VP of Programs

A Day in the Life

The VP of Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, and measurable impact of all direct service programs at The Center by Lendistry. This position oversees accelerator and capacity building programs, business advising services, technical assistance delivery, and organizational training, ensuring world-class service to diverse small business owners and community development practitioners while driving continuous program innovation and improvement.

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the VP of Programs leads a team of program managers and business advisors, managing all aspects of program design, delivery, evaluation, and scaling. This role is critical to achieving The Center's mission of fueling business growth, building generational wealth, and advancing equitable economic development. Some travel may be required.

What You’ll Be Doing

Program Leadership & Strategy

Provide strategic direction for all accelerator and capacity building programs and direct service offerings aligned with organizational strategic plan

Lead program innovation and development of new service models based on community needs and market opportunities

Oversee program design, curriculum development, and content delivery across all cohorts, training programs, and service offerings

Ensure programs effectively integrate The Center's climate resilience strategy and asset-building framework

Champion equity-centered program design that lowers barriers and serves underrepresented entrepreneurs and community development practitioners

Collaborate with VP of Operations on strategic planning, priority-setting, and resource allocation for programs

Team Leadership & Management

Directly supervise (3) current and program staff and any other future staff

Build and mentor a high-performing team with clear roles, professional development pathways, and succession planning

Conduct regular 1:1s, performance evaluations, and goal-setting aligned with organizational objectives

Foster collaborative team culture centered on learning, accountability, and mission impact

Onboard and develop program staff as needed to support organizational growth

Ensure equitable workload distribution and staff capacity planning

Program Operations & Quality

Oversee day-to-day operations of all accelerator and capacity building programs and business advising services

Ensure consistent program quality, participant satisfaction, and outcome achievement across all offerings

Refine and implement standard operating procedures for program lifecycle management (design, recruitment, delivery, evaluation)

Monitor program budgets, expense tracking, and cost-effectiveness for all small business and capacity building programs

Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, reporting deadlines, and funder obligations for program-specific contracts

Grant Management & Resource Development

Lead grant reporting for all program-specific grants and contracts, ensuring timely, accurate, and compelling narratives

Coordinate with program staff to collect data, outcomes, case studies, and impact metrics for funder reports

Ensure compliance with all grant requirements including deliverables, documentation, and reporting schedules

Contribute programmatic expertise to grant proposals and funding applications

Collaborate with COO on resource development strategy, identifying funding opportunities aligned with program priorities

Participate in proposal development including program design, budget creation, and outcome frameworks

Coordinate the team to produce compelling program reports, case studies, and impact narratives for funders and stakeholders

Impact Measurement & Continuous Improvement

Design and implement comprehensive program evaluation frameworks measuring outputs and outcomes

Analyze program data to identify trends, successes, and areas for improvement

Lead quarterly program reviews assessing effectiveness, participant satisfaction, and goal achievement

Translate lessons learned insights into program improvements and best practices

Maintain program dashboards and KPI tracking systems (Salesforce and other platforms)

Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise

Required

7+ years of progressive experience in community economic development, small business technical assistance, capacity building, or related field

3+ years in program management or leadership role with direct supervisory experience

Demonstrated success designing, launching, and scaling high-impact programs serving diverse communities

Experience with grant reporting and compliance for foundation and/or government funders

Strong financial acumen including budget management, cost-benefit analysis, and program sustainability

Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously with attention to quality and outcomes

Excellent team leadership, coaching, and staff development skills

Experience with program evaluation, data analysis, and outcomes measurement

Strong project management skills with ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities

Strong written communication skills with ability to craft compelling grant reports and impact narratives

Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and program management tools

Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to translate program outcomes for diverse audiences

Deep understanding of barriers facing BIPOC-owned, women-owned, and micro-businesses

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and centering lived experience in program design

Preferred

Experience with accelerator and capacity building programs, cohort-based learning models, or entrepreneurship training

Resource development experience and track record contributing to successful funding proposals

Knowledge of small business financing, capital access, and CDFI ecosystem

Familiarity with climate resilience, clean energy, or green infrastructure sectors

Experience administering government or foundation grants

Experience designing and delivering train-the-trainer or organizational capacity building programs

Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred

Experience with disaster recovery programs or crisis response initiatives

Understanding of succession planning, asset building, and wealth creation strategies for entrepreneurs