Chief External Affairs & Programs Officer (CEAPO)

## RECRUITMENT PROFILE

**Title:** Chief External Affairs & Programs Officer (CEAPO), PPGNY, and Executive Director, PPGNY Action Fund, PPGNY Votes, PPGNY Votes PAC
**Organization:** Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY)
**Reports to:** President & CEO of PPGNY, PPGNY Action Fund, PPGNY Votes, PPGNY Votes PAC
**Location:** Flexible within New York State; commutable distance to any PPGNY location. Hybrid in‑person/remote environment. Travel within the state required.

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## ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a team of trusted health care providers, educators, and advocates committed to advancing equity and improving health outcomes in communities facing systemic barriers to quality, innovative sexual and reproductive health services. These services include birth control, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and prevention, gender‑affirming hormone therapy, wellness exams, crisis counseling, and financial counseling. PPGNY also provides compassionate, nonjudgmental abortion services.

PPGNY is the result of a strategic five‑way merger finalized in January 2020. As one of the largest affiliates in the national Planned Parenthood network, PPGNY covers 65% of New York State, serving urban, suburban, and rural areas. Since its formation, PPGNY has focused on post‑merger integration and building an intentional, shared organizational culture responsive to local staff and community needs.

PPGNY cares for more than 80,000 patients annually at 17 health centers and through virtual care. It is one of New York’s largest and most trusted reproductive healthcare providers, offering:

**Essential Health Care:** Comprehensive services for all individuals regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, immigration status, zip code, or ability to pay.
**Community Engagement, Education, and Training:** Programs that dismantle barriers such as language inaccessibility, lack of insurance, high costs, and mistrust of the healthcare system.
**Advocacy:** Public affairs programs that protect and expand access to reproductive health care and education, advancing policies that support reproductive justice.

PPGNY employs approximately 500 staff and has an annual operating budget of ~$100 million. The organization envisions a future where all communities have full access to innovative, high‑quality, affordable, evidence‑based sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion.

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## OPPORTUNITY

Planned Parenthood and its affiliates are navigating significant challenges, including federal funding cuts and sustained political attacks that threaten reproductive health care access. These impacts fall most heavily on marginalized communities. Despite these obstacles, PPGNY continues to provide critical services and stand as a defender of equity, dignity, and human rights.

This moment calls for bold, visionary leadership to ensure PPGNY emerges stronger, more innovative, and deeply rooted in its mission.

The CEAPO and Executive Director of PPGNY Action Fund, PPGNY Votes, and PPGNY Votes PAC will lead efforts in two primary lanes:

1. Advancement of state and local policies, budget priorities, and electoral work.
2. Community‑facing programming that increases knowledge, improves access to care, and facilitates engagement.

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## REPORTING

Reports to President & CEO Wendy Stark (she/her).
Direct supervision of four departmental leaders:
– VP, Education & Training
– VP, Community Engagement
– AVP, Public Affairs
– Director, Government Relations & Policy

Primary responsibility for collaboration, strategic agenda setting, and fund development with the Boards of PPGNY Action Fund, PPGNY Votes, and PPGNY Votes PAC.

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## POSITION

The CEAPO leads Public Affairs, Government Relations, Education & Training, and Community Engagement. This role oversees approximately 90 employees across these departments.

The CEAPO also serves as executive leader and staff liaison to PPGNY Action Fund (C4), PPGNY Votes (independent expenditure committee), and PPGNY Votes PAC (political action committee).

Responsibilities include developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating cohesive strategies for advocacy, government relations, organizing, and electoral goals. The CEAPO also leads refinement and implementation of health‑equity‑focused, grant‑funded education and community engagement programs.

The CEAPO must embody a commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights, reproductive justice, and race equity in all interactions and strategic decisions.

