Vice President, Programs & Impact
The Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, Cleveland, OH, United States
POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President of Programs (VP Programs) serves as NEOHCED’s Associate Director and second-in-command, providing enterprise-level leadership to ensure program excellence, compliance, and measurable impact across the organization. This role directly supervises the Program Directors for the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Development Team strengthening service quality, operational consistency, staff performance, and outcomes.
In close partnership with the President & CEO, the VP Programs leads internal quality and impact systems, supports strategic planning and execution, and helps ensure NEOHCED meets or exceeds all grant and contract requirements. The VP Programs is also a key leader in funding readiness—working closely with the Development team on grant compliance, reporting, and performance narratives.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
Oversees the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) & Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Directors and programs.
Act as internal program operations leader in the CEO’s absence, as assigned.
Oversees the development Team, included donor relations, grants and contracts
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervise MBAC and SBDC Program Directors, providing clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and support.
Ensure each program consistently delivers high-quality, client-centered technical assistance aligned with NEOHCED’s mission and community commitments.
Lead program management routines (1:1s, team performance reviews, staffing/capacity planning, issue escalation).
Promote cross-program coordination (referrals, shared outreach, joint programming) while honoring each program’s unique contractual requirements and deliverables.
Establish and maintain organization-wide program quality standards (client experience, documentation, timeliness, follow-up, service consistency).
Implement continuous improvement cycles across programs (monthly KPI reviews, quarterly program reviews, corrective action plans).
Identify operational and performance gaps, lead solutions in partnership with program directors.
Create and maintain shared playbooks/SOPs and standardized tools/templates to improve consistency.
Provide leadership and support on all lines of business of the organization (CV25, CRECE Loan Fund, Communications and Development)
Partner with the President & CEO and program directors to define targets and outcomes (e.g., businesses served, advising hours, capital accessed, procurement outcomes, jobs created/retained, business starts, revenue growth, client satisfaction).
Build and maintain leadership dashboards and reporting rhythms for executive and board-level visibility.
Ensure strong data quality and documentation across multiple CRMs, recognizing that each program uses the CRM required by its contracting entity.
Turn performance and impact data into actionable recommendations for leadership decisions and resource allocation.
Work closely with the Development team to support grant strategy, proposal development, renewals, and funder communications.
Ensure programs maintain compliance with all grant/contract requirements, including documentation standards, deliverables tracking, and outcome verification.
Oversee reporting workflows and monitoring readiness, coordinate responses to corrective actions and funder inquiries.
Partner with Finance and Development to ensure staffing, budgets, and program plans align with contract/grant requirements and restrictions.
Support program directors in hiring, onboarding, performance management, coaching, and professional development for their teams.
Strengthen internal management systems (role clarity, supervision standards, training plans, workload balancing).
Build leadership bench strength and succession planning within MBAC and SBDC teams.
Reinforce a culture of accountability, learning, and equity-centered service.
Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in annual planning, goal setting, and execution management across programs.
Lead cross-functional initiatives as assigned (new program pilots, partnership initiatives, internal capacity-building projects).
Represent NEOHCED externally with partners, funders, and stakeholders as delegated by the CEO.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
8+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit program leadership, economic development, small business services, workforce development, or related fields (or equivalent experience).
Demonstrated success supervising senior leaders (program directors/managers) and improving performance through coaching and accountability.
Strong experience with grant/contract compliance, funder reporting, and performance monitoring.
Proven ability to build and manage systems for program quality assurance, outcomes measurement, and continuous improvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear performance and impact reporting.
Direct experience with MBAC and/or SBDC program models and their typical deliverables and reporting requirements.
Experience working across multiple CRMs/case management systems and standardizing data practices without changing required platforms.
Experience partnering with Development teams on proposal development and renewals.
Master’s degree in public administration, business, nonprofit management, or related field (or comparable experience).
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES The specific personal traits required to accomplish the essential duties of this job successfully include:
Executive judgment and discretion; high integrity and confidentiality
Strong people leadership, coaching, and performance management
Systems thinking and operational rigor
Data fluency (KPIs, dashboards, data integrity, outcome measurement)
Compliance orientation with practical execution
Cross-functional collaboration and influence
Equity-centered, client-centered service mindset
Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive measurable results
PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Full-time leadership role; occasional evening/weekend work for community events, partner meetings, and reporting deadlines.
