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Position Overview:

NC IDEA is seeking a Program Operations Coordinator to support the planning, coordination, and execution of our entrepreneur support programs. This role is ideal for an early-career professional who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and interested in building a career supporting startup founders and entrepreneurial programs.

The Program Operations Coordinator will play a key role in ensuring that NC IDEA’s programs run smoothly, from managing schedules and communications to coordinating logistics for accelerator cohorts, workshops, and events.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with experienced program leaders, interact with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners across North Carolina, and gain firsthand exposure to the startup and innovation community.

This position reports to NC IDEA’s Vice President, Programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Operations & Coordination

• Support planning, scheduling, and operational logistics for NC IDEA programs, including accelerators, workshops, and founder support initiatives
• Coordinate calendars, program timelines, and key program milestones
• Assist with organizing cohort activities, mentor meetings, and program events
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts for venues, catering and other program/event related partnerships and expenses
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and program materials
• Support proposal development, data collection and project administration and reporting.

External Communications

• Coordinate communications with entrepreneurs, mentors, partners, and program participants
• Manage program correspondence, updates, and logistical communication with participants
• Support outreach and coordination with entrepreneurial ecosystem partners across North Carolina

Program Delivery Support

• Assist program leaders with execution of accelerator and founder support programs
• Coordinate meeting logistics, program sessions, and supporting materials
• Help ensure smooth participant experiences across all program activities

Operational Support

• Track program activities, schedules, data, and deliverables
• Support internal coordination across NC IDEA team members
• Assist with preparation of program reports, materials, and documentation

Additional Responsibilities

• Support other programmatic initiatives of the Foundation as needed
• Participate in program events and occasional ecosystem activities across North Carolina
• Support grant application review processes

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational skills, professional curiosity, and a desire to contribute to a high-performing team focused on supporting entrepreneurs.

Preferred qualifications include:

• 0–5 years of professional work experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities that balance quality, clarity, empathy and responsiveness
• Comfort managing multiple schedules, tasks, and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail and follow-through
• Interest in startups, entrepreneurship, and economic development
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with lots of context switching
• Positive attitude and willingness to take initiative

This role is well-suited for a high-potential early-career professional seeking to grow into larger operations management, program management or leadership responsibilities over time.