Program Officer, Community Economic Development

Position Summary

LISC Philadelphia is seeking a seasoned professional with a strong commitment to community strengthening to serve as our Program Officer of Community Economic Development. The Program Officer is responsible for working closely with the Senior Program Officer and key staff to develop the strategic direction for its small business supports program implementation and community economic development priorities. This includes strategy development, support and leadership on program implementation, and resource development. The Program Officer will have excellent organizational, collaboration, communication, and program management skills. The position requires a strong commitment to customer focus and to the role of community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs) as agents of change as well an understanding of key public and private partners who can offer additional resources to the work of community development. With the Senior Program Officer, the Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of all small business support programming and cross-team collaborations to strengthen program delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community & Corridor Strategy

• Develop a deep understanding of target neighborhoods and commercial corridors, including leadership structures, community assets, challenges, business needs, and local market dynamics.
• Support neighborhood and corridor revitalization through strategic planning, collaborative problem-solving, and alignment of community-based organizations (CBOs), business development organizations (BDOs), funders, and public-sector partners.
• Provide non-technical, strategic guidance on physical corridor improvements-helping partners conceptualize priorities, assess feasibility, and align redevelopment ideas with community goals.

Partner Engagement & Capacity Building

• Strengthen organizational capacity through targeted technical assistance, professional development, training, coaching, and peer-learning opportunities.
• Facilitate learning networks for corridor managers to improve corridor management, placemaking, small business support, and safety strategies.
• Coordinate with colleagues to support projects and systems level work that advance community and economic development priorities.

Program Design, Delivery & Alignment

• Develop, refine, and implement innovative program strategies to meet corridor and neighborhood workplan goals.
• Plan and facilitate meetings, workshops, trainings, and cohort sessions to support program execution and field-building.
  
  

Field-Building & Best Practice Development

• Monitor emerging national best practices in commercial corridor strategy, small business support, and equitable economic development, and adapt them to local context.
• Work with the SPO and BDO Regional Lead to support the coordination and alignment of BDOs within LISC's broader small business support strategy, ensuring consistent expectations, feasible shared outcomes, and pathways for collaboration.

Grant & Contract Management

• Manage grants and contracts with CBOs, government sources and consultants throughout the lifecycle, including due diligence, compliance, monitoring, and reporting.
• Manage data collection, performance measurement, and outcome tracking across corridor programs.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or relevant requisite work experience.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in community development, community organizing, program management or a related field.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to facilitate, conduct trainings, project management, GIS and relevant research.
• Interest or a background in economic development with a focus on supporting small businesses.
• A strong commitment to furthering social and economic equity is required; experience in a non-profit environment is helpful.
• Working knowledge of the economic, political and social environments of Philadelphia
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex matters and programs at various stages and to coordinate with multiple internal and external parties to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Compensation

LISC provides a competitive salary ($73,139 -$91,424) and excellent fringe benefits for this position.