Program Manager / K-12 Schools

POSITION: Program Manager - K-12 Schools

LOCATION: Remote, must be located in California with preference for driving distance to extended San Francisco Bay Area and occasional travel required

JOB TYPE: Full-time, exempt

Reports To: Senior Program Manager - K-12 Schools

About Eat Real®

Our current food system is hurting our children and our planet. Processed food is the top driver of disease and climate change. Why isn’t school lunch the best meal of the day for many kids? That’s where Eat Real comes in.

Founded in 2012, Eat Real provides kids across America access to real food – food that nourishes our children and regenerates our planet. We also raise awareness and advocate for redesigning the nation’s food system.

In 2022, Eat Real’s certification program included over 500 schools across the country, helping make 120 million healthier and greener meals accessible to over 300,000 students. Our community-driven K-12 program and certification model gets rid of heavily processed foods, and unhealthy ingredients, and cuts from the diet of more than 10 pounds of sugar per student per year. We’ve added kid-friendly, plant-based options to school menus and increased local sourcing. This strengthens local economies while improving nutrition security and reducing food waste. Our impact is proven - we have an additional 2,000 schools on the waitlist to be Eat Real certified.

We also generate awareness of these issues and advocate for policy change. Recently, we helped build the School Meals for All coalition of 70+ nonprofits that successfully passed universal free meals for K-12 students in California. We also began hosting special community dinners with innovative chefs, doctors, health experts, thought leaders, community activists, and school leaders to have them experience our program and spread the word. And we’re getting noticed! We received a Fast Company World Changing Idea Award and CBS News just featured a segment on our impact.

`In the past three years, we’ve increased our impact tenfold - and we’re just getting started!

THE ROLE:

The Program Manager - K-12 Schools will manage many of the organization’s relationships with school districts participating in the Eat Real Certification program as well as support work with additional organizational partners and supporters. The Program Manager - K-12 Schools will partner with the Chief Program & Impact Officer, Senior Program Manager, and entire team to contribute to an organization where success is defined by the excellence of our work, the quality of our work environment, our growth, and most importantly, our impact in transforming the quality of school food for our nation’s children.

This position will work across the organization to support, guide, and manage school districts through the Eat Real Certification program, including kickoff all the way through completion of the certification process. They will partner with the full Program and Communications teams to contribute to awareness building activities both within partner school districts and general communities. The Program Manager- K-12 Schools will also provide support for the development and ongoing management of external partnerships that provide fundamental support for the organization and school districts.

Primary responsibilities:

K-12 Certification Program Management

• Shepherd current and new school districts through the entire program from program kickoff to successful completion of the Eat Real Certification program, serving as key point of contact providing customer service and account management

• Develop certification project plans for each participating school district and ensure Eat Real Certification program success by leading through any required adaptations to project plans and timelines

• Maintain, update, & develop internal certification program tools (eg Asana, CRM, etc)

• Manage communication with key school district stakeholders

• Ensure school districts’ certification tools are being updated and developed as needed in collaboration with the Program team

• Support the creation of student, parent, staff and community awareness-building tools, materials, and trainings re: the value of “Eat Real Certified” throughout the program and to celebrate each school district’s Eat Real Certification (in collaboration with our Communications team)

• Document and share program feedback from all stakeholders with the Eat Real team and leadership to continuously improve the certification program, approach, and strategy

• Coordinate Cohort engagement activities and meetings (virtual and in-person) with school district participants to support organizational goals

Program Team

• Participate as member of the Program team contributing to its evolution, ongoing growth, and strategic planning as Eat Real continues to scale

• Support Senior Program Manager on strategic projects

• Monitor and provide insights on K-12 school food industry trends, policies, and activities

• Support the development of grant proposals and reporting, on an as needed basis

General Organization Support

• Create and maintain a systematic, process-driven approach to relationship management

• Participate in the development and ongoing management of external partnerships that enhance achievement of Eat Real’s mission

• Support the fundraising team in efforts to secure funding and support resources for specific school district projects and overall organizational activities on an as needed basis

• Collaborate with direct manager and leadership team to align our internal goals with new and existing partner relationships

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders related to impact goals, measurement and reporting

• Write reports and/or support the development of materials or presentations for key partners, potential donors & Board of Directors

• Represent Eat Real’s programs externally with key partners, potential donors, and Board of Directors

• Participate in ongoing professional development and continuing education to stay current on skills for success

• Partner with direct manager, leadership team, and other team members to contribute to Eat Real’s growth & impact strategies and related initiatives when/as needed

• Support Eat Real team with miscellaneous day-to-day operations and other duties on an as needed basis

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Demonstrated accomplishments in engaging and effective program management, preferably for a mission-driven organization, non-profit or social enterprise

• 3+ years experience in relationship or program management related field as well as experience directly working in (or with) K-12 schools - in school food program, nutrition education, school garden or other relevant area

• Passion for real food values and working within K-12 schools to support increased access to real food for the next generation

• Aptitude for networking and relationship development across varied constituencies

• Clear and structured communication skills

• Impeccable attention to details

• Solid strategic, analytical & critical thinking skills to support problem solving

• Sophisticated project management skills, including excellent organizational and time management skills

• Strong collaborative & inclusive work style and interpersonal skills

• Self-direction, passion, tenacity, and a positive, “let’s get it done” attitude

• Powerful sense of integrity, humility & sense of humor

• Proficiency in cloud-based software applications for project management, communications, word processing, spreadsheets, CRM, presentations, and simple graphic design (e.g. Google Suite, MS Office, Asana, Canva, Slack, etc.)

• Ability to work with a remote team, including regular access to phone, internet, and video conferencing

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Eat Real is a 100% remote environment based in Richmond, CA. Must be able to work remotely, generally West Coast hours. Preference for Bay Area location. Work schedule is flexible with availability during standard business hours expected as well as flexibility for evenings or weekend hours for special events and meetings, as needed. Ability to travel as needed; driver’s license and ability to lift up to fifty pounds required.

The above is an overview of responsibilities and as needs arise there will be additional miscellaneous responsibilities.

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW

Eat Real is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our organization and in our work. Every day we strive to create a healthier future for our colleagues, communities, and planet.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

This position is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. Eat Real offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and benefits including generous PTO, paid family leave, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan, as well as a home office stipend. Payband: $70,125 -$97,900 per year