Program Director Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Downtown Works (DTWX) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Central City Association (CCA), advancing workforce development, education, research, and community initiatives that strengthen opportunity and drive growth. By partnering with employers, educators, nonprofits, and civic leaders, DTWX complements CCA’s advocacy and member-driven work by delivering programs that expand opportunity, support local businesses, and contribute to community revitalization.

TITLE: Program Director

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience

LOCATION: Downtown Los Angeles

TO APPLY: Submit resume and cover letter to info@dtwx.org

ABOUT VACANT TO VIBRANT

Vacant to Vibrant is a new initiative of Downtown Works created to address the persistently high rate of vacant, ground-floor storefronts in Downtown Los Angeles. The program matches willing property owners with qualified small businesses, providing rent support and hands-on assistance with permitting, tenant build-out, and the other steps needed to open and operate. Pilot ground floor businesses are supported by coordinated City services, including safety and cleanliness, to help them successfully transition to long-term leases.

This approach draws upon a similar storefront-activation model already proven in San Francisco, adapted to the specific dynamics of Downtown LA. The program is being developed in partnership with the City of Los Angeles through public and private funding.

Vacant to Vibrant Program Director candidates should be excited to help build a new program from the ground up, working closely with property owners, small businesses, City partners, and other stakeholders to bring vacant storefronts back to life and create a pathway to long-term occupancy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Downtown Works is seeking a Program Director to lead Vacant to Vibrant, serving as the initiative’s principal leader and public-facing representative. The Program Director will own day-to-day execution—from matching property owners and tenants to leading marketing and public-facing activations that build visibility and momentum. This person will coordinate across funders, property owners, small businesses, City partners, and other stakeholders to build a strong storefront pipeline and deliver results. As the initiative grows, the Program Director will help establish Vacant to Vibrant as a leading model for storefront activation in Los Angeles and beyond.

This is a foundational leadership role for a highly motivated, entrepreneurial professional who thrives with autonomy and is excited to build something new from the ground up. The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills, sound judgment, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategy and execution—developing the program’s operating structure, cultivating partnerships, securing and managing storefront opportunities, and representing the initiative with credibility across the public and private sectors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Operations

• Own the day-to-day execution of Vacant to Vibrant, including program design, site selection, storefront activation, tenant matching, and the rent-supported pilot process.
• Build and continuously refine the program’s operating framework, including program phases, roles and responsibilities, site and tenant criteria, legal and risk considerations, budget, and performance metrics.
• Establish and monitor program goals and performance, using data and on-the-ground feedback to assess impact and adjust strategy.

Marketing & Activation

• Lead the program’s marketing, communications, and activation strategy, building awareness of Vacant to Vibrant and generating excitement around participating storefronts and corridors.
• Develop and execute storefront and corridor activations that drive visibility, foot traffic, and customer engagement during the pilot period.
• Coordinate with businesses, property owners, City partners, and community stakeholders to ensure activations are aligned with broader Downtown priorities and create a cohesive public presence.
• Build the program’s profile and reputation through events, stakeholder outreach, media opportunities, and other public-facing initiatives.

Stakeholder & Partner Relations

• Act as the day-to-day point of contact for Vacant to Vibrant, coordinating activity across property owners, businesses, City partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Build and manage high-value partnerships with the City of Los Angeles, CCA, property owners, funders, community organizations, and other public and private stakeholders.
• Cultivate a strong pipeline of storefronts and prospective tenants, developing relationships that move opportunities from initial outreach through activation.

Funding & Reporting

• Drive progress toward funding milestones and program targets, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements and Phase One storefront-activation goals.
• Oversee program budgeting and financial administration, maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
• Lead preparation of funder, board, and stakeholder reports, clearly communicating program progress, challenges, outcomes, and impact.
• Advance fundraising efforts, including cultivating private funders and securing matching capital to support program growth.

Other

• Perform other duties and special assignments as needed to advance the goals of Vacant to Vibrant.

PREREQUISITES

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, real estate, business, community development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience in program management, community development, commercial real estate, economic development, nonprofit initiatives, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or programs from concept through execution, preferably in a fast-paced or entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience working across public, private, and community stakeholders.

Skills & Expertise

• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with public agencies, business improvement districts, property owners, businesses, funders, and community partners.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and partners with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into action and solve problems independently in an evolving environment.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and self-directed, with confidence and judgment to operate independently and build structure where none yet exists.
• Energetic, resourceful, and comfortable working in a highly collaborative, fast-moving environment.
• Mission-driven and outcomes-oriented, with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get a new program off the ground.

Preferred Experience

• Strong familiarity with Downtown Los Angeles and its business, real estate, civic, and community landscape.
• Experience with public funding mechanisms, including CDBG, and/or private fundraising.
• Experience with marketing, communications, events, or public-facing activations.
• Experience developing and tracking program metrics, budgets, and performance reports.

Downtown Works is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay: From $120,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person