In-person/hybrid expectations as defined by NEOHCED operational needs and community presence priorities.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Prolonged periods of walking and standing.
Must be able to lift-up to 20 pounds at times.
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT encourages applicants of all ages.
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In close partnership with the President & CEO, the VP Programs leads internal quality and impact systems, supports strategic planning and execution, and helps ensure NEOHCED meets or exceeds all grant and contract requirements. The VP Programs is also a key leader in funding readiness—working closely with the Development team on grant compliance, reporting, and performance narratives.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
Oversees the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) & Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Directors and programs.
Act as internal program operations leader in the CEO’s absence, as assigned.
Oversees the development Team, included donor relations, grants and contracts
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervise MBAC and SBDC Program Directors, providing clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and support.
Ensure each program consistently delivers high-quality, client-centered technical assistance aligned with NEOHCED’s mission and community commitments.
Lead program management routines (1:1s, team performance reviews, staffing/capacity planning, issue escalation).
Promote cross-program coordination (referrals, shared outreach, joint programming) while honoring each program’s unique contractual requirements and deliverables.
Establish and maintain organization-wide program quality standards (client experience, documentation, timeliness, follow-up, service consistency).
Implement continuous improvement cycles across programs (monthly KPI reviews, quarterly program reviews, corrective action plans).
Identify operational and performance gaps, lead solutions in partnership with program directors.
Create and maintain shared playbooks/SOPs and standardized tools/templates to improve consistency.
Provide leadership and support on all lines of business of the organization (CV25, CRECE Loan Fund, Communications and Development)
Partner with the President & CEO and program directors to define targets and outcomes (e.g., businesses served, advising hours, capital accessed, procurement outcomes, jobs created/retained, business starts, revenue growth, client satisfaction).
Build and maintain leadership dashboards and reporting rhythms for executive and board-level visibility.
Ensure strong data quality and documentation across multiple CRMs, recognizing that each program uses the CRM required by its contracting entity.
Turn performance and impact data into actionable recommendations for leadership decisions and resource allocation.
Work closely with the Development team to support grant strategy, proposal development, renewals, and funder communications.
Ensure programs maintain compliance with all grant/contract requirements, including documentation standards, deliverables tracking, and outcome verification.
Oversee reporting workflows and monitoring readiness, coordinate responses to corrective actions and funder inquiries.
Partner with Finance and Development to ensure staffing, budgets, and program plans align with contract/grant requirements and restrictions.
Support program directors in hiring, onboarding, performance management, coaching, and professional development for their teams.
Strengthen internal management systems (role clarity, supervision standards, training plans, workload balancing).
Build leadership bench strength and succession planning within MBAC and SBDC teams.
Reinforce a culture of accountability, learning, and equity-centered service.
Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in annual planning, goal setting, and execution management across programs.
Lead cross-functional initiatives as assigned (new program pilots, partnership initiatives, internal capacity-building projects).
Represent NEOHCED externally with partners, funders, and stakeholders as delegated by the CEO.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
8+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit program leadership, economic development, small business services, workforce development, or related fields (or equivalent experience).
Demonstrated success supervising senior leaders (program directors/managers) and improving performance through coaching and accountability.
Strong experience with grant/contract compliance, funder reporting, and performance monitoring.
Proven ability to build and manage systems for program quality assurance, outcomes measurement, and continuous improvement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear performance and impact reporting.
Direct experience with MBAC and/or SBDC program models and their typical deliverables and reporting requirements.
Experience working across multiple CRMs/case management systems and standardizing data practices without changing required platforms.
Experience partnering with Development teams on proposal development and renewals.
Master’s degree in public administration, business, nonprofit management, or related field (or comparable experience).
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES The specific personal traits required to accomplish the essential duties of this job successfully include:
Executive judgment and discretion; high integrity and confidentiality
Strong people leadership, coaching, and performance management
Systems thinking and operational rigor
Data fluency (KPIs, dashboards, data integrity, outcome measurement)
Compliance orientation with practical execution
Cross-functional collaboration and influence
Equity-centered, client-centered service mindset
Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive measurable results
PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Full-time leadership role; occasional evening/weekend work for community events, partner meetings, and reporting deadlines.
In-person/hybrid expectations as defined by NEOHCED operational needs and community presence priorities.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Prolonged periods of walking and standing.
Must be able to lift-up to 20 pounds at times.
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT encourages applicants of all ages.
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