Position Overview

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance seeks a results-driven Small Business Program Manager to provide strategic leadership across three core focus areas: business acceleration, access to capital, and business readiness. Reporting to the VP of Small Business Acceleration, this role is responsible for designing, executing, and scaling high-impact programs that support the growth and regional competitiveness of small businesses, ensuring all initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with the CLT Alliance’s economic development priorities.

The ideal candidate brings a rare combination of strategic vision and operational discipline, equally comfortable shaping long-term economic development strategy and executing day-to-day program work. A natural relationship builder with a demonstrated track record in partnership management, they cultivate trust across small business owners, major corporations, civic institutions, and public-sector partners. Collaborative by instinct and data-driven by practice, this individual makes decisions with confidence, translates program outcomes into actionable insights, and leads through influence to advance the region’s small business ecosystem.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Management

• Lead the CLT Alliance’s involvement in high-impact programs, including business accelerators, procurement-readiness pipelines, sector-focused acceleration strategies, and supplier alignment.
• Ensure programs are market-driven and outcome-oriented, with measurable metrics tied to revenue growth, procurement wins, capital access, and job growth.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, contracts, and deliverables, coordinating workshops, training programs, and events that advance small business growth and community engagement.
• Track program outcomes, prepare reports for leadership and funding agencies, and ensure compliance with all grant requirements and program guidelines.

Partnership Development

• Build and maintain relationships with small businesses, entrepreneurs, industry associations, and community stakeholders.
• Conduct outreach to identify business needs and connect businesses to funding opportunities, grants, loans, incentives, and procurement programs.
• Cultivate partnerships with educational institutions, financial institutions, and government agencies to align resources with regional small business priorities.

Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of business engagements, program participation, and economic impact metrics.
• Prepare presentations, reports, grant applications, and funding proposals for leadership and external stakeholders.
• Utilize CRM systems and data management tools to track stakeholder interactions and program outcomes.
• Analyze program effectiveness and recommend data-informed improvements to strengthen the CLT Alliance’s small business strategy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 2+ years of economic development, program management, or small business ecosystem leadership.
• Strong experience working in and/or with small business enterprises.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-sector partnerships involving corporations, government, and community stakeholders.

Small Business Acceleration Mission

The Small Business Acceleration and Support team exists to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners by leveraging the collective strength of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and its investor companies. Through strategic partnerships with leading businesses, non-profit organizations, and public agencies, we provide the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to help start, sustain, and scale small businesses. Our mission is to create an inclusive and thriving regional economy where small businesses have the tools and support to innovate, grow, and succeed.

CLT Alliance

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance champions, serves and works to unite a region comprised of people from all walks of life. We honor diversity, inclusion, and equity internally and externally. We are committed to advancing economic opportunity and prosperity for the Charlotte Region. We operate in-office 5 days a week.

To apply, please download and complete the application, forward with cover letter and resume to careers@charlotteregion.com.

The Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund is a public-private effort to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs in the Charlotte Region. The fund is a collaboration of five different nonprofit lenders (Ascendus, Aspire, BEFCOR, Carolina Small Business Development Fund, and DreamSpring) and is managed by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (CLT Alliance) and Scale Link. The effort has been funded by a variety of corporate entities and the City of Charlotte. It is designed to provide small business loans, up to $250,000, to businesses that have faced barriers to accessing traditional financing. Launched in 2024, and capitalized with approximately $20 million, the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund is expected to be a long-term effort.

Job Summary:

The Business Development Manager will serve as the day-to-day point person for outreach, marketing, and customer acquisition. They will work collaboratively with the CLT Alliance, Scale Link, the five nonprofit lenders, local entrepreneurial support organizations (ESO) and others.

The role will be responsible for the creation and execution of a robust business development plan for the 10 North Carolina counties in the Charlotte Region (Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union). That plan is expected to prioritize small business loan referrals from adjacent professionals including business lenders, lawyers, and accountants. Additional priority will be placed on local ESOs. The position will be supported by a moderate marketing budget and will be expected to adjust the business development plan, and recommend changes to marketing tactics, based on lessons learned. Excellent collaboration skills, and a strong focus on generating results, will be required. This is an outstanding opportunity for a community leader and/or experienced small business lending professional with business development experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving in communities.

The Business Development Manager will be a full-time, project-based employee of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and will report to its Vice President of Small Business Acceleration.

Responsibilities include:

• Create and implement a business development strategy and marketing plan in alignment with available resources. Provide for sustainable business development processes, including partner retention and management.
• Develop relationships with banking institutions and business lenders to seek referrals for small business customers they are currently unable to support with capital requests.
• Develop relationships with other business support personnel, including lawyers, accountants/bookkeepers, fractional CFOs, etc. to identify and source program applicants.
• Leverage partnerships with regional ESOs and government/public entities to ensure awareness of the fund in support of their small business clients.
• Work with lending staff at each of the partner organizations to optimize coverage and collective effectiveness. Identify improvements in process and customer service, as needed.
• Analyze loan application data to identify opportunities to improve results and strengthen small business capital readiness.
• Ensure individual loan applicants reach the lender, or ESO, best positioned to meet the applicant’s needs.
• Provide timely, accurate performance data and reporting to all stakeholders, including monthly closing and variance reporting.
• Directly undertake business development at the program level, including informational presentations, partner tracking, referral incentives, etc.
• Attend local meetings, events, etc. to represent the program and build trust among partners and the small business ecosystem.
• Activate program customers as additional referral resources.

