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.