I&T Project Coordinator Senior

City of Charlotte • Charlotte, NC

9d • $87,368 - $109,210

About The Position

The Senior Smart Cities Program Coordinator will serve as a strategic leader within the City of Charlotte’s Innovation & Technology team, driving enterprise-level initiatives that make Charlotte more connected, inclusive, efficient, and responsive through the transformative use of data, technology, and civic innovation. This is a senior-level role responsible for independently managing complex Smart City programs, coordinating cross-departmental stakeholders, and ensuring the delivery of high-impact projects that align with the city's strategic goals. The individual in this role will lead efforts such as CiviForm, Access Charlotte, and Learn2Earn, overseeing program execution, budget oversight, stakeholder communications, and performance tracking. This position also plays a critical role in cultivating public-private partnerships, securing grant funding, and designing public engagement strategies that ensure Smart Charlotte initiatives reflect the needs and priorities of residents.

Requirements

• High School Graduate or Equivalent and five (5) years of related work experience OR 2 Year College Degree and three (3) years of related work experience OR Bachelor's Level Degree and one (1) year of related work experience OR or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential job duties.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Studies, Information Technology, Data Science, Communications, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in project or program management, urban innovation, public technology, or related strategic roles.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects and lead through influence in a matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to track KPIs and program performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing and delivering public-facing content.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, public service, and inclusive innovation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management platforms, and collaboration tools.
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) or digital engagement platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Program Management & Strategic Execution Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of high-visibility Smart City initiatives across multiple departments and partners.
• Serve as project lead on assigned programs, independently managing project timelines, resource allocation, risks, and deliverables.
• Monitor and analyze program performance through key performance indicators (KPIs), developing action plans to address any gaps or delays.
• Use project management tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project, PRISM) to oversee workflows and ensure accountability across workstreams.
• Financial Oversight & Budget Administration Manage the full Smart Charlotte operational budget, ensuring fiscal discipline, proactive tracking, and alignment with program objectives.
• Monitor spending for complex, multi-stakeholder projects (e.g., CiviForm), escalating risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to ensure compliance with city policies and reporting standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Public Communication Serve as the primary liaison between I&T, community partners, other departments, and external vendors for all Smart Charlotte programs.
• Develop and execute strategic communications plans to build public awareness and engagement around Smart City initiatives.
• Coordinate public events, storytelling campaigns, and digital communications in collaboration with the city's marketing and communications teams.
• Represent the department in public meetings, conferences, and working groups, delivering presentations and impact updates.
• Grant Strategy & Performance Reporting Identify, evaluate, and recommend grant funding opportunities to support innovation, smart city, and digital equity work.
• Lead or assist in proposal writing, budget planning, performance tracking, and grant compliance reporting.
• Collaborate with departments and external partners to align funding proposals with strategic priorities and community needs.
• Research, Policy, & Ecosystem Development Conduct in-depth research on emerging technologies, civic tech trends, and smart city policies to inform program design.
• Maintain and expand a digital Rolodex of collaborators, vendors, and thought leaders across the public and private sectors.
• Contribute to internal knowledge management by documenting program frameworks, vendor evaluations, and lessons learned.

Benefits

• The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
• Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED