Position Summary

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key executive leader at Santa Fe Recovery Center (SFRC), responsible for driving excellence, growth, and integration across SFRC’s full continuum of programs, including CCBHC, Children’s Services, Outpatient Care, and Residential Services. Working in close partnership with the Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, the CPO ensures program quality, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency while aggressively scaling services to meet regional needs. The CPO must bring demonstrated expertise in integrated care models, a proven record of program expansion and quality improvement, and the ability to manage for both mission and margin—delivering high-quality, client-centered services while ensuring financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Integration

- Provide executive oversight and leadership for all SFRC programs, including CCBHC, outpatient behavioral health, children and family services, and recovery support initiatives. - Collaborate with the Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Medical Officer on clinical and residential programming. - Partner with the Chief Strategy Officer to evaluate, design, and implement new program opportunities. - Ensure integration across medical, clinical, recovery, and peer services to support whole-person, lifespan care.

Program Quality & Compliance

- Lead the development, monitoring, and implementation of program standards to meet or exceed state, federal, payer, and accreditation (CARF, SAMHSA, Medicaid, Medicare) requirements. - Drive a culture of continuous quality improvement (CQI) through data-driven performance management. - Ensure fidelity to CCBHC standards, child welfare requirements, and evidence-based practices.

Growth & Expansion

- Develop and execute strategies for aggressive program growth across outpatient, children’s services, and community-based programs. - Identify opportunities for new services, partnerships, and funding in collaboration with the Chief Strategy Officer. - Scale programs while ensuring operational efficiency, cost control, and measurable impact.

Financial & Operational Stewardship

- Oversee program budgets, ensuring programs are financially viable, efficient, and aligned with organizational priorities. - Optimize staffing models, service delivery processes, and billing practices to maintain high-quality care while supporting strong margins. - Develop programmatic business cases for new initiatives, including ROI analysis and sustainability plans.

Leadership & Culture

- Supervise program directors and managers, providing mentorship, accountability, and professional growth opportunities. - Build strong, cross-functional teams that are collaborative, innovative, and aligned with SFRC’s mission and values. - Serve as a visible culture carrier, modeling trauma-informed leadership and commitment to equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

Required

- Master’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, healthcare administration, or related field. - Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health, integrated care, or nonprofit human services. - Demonstrated success leading large, multi-site program operations within Medicaid- and grant-funded environments. - Track record of expanding services and programs while maintaining or improving margins. - Expertise in CQI, program evaluation, and accreditation readiness. - Strong understanding of CCBHC standards, child welfare regulations, and integrated care delivery.

Preferred

- Executive-level experience in nonprofit healthcare or behavioral health. - Familiarity with New Mexico’s behavioral health system, tribal partnerships, and frontier/rural

healthcare delivery. - Bilingual (Spanish, Diné, or Zuni). - Experience working with Boards of Directors and funders to support advocacy and program growth.

About Santa Fe Recovery Center (SFRC)

Santa Fe Recovery Center provides evidence-based, trauma-informed care to individuals and families impacted by substance use and co-occurring disorders across Northern New Mexico. With residential, outpatient, children’s, and crisis services spanning multiple counties, SFRC is building a regionally integrated recovery ecosystem—one rooted in dignity, access, and cultural responsiveness