PROGRAM MANAGER, CA CLIMATE FRIENDLY

$83,000 - $87,500/Yr

Friends Of The Earth - Oakland, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Oakland, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Program Manager for the CA Climate Friendly initiative at Friends of the Earth is responsible for overseeing the Climate-Friendly School Food Program, which aims to increase access to healthy, plant-based, and organic meals in California schools. This role involves managing program operations, cultivating relationships with stakeholders, and advocating for policy changes to support sustainable food systems. The Program Manager will lead a team, manage budgets, and ensure the program's success through effective communication and collaboration with various partners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program management of educating schools and stakeholders on plant-based and organic meals in California schools.
• Manage the Program Associate and consultants to expand the reach and impact of the CA Climate-Friendly School Food program.
• Support preliminary scoping and evaluation work for potential program expansion to other states.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with donors and foundations.
• Build community partnerships to deepen the work in California and expand the program's reach.
• Manage and oversee the program's budget, tracking expenditures and ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints.
• Maintain best practices for data management related to program metrics, contact lists, project timelines, and funder reports.
• Collect and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data of K-12 school nutrition menu shifts to document impacts of the program and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop strategies for scaling and enhancing the program.
• Lead Friends of the Earth's Peer Learning Sessions by organizing and facilitating quarterly meetings and in-person gatherings with K-12 school nutrition service directors and stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5-7+ years of program management experience, with a strong understanding of school nutrition services and institutional food systems.
• Bachelor's degree in public health, nutrition, environmental science, education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with school nutrition programs, including food procurement and distribution in large institutions.
• Proficiency in data management and project management tools (e.g., Excel, Asana, Microsoft Suite).
• Experience managing teams and providing mentorship.
• Strong budget management skills.
• Grant writing and reporting experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Understanding of sustainable agriculture, food justice, and the industrial agriculture system's impacts.
• Cultural competency with experience engaging diverse communities.
• Willingness to travel for work-related conferences and events (3-5 times/year).

Nice-to-haves

• Advocacy experience in environmental issues, public health, racial justice, or food systems.
• Experience with research and analysis.
• Familiarity with the school food advocacy community and federal school food policy.
• Experience developing RFPs and managing budgets and contractors.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Retirement Program with a Company Match
• Generous Leave- twenty (20) vacation days to start, fifteen (15) paid holidays, twenty (20) sick days, parental leave, sabbatical and more
• Education Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program