Program Manager, Charlotte NeuroArts Coalition - Charlotte Is Creative

Role : Program Manager, Charlotte NeuroArts Coalition
Type : Independent contractor
Compensation : $60,000 per year
Hours : Approximately 30-40 per week, including some evenings and weekends
Location : Remote, with regular in-person presence across Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Term : Three-year engagement (2027-2029), renewed annually based on evaluation and funding
Start Date : January 1, 2027

At Charlotte Is Creative (CIC), we want Charlotte to be known as the most welcoming and supportive community in the country for artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs. Our work centers around our mission to provide the resources, training, connections and opportunities that emerging artists and creative entrepreneurs need to be supported and successful in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

The Opportunity

CIC has established and leads a Community NeuroArts Coalition in Charlotte, NC using cross-sector collaborations to advance evidence-based arts research and programs with a goal of improving community health, wellbeing, cohesion and resilience.

The Charlotte NeuroArts Coalition is in an exciting early stage of development. Over the next three years, the coalition will bring together leaders and organizations across the arts, healthcare, research and community sectors to build a stronger ecosystem for arts and health in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

This is an opportunity to help build something, not simply manage something that already exists. The Program Manager will help shape the relationships, infrastructure, systems and shared practices that allow this cross-sector work to take root and grow. From developing ArtsRx referral pathways and supporting community-based programs to strengthening evaluation with research partners and documenting outcomes, this role will help translate a shared vision into meaningful action.

The ideal candidate will be energized by working at the intersection of sectors and perspectives, comfortable navigating both strategy and implementation, and excited by the opportunity to help shape how Charlotte understands and invests in the connection between arts, health and community wellbeing.

Position Summary

The NeuroArts Program Manager plays a central role in bringing the coalition’s vision to life, coordinating the people, projects and partnerships that make up this cross-sector effort. This position is essential to keeping the coalition’s work moving forward, ensuring that artists, arts organizations, healthcare partners, community referral partners, researchers and participants stay connected, informed and aligned around shared goals. The Coalition Manager works closely with CIC’s Executive Director and Director of Programs & Strategy, serving as the day-to-day point of contact for coalition partners. This role calls for someone who is highly organized, a clear and consistent communicator, and a natural relationship builder. It’s an excellent opportunity for an experienced program or project manager who is passionate about the arts, community health and cross-sector collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Coalition Coordination

• Coordinate steering committee and working group meetings, including scheduling, agendas, materials, note-taking and action item tracking
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for coalition partners, keeping communication consistent and timely across sectors
• Maintain calendars, project timelines and a partner contact database
• Prepare regular progress updates for CIC leadership, the steering committee and funders

Relationship Building & Partnerships

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with artists, arts organizations, healthcare partners, research institutions, schools, faith communities, social service agencies and local government
• Identify and welcome new partners and stakeholders, especially grassroots arts organizations, individual artists and referral providers
• Represent the coalition at community meetings, conferences and public events
• Stay connected to the national NeuroArts Blueprint network and peer coalition sites, bringing ideas and learning back to Charlotte

Program & Project Management

• Manage and coordinate community education and artist training opportunities
• Support the pilot’s priority arts programs as they co-design and implement programming
• Help design and launch ArtsRx referral pathways with healthcare partners, schools, social workers, faith communities, and community organizations
• Track milestones, deliverables and budgets across projects, flagging challenges early and helping partners find solutions

Evaluation & Measurement

• Coordinator with research partners to put evaluation frameworks and data collection into practice across programs
• Support program partners in understanding and following data collection processes
• Compile outcomes data and translate findings into clear reports and summaries for partners and funders

Communications & Convenings

• Plan and coordinate the coalition’s larger public convenings and more intimate community events
• Coordinate efforts with “Communications” working group and appropriate staff to develop shared language, messaging and content calendars around arts and health, including the idea of artists as providers
• Draft content for newsletters, social media, presentations, funder reports and annual reports
• Collect stories from participants, artists and partners that bring the coalition’s impact to life

Qualifications

We’re looking for a collaborative, self-directed program or project manager who can build trusted relationships, bring people together, and move complex work forward. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, partners, timelines and deliverables.
• Cross-sector relationship-building experience, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and find common ground among people and organizations with different perspectives and priorities.
• Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to guide productive conversations, navigate different perspectives and help groups move from discussion to action.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and translate information for a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and follow-through, with the ability to work independently, anticipate needs, track details and keep multiple workstreams moving.
• Experience with evaluation, data collection or outcomes reporting, and an ability to use data and learning to strengthen programs and communicate impact.
• A proactive and solutions-oriented approach, with the judgment and flexibility to navigate an evolving, collaborative initiative.
• Experience in grant writing, funder reporting or working with philanthropic partners.
• Experience in planning and coordinating convenings, trainings or community events.

Experience or knowledge in any of the following is preferred, but not required:

• Arts and health, NeuroArts, social prescribing or related fields
• Healthcare, public health or community health
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s arts, healthcare and community landscape
• Experience working with artists, arts organizations or community-based organizations

We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of fields and professional backgrounds. We are especially interested in people who have demonstrated the ability to build relationships across sectors, manage complex collaborative work and turn shared ideas into action.

Working Conditions

Charlotte Is Creative is a remote-first organization that values flexibility, collaboration and community engagement. This role is primarily remote, with regular in-person presence at partner meetings, program sites, events and convenings. Candidates must have access to reliable transportation and be willing to travel throughout Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region to support coalition meetings, programs and community events. This role requires flexibility for evening and weekend hours to support meetings, events and convenings.

Compensation

This is an independent contractor position with an annual contract of $60,000, for an estimated 30-40 hours per week. As a contractor, this position is not eligible for CIC’s benefits package.

This is a three-year position aligned with the coalition’s pilot (January 2027 through December 2029). The contract will be renewed annually based on evaluation and available funding. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.

Charlotte Is Creative is an equal opportunity organization. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences.