Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.
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Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer (Volunteer)
Executive Team Division | Organizational Transformation, Strategic Innovation & Organizational Excellence
Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division Executive Team
Department/Function Organizational Transformation & Innovation
Location Remote — United States
Position Type Volunteer Executive Leadership (Unpaid)
Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum Commitment 6 months
Reports To Chief Executive Officer
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, career development, and community partnerships.
Our mission is to help young people build stability, opportunity, belonging, and hope.
We believe every child deserves a promise kept.
Position Overview
MAP is seeking a strategic and innovative Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer (CTIO) to strengthen organizational effectiveness, modernize systems, improve collaboration, and lead meaningful organizational change.
As a member of the Executive Team, the CTIO will work directly with the CEO and senior leadership to transform how MAP operates, connects its divisions, develops innovative solutions, and advances its mission.
The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking executive who can turn strategic ideas into practical, measurable, and sustainable improvements.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Transformation & Strategy
Partner with the CEO to develop and implement organizational transformation priorities.
Evaluate organizational structures, leadership responsibilities, and operational effectiveness.
Identify opportunities to improve organizational performance and accountability.
Develop strategic transformation roadmaps with measurable objectives.
Lead approved organizational improvement initiatives.
Cross-Divisional Collaboration & Effectiveness
Strengthen coordination and communication across MAP's divisions.
Identify overlapping responsibilities, operational gaps, and inefficient workflows.
Recommend improvements to organizational structures and processes.
Establish clearer accountability, decision-making, and collaboration frameworks.
Support leaders in implementing sustainable improvements.
Innovation & Technology Modernization
Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness through innovation and technology.
Collaborate with PromiseInnovation, PromiseStack, PromiseOperations, and PromiseShield.
Explore responsible applications of artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies.
Evaluate innovative ideas and coordinate approved pilot initiatives.
Support adoption of effective, secure, and sustainable solutions.
Change Management & Implementation
Lead the implementation of CEO-approved transformation initiatives.
Engage Chiefs, directors, managers, and volunteers in organizational improvements.
Develop practical implementation plans, milestones, and accountability measures.
Support training, communication, and organizational adoption.
Evaluate results and recommend improvements.
Executive Leadership & Organizational Development
Participate in weekly executive leadership meetings.
Advise the CEO on organizational transformation and strategic improvement opportunities.
Establish quarterly transformation priorities and report progress.
Support leadership development, organizational learning, and continuous improvement.
Coordinate cross-functional initiatives while respecting each Chief's authority.
First 90-Day Priorities
Review MAP's organizational structure, systems, and strategic priorities.
Identify major opportunities to improve communication, coordination, and effectiveness.
Develop a prioritized transformation roadmap with the CEO.
Establish measurable objectives and implementation responsibilities.
Launch selected improvements and present an initial progress report.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in executive leadership, organizational transformation, strategic planning, innovation, or change management.
Strong understanding of organizational structures, operational improvement, and cross-functional leadership.
Experience implementing strategic initiatives and managing organizational change.
Familiarity with technology modernization, automation, or responsible AI adoption.
Strong analytical, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to lead through influence and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations is a plus.
Commitment to MAP's mission and values.
Equivalent professional experience is welcome.
Responsibilities & Expectations
Commit approximately 5–10 hours weekly for at least six months.
Attend weekly executive leadership meetings and maintain regular communication with the CEO.
Establish clear priorities, measurable milestones, and progress updates.
Collaborate with organizational leaders without overriding their designated authority.
Follow MAP's confidentiality, safeguarding, privacy, and organizational policies.
Obtain appropriate approval before implementing major organizational changes or committing resources.
Provide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible.
Measures of Success
Improved organizational structure, clarity, and accountability.
Stronger communication and collaboration across divisions.
More efficient workflows and organizational processes.
Successful implementation of approved transformation initiatives.
Responsible adoption of innovative solutions and technologies.
Measurable improvements in organizational effectiveness and mission delivery.
Why This Role Matters
As Mentor A Promise grows, we need more than innovative ideas. We need strong systems, connected teams, effective leadership, and the ability to turn vision into meaningful action.
The Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer will help build an organization that is adaptable, collaborative, innovative, and equipped for sustainable growth.
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of MAP while strengthening our ability to serve children and families experiencing housing instability.
How To Apply
Interested candidates should apply through Idealist and submit a resume or CV and cover letter highlighting relevant experience in organizational transformation, strategic innovation, executive leadership, or change management.
Join Mentor A Promise and help transform how we work, strengthen how we lead, and expand what we can accomplish together.
Because every child deserves a promise kept.
This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity open to candidates based in the United States.

Work arrangement
Yes