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.

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, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the United States and internationally, Charleys Kids Foundation invests in opportunities that strengthen children, families, and communities.

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 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

• Generous paid time off
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Healthcare spending account (HSA)
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Gym memberships or discounts
• Employee discounts