Requirements:

• Commitment to the mission of the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund and its partners.
• Minimum five years of experience in business development, ideally in financial services and the Charlotte MSA.
• Entrepreneurial approach and growth mindset. Able to adjust role, approach, etc. in a rapidly changing environment.
• Current knowledge, or willingness to develop, an in-depth understanding of CDFI and bank small business lending markets.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills that facilitate effective working relationships. This includes listening and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated devotion to high-quality customer service.
• Keen research, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Track record of successful management of projects and processes.
• Currently located in the Charlotte region, with established relationships in the community.
• Significant local travel, with position based out of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance office.

Compensation:

• Competitive base salary plus annual bonus structure
• Workplace flexibility
• Health insurance, 401K and paid holidays
• Additional incentives may be provided based on performance and commensurate with experience

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000

CLT Alliance

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance champions, serves, and works to unite a region comprised of people from all walks of life. We honor diversity, inclusion, and equity internally and externally. We are committed to advancing economic opportunity and prosperity for the Charlotte Region.

To apply: Download and fully complete the job application, and forward along with cover letter and resume to careers@charlotteregion.com.

Reports to: Vice President of Economic Development

Interfaces with: Economic development and commercial development stakeholders across the Charlotte Region and North and South Carolina, decision makers and site consultants evaluating region for investment, Economic Development Advisory Council, CLT Alliance investors and prospective investors, CLT Alliance direct and indirect team members

Objective:  The CLT Alliance is seeking a dynamic, mid-level director to bring their expertise in economic development to a thriving and fast-growing market. As part of the CLT Alliance Economic Development team, you’ll play a key role in advancing our business recruitment strategy, aligning with the goals of our strategic plan. Your responsibilities will include identifying companies interested in relocating to the Charlotte Region, coordinating and executing domestic and international travel missions to meet with site selection consultants and prospective companies, and collaborating with local and state economic development partners to provide essential support. Join us in shaping the future of the Charlotte Region’s economic landscape!

Specific Duties and Responsibilities (Including, but not limited to):

1. Recruitment and Lead Generation

• Creates and implements an individual recruitment strategy for assigned target sector industries based on strategic industry verticals.
• Supports the recruitment team by formulating and practicing lead generation strategies.
• Plans, leads, and executes marketing trips to meet with companies and site selectors.
• Supports the recruitment team by utilizing all lead generation software and platforms.
• Identifies new high-growth companies with interest in the Charlotte Region for investment.
• Develops a network of lead generation sources to provide new opportunities.
• Manages lead generation, consults and supports a portfolio of assigned counties within the region.
• Prepares and distributes RFIs to regional partners and investors.
• Prepares, presents, and evaluates pitch materials for the recruitment team.

2. Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Supports VP of Economic Development as well as other team members as directed.
• Works closely with public and private partners to ensure a smooth transition of project leads.
• Works closely with the CLT Alliance Research team using data to support strategic initiatives.
• Works closely with domestic and international businesses and can present our market to those audiences.
• Develops and maintains a network of key regional allies who can participate in promoting the region to domestic and international projects.
• Interfaces regularly with economic development groups, stakeholders and prospective clients.
• Represents CLT Alliance in the community and supports the events team on departmental events.

3. Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Conducts market research for active client projects and supports the recruitment team.
• Plans, coordinates, and delivers information and services to leads and prospects (i.e., client hosting, response to proposals, introductions, etc.).
• Translates recruitment vision into action around role clarity, accountability and trackable KPIs.
• Prepares reports and inputs personal activity into the organization’s Salesforce platform.
• Learn to use Salesforce for project dashboards and Gazelle.ai for developing lead generation pipelines.
• Performs other program/project functions as required.

Handles all other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Economic Development.

Job Requirements:

• Intellectually curious, self-starter, and fast study.
• Thrives in a dynamic team environment and is motivated when working independently.
• Strong communicator with knack for attention to detail. Must appreciate and apply accuracy with numbers and presentations. Foreign language a plus.
• Creates and follows process, enjoys problem-solving, and comfortable working with large data sets.
• Comfortable with public speaking in small and large settings.
• Familiarity with economic development, site-selection process, office and industrial real estate. Knowledge of the Charlotte Region, North Carolina, and South Carolina a plus.
• Proficient in Salesforce, Gazelle.ai, Canva, GIS, and Microsoft Office suite. Familiarity with Lightcast is a plus.
• Minimum of three years of related lead-generation, sales, research, GIS, real estate, or economic development experience. Related experience with life sciences industry is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree or studies in business, economics, real estate, finance, urban planning, public policy or related discipline.
• Travel to events in the Charlotte Region and in North and South Carolina and for mission trips, tradeshows and consultant events in the U.S. and possibly internationally.
• Be able to perform those tasks that are essential to the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel and work conditions:

• Moderate international and/or domestic travel expected
• Hours: 8:30-5:00pm in office five days a week. Occasional evening and/or weekends as needed

Evaluation of Job Performance:

Regular cadence of meetings regarding performance; bi-annual review with Vice President of Economic Development

Compensation:

Salary range of $90,000 to $110,000

Why Should You Apply?

• Ability to learn, develop and use some of the latest economic development tools in the industry.
• Working with a team of other high-performing economic development professionals.
• We foster a truly interactive environment where all team members’ ideas are valued.
• Stable pathway to get into the commercial real estate, economic development and site selection industries.
• Opportunity for career progression.
• Full employee benefit package.
• Great central location with free covered parking.

CLT Alliance

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance champions, serves, and works to unite a region comprised of people from all walks of life. We honor diversity, inclusion, and equity internally and externally. We are committed to advancing economic opportunity and prosperity for all across the Charlotte Region.

To apply, please download and complete the application from our website, and forward with cover letter and resume to careers@charlotteregion.com.