Program manager

The Program Manager will lead the Institute for Health and Food Literacy Education’s (IHFL) groundbreaking after-school program in Newark, NJ, focused on food literacy, health education, and environmental sustainability for students in grades 4–8. This role involves designing and implementing innovative curricula, managing program operations, and fostering community engagement to address systemic health disparities and promote sustainable practices. Ideal candidates are entrepreneurial leaders with experience in education, program development, and stakeholder collaboration, driven by a passion for creating lasting change in underserved communities. This position requires a dynamic individual who can work effectively from (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM) and support weekend community programming.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Innovation

• Design and implement an integrated curriculum combining food literacy, health education, and environmental sustainability programming for grades 4-8
• Lead the development of hands-on learning experiences across our facilities
• Drive technology integration, including hydroponics systems
• Adapt and refine program elements based on real-time feedback and outcomes
• Develop and implement comprehensive metrics to track and evaluate program success, including:
• Student engagement and learning outcomes
• Community health indicators
• Program participation rates
• Long-term impact on student and family health behaviors
• Community adoption of sustainable practices
• Create detailed impact reports that demonstrate program value and effectiveness

Operational Excellence

• Manage program budget and resources with startup efficiency mindset
• Oversee and mentor program staff while fostering a culture of innovation
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operations of facilities and educational programs
• Develop scalable systems and processes for future expansion
• Establish data collection and evaluation systems to measure program effectiveness

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with educators to ensure effective curriculum delivery and classroom integration
• Partner with Community Engagement Coordinator to build and maintain community relationships
• Support President & CEO with donor communications by providing detailed program impact data, success stories, and metrics

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Education, Environmental Science, Food Systems, or related field
• 5+ years of experience managing educational or community programs
• Proven track record in curriculum development and implementation
• Experience with sustainable agriculture, food systems, or environmental education
• Strong understanding of technology integration in educational settings
• Experience in program evaluation and outcomes measurement
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Thrive in fast-paced, startup environments
• Work effectively with diverse communities
• Manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs
• Build and maintain strong relationships with various stakeholders
• Design and implement effective program evaluation systems
• Excellence in data collection, analysis, and reporting for impact measurement
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills

Additional Requirements

• Flexible schedule to accommodate evening hours (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
• Available to work two weekend days per month for community events
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to create structure in a startup environment
• Willing to adapt and grow with an evolving pilot program
• Passionate commitment to the mission of creating lasting change in underserved communities

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible PTO
• FSA/HSA
• Mental health benefits
• Parking/Commuter stipend
• Retirement Plan - 401(k) with employer matching, limited contribution
• Team Building and Employee Engagement Activities

This is an opportunity to contribute your expertise to an innovative pilot program working to transform health outcomes in Newark communities through education and engagement. The ideal candidate will be passionate about community nutrition education and creating lasting positive change in urban communities.