Program Manager

The Institute for Health and Food Literacy Education•Newark, NJ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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
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

Responsibilities

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
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
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