Vice President, Programs and Operations

Founded in 2012, The Acceleration Project (TAP)'s mission is to empower under-resourced small business owners and accelerate their success by providing high-impact and customized strategic, financial, operational, and marketing support. Small businesses are a vital engine of our economy, and TAP supports entrepreneurs who lack access to critical networks and resources. TAP has worked directly with more than 11,000 small business owners and touched the lives of more than 100,000. And we're just getting started. TAP is at an inflection point, with growing corporate and foundation partnerships, geographic expansion, a new digital community platform, and an ambitious plan to dramatically scale our reach over the next five years. This is a rare opportunity to help build the infrastructure that makes that growth possible.The RoleThe VP of Programs & Operations is a senior leader who thrives at the intersection of people, systems, and strategy. Reporting to the COO, you'll own the operational backbone of TAP's service delivery, overseeing client programs, consultant network management, community engagement, grant finance, capacity planning, and impact measurement. You'll directly manage a team of service delivery directors and partner closely with the VP of Programs & Partnerships to ensure every program runs smoothly, on time, on budget, and at the quality level TAP's clients deserve.This role is for someone who gets energized by building: building teams, building systems, and building toward something bigger.Full-time, primarily remote with a flexible schedule; periodic in-person meetings and events in the Westchester/NYC area.What You'll DoDrive Operational Excellence Across All ProgramsLead TAP's end-to-end service delivery operations, from client onboarding through completion and follow-up, across all program modalities (direct engagements, group programs, and community initiatives)Integrate AI tools and automation to streamline workflows and elevate the client experienceDesign clear pathways between program formats to deepen client retention and maximize impactEstablish and uphold quality standards that scale without sacrificing the personalized experience TAP is known forPartner with the VP of Programs & Partnerships to build data-informed service models that balance efficiency and quality as TAP growsOwn Staffing, Capacity & Consultant PipelineLead pipeline operations, staffing cadence, and capacity planning across all delivery teams, ensuring the right people are deployed to the right programs at the right timeOversee TAP's pro bono talent pipeline end-to-end: recruitment, onboarding, matching, training, and performance managementTrack consultant utilization rates and proactively address capacity gaps before they affect delivery qualityBuild scalable staffing models that support growth without compromising excellenceLead Grant Finance & Program-Level Financial ManagementOwn grant budgeting and financial oversight across all program delivery, working closely with the finance team on tracking, expense management, and reportingApply P&L fluency to service delivery, managing program budgets, understanding cost structures, and making resource decisions grounded in financial dataDevelop financial models that help leadership understand the true cost of each program modality and make informed decisions about pricing, staffing, and scaleEnsure grant compliance and provide financial input into proposals and partnership pricingSet the Performance StandardOwn the design, tracking, and quarterly review of all service delivery OKRs, working with directors to set targets, measure progress, and course-correctBuild and maintain scorecards and dashboards that give leadership real-time visibility into program health, client outcomes, and team productivityUse data analytics and AI tools to surface trends, flag risks, and generate actionable insightsMeasure and Elevate TAP's ImpactDevelop comprehensive evaluation systems that capture both immediate outcomes and long-term impact, aligned with client needs and funder expectationsEnsure data integrity and rigorous impact measurement across all programsSurface insights from delivery data that strengthen TAP's thought leadership and visibility in the small business support ecosystemBe a Cross-Functional ConnectorServe as a key thought partner to the COO on strategy, capacity planning, and organizational initiativesAct as the primary operational liaison across development, marketing, finance, and talent, keeping program delivery cohesive and well-supportedFlag capacity risks to the development team early; align program milestones with the marketing team's storytelling and funder engagement effortsLead and Develop Your TeamDirectly manage service delivery directors across multiple functions, providing clear goals, regular feedback, and genuine investment in their growthBuild a team culture that is collaborative, mission-driven, and accountableChampion AI tool adoption across the delivery team, helping staff work smarter and more effectivelyWhat You BringRequired:Bachelor's degree7+ years in program operations, project management, or nonprofit service delivery, with at least 3 years leading multiple teams at a senior levelStrong financial acumen: grant budgeting, P&L management, program-level financial planning, and cost analysisProven track record in building and scaling operational systems that enable program growthExceptional people management skills as a developer of talent and builder of high-performing teamsStrong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into executive-level insights and reportingExcellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of an organizationDeep passion for economic empowerment, small business development, and equity for under-resourced entrepreneursPreferred:MBA, MPA, or advanced degreeExperience with CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred) and data-driven performance managementDemonstrated use of AI tools to improve operational efficiency and program deliveryExperience managing consultant, contractor, or volunteer networks at scaleStrong cross-functional collaboration skills across revenue, finance, marketing, and program teamsCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive salary of $92,500 annually, commensurate with experienceGenerous PTO + 10 paid holidays + 2 floating holidaysTime off between Christmas and New Year'sHealth and dental insurance403(b) retirement planHow to ApplySubmit your resume and cover letter to careers@theaccelerationproject.orgwith "VP of Programs and Operations"in the subject line.In your cover letter, please respond to the following:Why TAP's mission resonates with you, and how your background in program operations or service delivery has prepared you to help scale it.An example of a time you built or improved an operational system, what problem you were solving, how you approached it, and how you measured its impact.How you've used data, AI, or technology tools to make your work or your team's work more efficient or effective.The deadline to apply is April 24, 2026.TAP is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications from members of all under-resourced groups are encouraged.