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## ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

### Advocacy & Public Affairs Leadership (50%)

– Oversee Public Affairs team and its electoral, legislative, and organizing campaigns.
– Serve as PPGNY’s lobbyist to local, state, and federal officials.
– Develop annual legislative strategy in coordination with PPESA, PPAF, senior staff, and Boards.
– Maintain strong relationships with PPESA and PPAF.
– Oversee organizing and electoral strategies for Action Fund, Votes, and Votes PAC.
– Serve as spokesperson and liaison to Boards on agenda setting, fundraising, and development.
– Oversee compliance for Action Fund, PAC, and Votes entities.
– Collaborate with Development to meet fundraising goals and cultivate donor relationships.
– Serve as spokesperson in media, public forums, and events.

### Education & Training and Community Engagement Leadership (35%)

– Provide leadership and management support to Education & Training and Community Engagement departments.
– Ensure health equity and reproductive justice principles guide program strategies.
– Create, implement, evaluate, and improve program initiatives.
– Lead strategic decision‑making on program content, funding, geography, and populations.
– Develop strategies for funding expansion in collaboration with Development.
– Position PPGNY as a preferred partner within justice‑focused coalitions.

### Executive Leadership Duties (15%)

– Serve on Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
– Act as thought partner to CEO, ELT, and Boards.
– Represent Public Affairs and Programs at ELT level.
– Collaborate on organizational strategy and sustainability.

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## CANDIDATE PROFILE

You are an experienced, dynamic, innovative leader who inspires, activates, and builds strong relationships. You are deeply invested in advancing bodily autonomy, health equity, gender and racial justice, and reproductive freedom. You thrive in environments of rapid change and complexity and engage authentically with people of all backgrounds.

You prioritize effectively, delegate wisely, meet deadlines, and embrace collaborative, supportive management. You maintain composure under changing conditions and understand the complexity of holding both Executive Director and Chief titles.

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## REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

– Significant progressive nonprofit leadership experience, ideally reporting directly to a CEO/President/Executive Director.
– Professional or activism experience in sexual and reproductive health or justice strongly preferred.
– Deep understanding of New York State and NYC political environments.
– Significant coalition‑building experience.
– Experience managing public and private grants/contracts.
– Ability to lead in environments with diverse intersectional identities.
– Commitment to anti‑racist, anti‑bias culture; proven equity and inclusion work.
– Experience in unionized environments.
– Ability to contribute to organizational strategy and systems development.
– Strong understanding of nonprofit business operations.
– Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
– Ability to negotiate conflicts and maintain constructive relationships.
– Willingness to travel up to 25% within NY State.

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## DESIRED EXPERIENCE

– Leadership experience in a nonprofit of similar size and complexity.
– Master’s degree or J.D.
– Experience in change management, mergers, or cultural integration.
– Experience leading organizational transformation.
– Experience in organizations with programmatic and/or clinical operations.

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## PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

– Deep passion for PPGNY’s mission and communities served.
– Ability to operate at both strategic and hands‑on levels.
– Ability to align policy and program strategies with mission and impact.
– High self‑awareness, emotional intelligence, and professional maturity.
– Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
– Open, collaborative, decisive when necessary.
– Bridge‑builder and trusted partner.
– Energy for managing cultural change and driving performance.
– Comfort with ambiguity; ability to inspire confidence.
– Strong analytical mindset and systems thinking.
– Boldness and courage to lead change with appropriate pacing.

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## COMPENSATION

Salary range: **$285,000–$305,000**
Comprehensive benefits include:
– Health, dental, vision
– 23 vacation days in year one
– 10 sick days
– 10 holidays + 3 floating holidays
– Paid family and parental leave
– Life & accident insurance
– Short‑ and long‑term disability
– EAP access
– Health and flexible spending accounts
– Retirement plans with employer contributions after 12 months
– Flexible scheduling
– Mass transit/commuter parking accounts

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## TO APPLY

Kevin Chase Executive Search Group is leading this recruitment. PPGNY is an equal opportunity employer.

Submit a resume and cover letter to **[email protected]** or apply via the Jobs Portal.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.

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## CONTACT INFORMATION

Kevin Chase, Managing Partner
[email protected]

Catie DiFelice, Senior Associate
[email protected]

Kevin Chase Executive Search Group
[www.kevinchasesearch.com]

All education, dates of employment, and other information will be verified prior to an offer.