Program Officer, Community Programs

Arts Science & Cultural Council of Charlotte-Meckl•Charlotte, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Officer, Community Programs is a full-time, exempt position responsible for leading and managing the Arts & Science Council’s (ASC) community-focused grant programs, including Venue Access Grants and Community Connector Grants, as well as supporting additional programmatic initiatives. This role, under the supervision of the Vice President of Community & Artist Support, is crucial for advancing accessible, high-impact community programming across Mecklenburg County. The Program Officer will manage the entire lifecycle of assigned grant programs, act as the main contact for applicants and grantees, and ensure funded activities are delivered with quality, integrity, and community relevance. The position requires significant experience in program observation, evaluation, and feedback, including attending funded programs and providing constructive guidance to grantees. Collaboration with the ASC’s Culture Blocks team is essential to align investments, maximize community impact, and ensure equitable funding distribution without duplication.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in program management, grantmaking, arts administration, or community-based work within a nonprofit setting.
Demonstrated experience in program evaluation, facilitation, and/or community programming.
Strong understanding of the Mecklenburg County cultural landscape and community needs.
Ability to engage diverse communities with cultural awareness and humility.
Commitment to equitable access to arts, science, and cultural programming.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback in a professional and supportive manner.
Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
Strategic thinking and attention to detail.
Proficient in MS Office Suite.
Strong commitment to service and public impact.
Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.
Interest in program quality, continuous improvement, and community impact measurement.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with artists, cultural organizations, or community-based initiatives strongly preferred.
Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.
Experience with grant management systems (ASC uses Blackbaud Grantmaking) preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the full portfolio of assigned Community Programs, including Venue Access Grants, Community Connector Grants, dotted line accountability to Festival funding opportunities as well as additional initiatives as assigned.
Design, manage, and refine program guidelines, criteria, timelines, and reporting processes to align with ASC’s strategic goals.
Lead all phases of the grant lifecycle including outreach, application development, review coordination, award recommendations, contracting, and reporting.
Provide clear guidance and technical assistance to applicants and grantees on program expectations, eligibility, and best practices.
Facilitate fair and transparent review processes, including recruiting and training panelists, synthesizing panel feedback, and preparing recommendations for leadership and board approval.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of grant agreements, payments, and compliance requirements.
Monitor grantee progress and performance through reporting, communication, and documentation.
Attend and observe funded programs across Mecklenburg County to assess program delivery, quality, and community impact.
Provide constructive, actionable feedback to grantees to support continuous improvement in program design and execution.
Identify strengths and areas for growth in funded programming, with attention to accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and community engagement.
Track and analyze program data to assess outcomes, identify trends, and inform future program design and funding strategies.
Contribute to the development of evaluation frameworks and tools that strengthen program quality and impact.
Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, nonprofits, community partners, and cultural leaders.
Partner with the Culture Blocks team to align funding strategies, coordinate outreach, and ensure equitable distribution of resources without duplication across programs.
Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration between ASC-funded initiatives and community-led programming.
Represent ASC at community meetings, workshops, and events.
Contribute to departmental planning and strategic initiatives within Community & Artist Support.
Support storytelling and reporting efforts by translating program outcomes into clear qualitative and quantitative insights.
Prepare internal and external reports, presentations, and materials for leadership and stakeholders.
Stay current with best practices in grantmaking, community programming, and cultural sector trends.