be Inclusive, Grow and Be FareStart. 

In 2020, FareStart adopted an Anti-Racist statement in which it defines anti-racism as the clear acknowledgement that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own and we recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision. 

FareStart also acknowledges that it is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, and specifically stands on the lands of the First Peoples of Seattle, the Duwamish. FareStart honors with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Peoples who have stewarded it, past and present. 

Braiding together philanthropy, social enterprise revenues and public funding, FareStart has an annual operating budget of approximately $20 million. FareStart employs 180 staff and boasts over 3,000 volunteers. Last year FareStart engaged 197 applicants, enrolled 140 and facilitated 148 job placements, numbers significantly lower due to COVID-19. FareStart’s governing board is comprised of 19 people, all of whom serve in one of several committees that support the organizations efforts. FareStart has historically organized its programs work in three major categories outlined below: 

1) Adult Culinary Program began in 1992 and combines hands-on culinary training with classroom instruction, individual case management, self-empowerment coaching, and job readiness services for adults 18 and older. The program provides the tools, training and support to put graduates on the path to sustained employment. All wrap around support including housing, food, transportation, uniforms, mental health, and recovery counseling is provided at no cost to students. Due to the pandemic, in-person and advanced training was suspended in 2020 from March until August and resumed as virtual-only.

2) Youth Barista Program currently runs in partnership with YouthCare and is built around the needs of young people 16-24 who are homeless and street involved. This program teaches barista and customer service skills through classroom instruction, job-readiness training, on-the-job experience, and job readiness support. In-person training suspended in 2020 from March until October and resumed as virtual-only. 

3) Youth Culinary Program for youth 16-21 currently enrolled in Seattle Public Schools Interagency Academy High School and Nova High School. This paid program provides hands-on training focused on culinary arts, customer service, life skills, job-readiness training, on-the-job experience, and job placement support, while the youth earn school credit toward high school graduation. In-person training suspended in 2020 from March until November and resumed as virtual-only.

The Role

FareStart’s Chief Programs Officer (CPO) will be enthusiastically passionate for FareStart’s mission and serve as an innovative and strategic thinker supporting and driving the long-term unified vision for FareStart’s local and national programs. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CPO is critical and will intentionally drive a cohesive strategy that focuses on continuous improvement and expansion of FareStart’s training programs and their integration in social enterprises. Innovative new national opportunities to partner with multi-unit retail employers is also anticipated. 

The CPO will set the stage for high performance, encourage personal initiative, accountability, and responsibility at all levels across the organization, with direct responsibility for local and national Adult Programs, Youth Programs, and the Outcome and Evaluation data team. The role will ensure that the organization is meeting the needs of the populations served and develop strategic external partnerships in alignment with the mission.  The CPO will lead efforts to partner with private and government entities across the U.S. to expand job training programs for populations who face personal and systemic barriers.

The role will supervise at least two Director-level positions focusing on departmental excellence, and execution of FareStart’s local and national strategic plan. They will lead their staff through the lens of an inclusive servant leader who considers people and professional development as the top priority. In addition, the CPO will be the primary staff person for the Mission Committee of the FareStart board of directors. 

The role will have an eye for driving strategy while also making data-informed systemic improvements. As such, the role requires a strong program development and expansion background.  

This CPO must be an authentic leader with strong interpersonal skills who can deploy fresh, supportive energy where needed. Strong emotional and cultural intelligence is crucial to communicate effectively and respectfully with staff, key stakeholders, board of directors, and the populations FareStart serves, all of whom bring diverse racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds to the organization. The role requires a deep understanding of how the varied needs of these groups differ and intersect to foster an inclusive culture that prioritizes the needs of each audience.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and management of training programs, scaling and management of national programs, and outcome & evaluation departments.
• Oversee day-to-day operating responsibility for two café’s under the youth training programs.
• Strategic planning, in partnership with the CEO.
• Key contributor to the FareStart Senior Leadership Team.
• Coach and develop staff.
• Ensure intentional integration of programs within social enterprises fostering “one team, one mission”. 
• Set and drive departmental priorities.
• Build strategic partnerships throughout the region and country.
• Ensure public funding administration, compliance and reporting requirements are met.
• Manage and cultivate existing relationships to secure and expand revenue streams.
• Ensure financial viability of local and national Programs through sound fiscal management, annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting.
• Ensure FareStart social enterprises and external training partnerships support the goals of the FareStart training programs.

Key Qualifications:

• A passion for FareStart’s mission.
• The ability to attract, retain and grow key talent through professional development and mentoring.
• Strong ability to lead through periods of ambiguity and collaborate with other stakeholders.
• Experience driving organizational change to help FareStart adapt to changing technology, and market demands while exhibiting FareStart’s values.
• 10+ years of experience in a related role.

Reports to - CEO

Direct Reports - 

• Director, Programs
• Director, Outcomes & Evaluations
• Administrative Assistant (shared)

Please apply online at www.farestart.org/careers

The Location: FareStart, 700 Virginia, Seattle, WA 98101

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees

FareStart is an Equal Opportunity Employer serving people of various communities and backgrounds. We seek applicants who value diversity and inclusivity. Women, People of Color, and Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community are encouraged to apply.