Program Specialist

THE ORGANIZATION:  

Accion Opportunity Fund is an unparalleled financial support system that provides small business owners with access to capital, networks, and coaching. We work to build inclusive and accessible options for these determined business owners. For over 25 years we have served a client base that is nearly 90% from underserved communities.   

In addition to providing resources and loans to small businesses, we also conduct original research, advocate for policy changes, and finance community construction projects in low-income neighborhoods through our New Markets Tax Credit program.  

AOF is on a journey to both scale our impact and become financially sustainable.  We’re building a better system for underserved small businesses and a workplace where passionate problem-solvers, data-driven thinkers, and small business champions thrive.    

For more information about us, visit https://aofund.org/  

ROLE SUMMARY:  

Reporting to the Senior Partnership Program Manager, the Program Specialist will be responsible for leading a variety of national programs that connect small business owners with the tools and resources they need to reach their goals in collaboration with corporate and nonprofit partners.  

The Program Specialist will be responsible for effective program execution; lead campaigns that engage AOF’s funder and client audiences; and drive participation in our programs. The ideal candidate has experience in relationship management, is familiar with various digital communications channels, and is passionate about community and economic development. This person can be based anywhere in the U.S. with occasional domestic work travel required.  

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the delivery of programs with national funding partners, including promotion, virtual and in-person event leadership, communications, and post-program engagement. 
• Lead short-term, regional, or other ad-hoc partnership initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create and execute promotional strategies for various program offerings and regular newsletters to increase engagement. 
• Contribute to content calendars and manage deliverable timelines across internal and external teams. 
• Lead regular planning meetings with external partners to align partnership priorities. 
• Coordinate cause marketing initiatives with funding partners. 
• Incorporate funding partners’ priorities into the team’s content strategy. 
• Provide strategic input for content creation and promotion according to partner specifications. 
• Manage internal collaboration to respond to partner requests for information. 
• Oversee and execute outreach to small business owners who engage in our programs to understand trends, feedback, challenges, and opportunities. 
• Lead and manage event planning and execution to support small business owners, virtually and eventually in-person, around the country in collaboration with program partners. This includes all aspects of event planning, such as event marketing and outreach, vendor identification and contracting, speaker/presenter identification and recruitment, developing and tracking event budgets, preparing printed materials for the event, coordinating day of logistics, and reporting on outcomes. 
• Occasional domestic work travel required. 

MUST HAVES:  

• Minimum of three years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Highly detail-oriented.  
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to quickly gather and synthesize information to communicate with a public audience. 
• Proven ability to effectively communicate timelines and priorities across multiple stakeholders. 
• Experience planning events for audiences of 50 or more attendees.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Canva, and Google Analytics.  
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines. 
• Excellent at multi-tasking and prioritizing tasks against broader organizational goals with a positive, can-do attitude. 
• An entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, flexible, creative, comfortable with a fast-paced work culture. 
• Sound judgment, decision-making skills and ability to problem solve. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively build meaningful relationships with key stakeholders. 
• Commitment to community development and the organization’s mission of empowering underserved small business owners. 

NICE TO HAVES:  

• Knowledge of digital analytics and insights. 
• Experience with the small business support ecosystem.
• Experience creating successful marketing campaigns that engage small business owners.
• Spanish bilingual preferred. 

PERKS AND BENEFITS: 

Our mission is what motivates us to come to work each day. We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• An environment that values work-life balance and monthly remote work reimbursements.
• 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverage for employees (Based upon your plan selection). 90% company-funded dependent coverage (Based upon your plan selection) as well as Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Voluntary benefits with payroll deduction for Supplemental Life & AD&D insurance and legal plans.
• Tax deferred & Roth 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match. 
• Unlimited paid vacation days, 12 paid holidays, 1 floating paid holiday, 10 Sick days, and paid parental leave.

We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at Accion Opportunity Fund. AOF does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

Salary Range*:  $55,200-$75,900

*Please note that the above salary range is a national range, and compensation is dependent upon the candidate’s experience and skill level.