VP, Programs & Operations

SouthPark Community Partners, an economic development nonprofit, seeks a Vice President, Programs & Operations to support our mission-driven work to drive economic vitality, create memorable experiences, and ensure an extraordinary quality of life in the SouthPark area. 

We are a small, high-performing team that operates with a startup mentality—moving fast, taking creative risks, and measuring ourselves against outcomes. Our work spans innovative programs like the SouthPark Skipper microtransit service, community events such as SouthPark After 5, major capital investments including the redevelopment of Symphony Park and long-range planning through the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan.

The Opportunity

SCP is entering a new chapter of organizational maturity with an ambitious capital agenda, a growing program of work, and a team that is expanding to meet the district’s needs.

The VP, Programs & Operations serves as the organizational anchor—keeping the team aligned, measuring progress against our annual program of work, interfacing with stakeholders, and ensuring projects are completed with excellence.

 This role sits at the intersection of programs and operations, requiring someone who is equally comfortable building internal processes and building genuine relationships with community partners.

The person who will thrive in this role will be motivated by:

• Building and owning the organizational systems that empower a high-performing team
• Translating complex, multi-stakeholder priorities into clear plans
• Getting into the details of a project and seeing things through from concept to completion
• Earning trust and building relationships with diverse stakeholders through consistent follow-through and genuine curiosity

You will report directly to the President & CEO, and work collaboratively with the entire SCP team, its Board of Directors, and community partners. In time, this role has a natural path toward a senior leadership position as SCP grows.  

This is an in-office and in-district position with frequent in-person meetings, events, and stakeholder engagement across the SouthPark community.

What You’ll Do

• Keep the Organization Running Well
  • Own SCP’s program of work, translating annual priorities into trackable initiatives, monitoring progress against milestones, and keeping the full team aligned and moving
  • Lead the internal rhythm of the organization by facilitating team meetings, cross-functional coordination, and 1:1 check-ins with the CEO on strategic priorities
  • Manage contractors to ensure deliverables, timelines, and quality standards are met
  • Own project management across SCP initiatives to help see projects through to completion
  • Maintain budget tracking and financial reporting in coordination with the CEO
  • Manage a part-time operations associate who will provide administrative and logistical support across the team
• Build Stakeholder Relationships
  • Serve as a direct point of contact for SouthPark stakeholders to advance projects, solve problems, and create opportunities on behalf of the district
  • Lead strategy and content for SCP’s stakeholder programming, including the design and agenda of stakeholder events and convenings
  • Represent SCP at community and professional events, building the organization’s relationships and reputation
• Manage Programs and Projects to Maximize Impact
  • In collaboration with SCP teammates, lead the design, management, and continuous improvement of core SCP programs such as the SouthPark Skipper, SouthPark Snapshot, and others
  • Support the CEO on economic development advocacy and strategy, including preparing briefings, talking points, presentations, and analysis
  • Manage implementation tracking for the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan
• Contribute Across the Organization
  • Partner with SCP teammates to share market intelligence and relationship capital to strengthen the organization’s outcomes
  • Step into gaps when a small-team moment requires it

What You’ll Bring

Above all, we’re looking for an exceptional teammate who is excited to contribute to SCP’s mission-driven work. The right person for this role is not a specialist. They are a rare generalist who can move fluidly between a spreadsheet, a strategy document, a contractor call, and a board presentation. The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and critical thinker, who takes pride in using processes and systems to make their teammates more effective.

• 5-7 years of experience in a role that required both organizational management and/or program leadership. Examples might include a chief of staff, senior program manager, policy analyst, economic development professional, or strategy role at a private sector firm, civic organization, or fast-moving nonprofit
• Strong project management fundamentals
• Excellent written communication skills
• Data literacy, and the ability to gather, interpret, and communicate financial or statistical information clearly and confidently
• Genuine curiosity about place-based economic development
• Experience working closely with a CEO, Executive Director, or senior leader
• Familiarity with Charlotte’s civic, real estate, or economic development landscape is a meaningful advantage
• Regular on-site presence in the office and throughout the SouthPark district

Compensation & Benefits

SouthPark Community Partners offers a competitive total compensation package

• Base salary of $90,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience
• Annual performance bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-sponsored retirement program
• Generous paid time off
• Regular professional development opportunities
• A senior role with real organizational influence in one of Charlotte’s most dynamic districts

How to Apply

Email a resume and cover letter to jobs@southparkclt.org. Include “VP, Programs & Operations” in the subject line.In your cover letter, tell us about a time when you had to manage a complex project or solved a difficult problem as a member of a team. Tell us what your role was, how you held others accountable, and what you’d do differently. We read every application carefully and are looking for authenticity and specificity over polish.

About SouthPark Community Partners 

SouthPark Community Partners (SCP) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to drive economic vitality, create memorable experiences, and ensure an extraordinary quality of life in Charlotte’s SouthPark district. Formed in 2022, SCP provides professional services in the SouthPark Municipal Service District (MSD 6) through an annual contract with the City of Charlotte.

SouthPark Community Partners is committed to building a diverse workforce and to fostering a district that is welcoming to all. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

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