Program Operations Lead

What began as a local favorite near The Ohio State University’s campus has grown into a world-class fast casual restaurant. Our mission is to deliver fresh, high-quality food while delivering overflowing care to our guests and team members. Through our non-profit foundation, Charleys Kids, we partner with community organizations around the world to deliver education, mentorship, and food literacy education to underserved youth. We strive to serve our communities and strengthen our neighbors. Today, Charleys and our franchisee partners employ 10,000 people in 45 U.S. states and 15 countries around the world.

Program Operations Lead

About Charleys Kids Foundation

Charleys Kids Foundation is a nonprofit organization sponsored by Charleys Cheesesteaks. The program is dedicated to helping children reach their full potential through education, mentorship, and access to healthy food. Through innovative direct-service programs, including Children's Tutoring Initiative and Leaders Arise, the partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the United States and internationally, Charleys Kids Foundation invests in opportunities that strengthen children, families, and communities.

Position Overview

The Program Operations Lead serves as a key leader within Charleys Kids Foundation, working alongside the Charleys Kids Foundation team to oversee the Foundation's day-to-day operations and drive organizational excellence. This role ensures programs are implemented effectively, projects move from planning to execution, partnerships remain strong, communication is seamless, and operational systems support sustainable growth.

The Director of Program Operations serves as the operational leader of the Foundation by connecting people, managing priorities, strengthening relationships, and building the infrastructure necessary to expand Charleys Kids Foundation's impact.

Key Responsibilities

Program Operations

Lead the day-to-day operations of Charleys Kids Foundation programs, ensuring consistency, quality, and organizational effectiveness.

Develop and manage operational systems, project timelines, and implementation plans that support organizational efficiency and support long-term growth.

Monitor organizational progress toward strategic goals and implement solutions that strengthen program quality.

Project Management

Serve as the Foundation's project manager by coordinating initiatives from planning through completion.

Track action items, deadlines, and deliverables while ensuring accountability and communication across the team.

Develop infrastructure and systems that allow programs to expand while maintaining quality and consistency.

Community Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts, principals, literacy leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, civic groups, and community partners.

Serve as the Foundation's ambassador by representing Charleys Kids at community meetings, networking events, conferences, volunteer fairs, and public presentations.

Develop and implement strategies to recruit volunteers through community outreach, businesses, colleges, faith communities, and special events.

Coordinate volunteer recruitment campaigns, informational presentations, and community tabling events, including scheduling, logistics, materials, and team coordination.

Conduct regular site visits to strengthen partnerships, support program implementation, and identify opportunities for collaboration and expansion.

Executive Partnership

Partner closely with the Executive Director to advance the Foundation's strategic priorities.

Translate organizational vision into actionable implementation plans.

Coordinate cross-functional initiatives that support the Foundation's mission.

Anticipate organizational needs, identify solutions, and ensure timely follow-through.

Serve as a trusted thought partner and operational leader who helps move the organization forward.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience.

Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and coordinating multiple priorities.

Is action oriented and able to complete tasks from start to finish.

Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.

Experience working with schools, community organizations, or nonprofits.

Ability to work independently while leading collaborative initiatives.

Passion for education, mentorship, literacy, and community impact.

Benefits Offered

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Healthcare spending account (HAS)

Retirement benefits or accounts

Gym memberships or discounts

Employee discounts

GOSH is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process and throughout employment, as required by applicable law. If you require assistance or accommodation, please inform us so we can ensure your needs are met. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.