Program Associate

Organization Overview: The South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED) is a dynamic membership and intermediary organization comprised of over 200 community development corporations (CDCs), community development financial institutions (CDFIs), other nonprofits, financial institutions, local governments, and philanthropic partners. We are an equal opportunity organization committed to ending poverty through wealth-building in South Carolina. Our members and partners advance affordable housing, financial literacy, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, and other community development initiatives that strengthen low-wealth communities statewide.

Position Summary: The Program Associate is a high-energy, detail-oriented person responsible for providing programmatic and administrative support to the Rural Program Director and the Capacity Building Program Director. This position assists with administration, logistics, communication, and reporting for a portfolio of initiatives including:

• Community Investment Fund (CIF) Grant Program
• Community Development Institute (CDI) Training Program
• CDC/CDFI Certification Program
• Workforce Housing Program
• South Carolina Electric Cooperative Program
• REAP (Rural Energy for America Program)
• Red Cross Resiliency Program

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced nonprofit environment, demonstrate initiative and attention to detail, and bring strong interpersonal and organizational skills to a collaborative team. This position is full-time (40hr/week). While some remote work may be possible, in-person, on-site work is required. Periodic state-wide travel is also required. The Program Associate reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Coordination & Administration

• Support Program Directors in managing multiple grant and training programs, including scheduling, documentation, and follow-up.
• Maintain a master program calendar tracking deadlines, deliverables, reporting dates, and grant milestones.
• Assist with data entry, document management, and filing systems for grant compliance and partner tracking.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, and partner documentation including scopes of work, deliverables, and invoicing.
• Assist in drafting progress and grant reports, compiling data and success stories from field partners.
• Event and Training Support
• Provide logistical and administrative support for CDI workshops, Rural Resource Coalition (RRC) meetings, and Workforce Housing sessions.
• Support in-person and virtual trainings, including setup, materials, travel coordination, and technology support.
• Compile post-event evaluations and feedback summaries to support program improvement and reporting.
• Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
• Draft and edit program updates, newsletters, and event materials in collaboration with communications staff.
• Assist with the development of flyers, one-pagers, and promotional materials to highlight program achievements.
• Maintain contact lists and partner databases for each program area.
• Support stakeholder engagement through follow-up calls, surveys, and member outreach to document impact stories.
• Data Management and Reporting
• Maintain accurate data dashboards and tracking systems across all supported programs.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly summaries of program outcomes for funders and internal reporting.
• Assist in preparing visual materials (charts, tables, infographics) for reports and presentations.
• Administrative and Cross-Team Support
• Schedule and coordinate internal and external meetings for both Program Directors.
• Support travel logistics for rural site visits, partner meetings, and conferences.
• Maintain organized shared drives and digital archives for all programs.
• Serve as a liaison with other SCACED departments (communications, finance, membership) to ensure integrated support across initiatives.

Skills & Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in community development, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in program development, project coordination, or nonprofit administration.
• Demonstrated experience in program evaluation, design, or implementation.
• Strong understanding of community development and experience working with low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); comfort with data entry and database management systems.
• Familiarity with statewide community and economic development initiatives is a plus.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally statewide to partner sites and events.

Attributes for Success

• Energetic and collaborative team player with a proactive approach.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accountability for deadlines.
• Demonstrates patience, respect, and professionalism when engaging community partners.
• Comfortable working in both administrative and community-based settings.
• Values SCACED's mission to build wealth and opportunity in low-wealth communities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40, $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings