Community Food Systems Program Manager

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

2d • $85,000 - $97,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Food Systems Outreach Program Manager leads a statewide team of Extension specialists and County/Tribally based educators to provide outreach and education on a range of topics, including urban agriculture and community gardens, farm-to-institution network and supply chain development, food-based microenterprise development, Tribal Nation food systems, and food systems policy and planning. In addition to providing guidance on program planning, implementation, and evaluation, this position will work with colleagues to foster collaboration on interdisciplinary food systems issues across the Division of Extension by identifying cross-cutting priorities, coordinating efforts, and marshaling resources to enhance impact. This position will also build and maintain key relationships with external stakeholders and collaborators to inform program planning, develop responsive resources, secure aligned extramural funding, and expand program reach. Partial Remote This position will require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA). An RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university-provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and the assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the employee's expense. This position may work remotely up to 3 days per Extension's Remote Work Policy. Evening/Weekend Work This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served. Travel Expectations It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions. Read more about UW-Madison Driver Authorization. Applicants are required to: Have a valid drivers license and a reliable source of independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or comply with requirements for UW-Madison vehicle use authorization.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in community food systems, community development, food security, urban agriculture, Tribal food systems, or other food‑systems–related program areas.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating community-based programs, including planning, implementing, and evaluating outreach or education initiatives.
• Experience supervising or providing direct guidance to staff or teams, including responsibility for performance management, coaching, or directing the work of others.
• Experience developing and managing program budgets, including monitoring expenditures and aligning resources with program goals.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with a wide range of communities and organizations, including community groups, Tribal Nations, local or state government, nonprofits, producers, or food system stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively across disciplines or organizational units, especially in complex environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, develop educational materials, facilitate meetings, and present to diverse audiences.
• Have a valid drivers license and a reliable source of independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or comply with requirements for UW-Madison vehicle use authorization.
• Master's Degree in a related field (e.g., Food Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Agroecology, Public Health, Environmental Studies, or similar)

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in Extension, a land‑grant university, or similar public‑sector or community‑based educational environment.
• Experience securing and managing external funding, such as grants, contracts, or multi organization supported initiatives.
• Experience conducting or supporting applied or community-based research to inform program design, resources, or policy recommendations.
• PhD in a related field (e.g., Food Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Agroecology, Public Health, Environmental Studies, or similar)

Responsibilities

• Supervises the implementation of outreach-program-focused strategic planning initiatives and objectives
• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
• Determines outreach program needs and the personnel resource allocation plan
• Reviews recommendations for and provides input on the design and development of new outreach programs or services
• Monitors the unit or program budget and approves program expenditures
• Develops and implements operating policies and procedures to promote the outreach program in alignment with the strategic plan
• Supports cross-institute leadership and coordination to amplify interdisciplinary food systems initiatives that advance division-wide programming priorities.

Benefits

• Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees