CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Details: Full-time, salaried
Preferred location: South Africa
Start date: 1 February 2026
ABOUT 21HUNDRED
In 1903, WEB DuBois presciently foresaw that the problem of the 20th century would be the problem of the colour line. Today, the problem persists well into the 21st century. The deeply ingrained logics of anti-Black racism are set to endure into the 22nd century, exacerbated by technological developments, if there is no intervention that contests the racial system.
21Hundred—a studio for race and the future—exists to ensure that by the year 2100 DuBois’s prophecy might finally be consigned to history.
Building on the foundations of Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity (AFRE), 21Hundred curates spaces for creatives, practitioners, thinkers and innovators to design and prototype futures beyond anti-Black racism.
We work along three programmatic pillars—fellowship, narrative and innovation. Through these, we convene visionaries who advance liberation to form enduring networks, we cultivate narratives that unsettle the mechanics of race and racism, and we commission the crafting of new paradigm-shifting innovations.
ORGANISATIONAL VALUES
We value possibility
We sit at the door of emergence, open to what is waiting to be born, where the waters break. We are the link from what is to what can be – both out in the world and here among ourselves. That is why we are forthcoming in our openness with each other, seeking to be available and accommodating.
We value collectivity
We bring our unique skills and talents to this work. Together, we act in concert to bring our many-ness into symphony. The way of water is one—at times diverging into focused streams, but always returning to the oceans that bind us. We celebrate finding the third, fourth, fifth ways beyond false binaries. We leverage multiplicity as a tool for excavating complexity, which expands the breaches of our imaginations, for there, we find fuller freedom.
We value fluidity
We are carving out a path that will not always take on a recognisable form, and we trust the wisdom of our intuition and instincts to navigate the unknown. Like a river, we find creative ways past stuck places and boulders, shaping them with mighty gentleness. We dance with each other in mutual consideration and make space for our individual humanities that do not fit into set moulds. We are open to surprise, are agile and flow between different forms like water between ice, liquid, and vapour.
We value humility
We draw from the many different expressions of humility that exist across cultures. We are because of those who have come before us, and we are in service of those who will come after us. We hold this posture because we feel called to this work and accept our responsibility with joy, dignity, and quiet urgency. We embrace humility not just with each other, but also in our practice. That is why we are committed to depth of thought and considered action, to reflective rigor and to wide reach.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Chief Creative Officer (CCO), the Chief Programs Officer (CPO) will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, creating programming to deliver against the organisations vision and providing inspirational leadership aligned to values and culture. They will also be the most senior person responsible for the South Africa office, including in relation to local governance and compliance responsibilities. The CPO also plays a crucial role related to the management of 21Hundred’s partnerships within and beyond the Atlantic Fellows community.
The CPO is the creative strategist and experience architect who leads the design, delivery and evolution of all programming, experiences and publications within the organisation. The CPO ensures that every program not only meets its goals but moves people—resonating deeply, equitably, and memorably.
The successful candidate will sit at the intersection of impact, innovation and intentionality, and will lead the programmatic vision and infrastructure—ensuring high-quality delivery, strong partnerships, thoughtful evaluation,and cultural coherence across all outward-facing experiences. From ideation to implementation, the ideal candidate will ensure that the organisation’s essence is embedded in everything we do.
Responsibilities
1. Leadership of South Africa Office (Programmatic Hub)
Lead the Johannesburg, South Africa office, which represents the Programmatic Hub of 21Hundred, where most of the programming retreats, convenings and events will take place.
Provide leadership over all programming at 21Hundred related to the fellowship experience, narrative and innovation programming to ensure impact, cohesion and learning across programming.
Hold responsibilities related to operating 21Hundred in South Africa, including compliance with South African laws and tax regulations.
Ensure governance and compliance to 21Hundred policies and procedures.
2. Programmatic Strategy, Design & Experience Stewardship
Lead the development and implementation of a dynamic, mission-aligned program strategy that reflects 21Hundred’s values and vision.
Ensure programming is culturally relevant, emotionally resonant and strategically integrated across the organisation.
Oversee the design of all programs, experiences and publications to ensure they embody the organisation’s “vibe”, quality standards and audience intentions.
Curate transformative, inclusive experiences that leave lasting impact on participants and communities.
Embed equity and accessibility into all aspects of program strategy, delivery and evaluation.
Ensure programming is informed by the lived experience of the communities we serve and co-create with.
3. Evaluation, Learning & Impact
Develop robust evaluation frameworks and designs, focusing on collecting evidence related to a program's reach, efficiency and effectiveness.
Oversee monitoring, evaluation and learning systems to assess program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
Translate insights into strategy, storytelling and improved service design.
Work with stakeholders to develop feasible recommendations and consult on evaluation plans and strategies.
4. Programming Team Leadership & Culture Building
Lead and manage the program team, fostering a creative, collaborative and equity-centred work culture.
Cultivate a culture of experimentation, collaboration and high-quality output.
Support staff development and ensure the team is resourced, supported and aligned with organisational priorities.
5. Partnerships Lead
Formulate and implement comprehensive partnership strategies aligned with the company's overall goals and objectives.
Proactively identify, evaluate and secure new strategic partners to expand 21Hundred's ecosystem and capabilities.
Negotiate and structure impactful partnership agreements and contracts, ensuring they are mutually beneficial.
Develop programming for partnership within and beyond Atlantic Fellows Community.
Cultivate and nurture strong, long-term relationships with existing partners, acting as a primary point of contact.
Monitor the performance of partnerships, analyze key metrics (KPIs), and make adjustments to optimise results and drive continuous improvement.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with the Chief Operations Officer to align program delivery with financial, operational, and compliance frameworks.
Partner with the CCO and the communications team to ensure program insights and stories are elevated across communications and narrative work.
7. Thought Leadership & External Representation
Represent the organisation’s programming at public events, within networks, and through published reflections or panels.
Build strategic partnerships with collaborators, funders and sector peers to grow the reach and impact of the work.
Minimum Qualifications
7+ years of experience leading programs in nonprofit, social impact, education or cultural sectors.
Proven ability to design and scale mission-driven programs that balance creativity with rigour.
Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience building collaborative, values-aligned teams.
Deep experience in monitoring and evaluation, impact storytelling and strategy development.
Strong project management and cross-functional coordination experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in international nonprofits or programmes, charities or cultural sectors.
Familiarity with participatory design, co-creation methodologies or creative facilitation.
A background in a creative, community-centred or equity-focused field.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered for this position, a cover letter needs to be submitted.
Ability to conduct extensive hours of work at a computer with reasonable accommodations is required
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT THIS POSITION?
The Chief Program Officer (AKA Chief Experience & Impact Officer (CXIO), AKA Custodian of the Vibe) is the strategic leader responsible for ensuring every program, experience, and publication resonates with 21Hundred’s unique essence—our “secret sauce”.
This role oversees the full programming lifecycle—from design to execution to evaluation—with a relentless focus on audience engagement, collective effervescence and transformative impact. As the internal hype architect and external experience curator, the CXIO champions innovation, quality and alignment across all outward-facing initiatives, ensuring our mission is communicated and experienced. This position is both the steward of vibe and the orchestrator of substance, weaving intention and authenticity into everything we share with the world.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are invited to email careers@21hundred.org using "Chief Program Officer" as the subject line. Please submit the following by 19 November 2025:
Cover letter
Your CV/resume
Three contactable references
Additional information on selection process
As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to deliver a presentation outlining how they would scale the Fellowship Programme beyond the current offering. We are particularly interested in their long-term vision—imagining in the year 2037, twenty years on, and describing what the enduring impact of the Fellowship community could be.