Ag Innovations Network is seeking a Program Director to lead our efforts in developing and implementing creative projects to strengthen food systems in California and beyond.
The Program Director will utilize their entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit to discern and take advantage of opportunities for Ag Innovations Network to apply its unique approach to solution creation. Ag Innovation Network’s core change method is creating and facilitating dynamic coalitions of leaders to uncover solutions as powerful as the challenges we face. The Program Director will work in partnership with our process and facilitation team to create and lead these projects and coalitions, assuring that they are responsive to the challenges being faced, fulfilling the expectations of funders, and advancing a sustainable food system.
Position Description
The Program Director will lead our Regional Food Systems Program, and will be responsible for identifying food systems related project opportunities, assessing their feasibility, and directing them through the development phase into implementation.
Specific duties of the Program Director include, but are not limited to:
- Planning, delivering, and evaluating food systems related projects that align with the mission of Ag Innovations Network.
- Fostering strong and collaborative relationships with a range of leaders to identify critical needs and challenges, and develop the partnerships, approaches, and strategies needed for positive change in the food system.
- Developing and maintaining a current and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues, developments, methods, and players relevant to project topic areas.
- Collaborating with the Ag Innovations Network facilitation team in the design of innovative and effective social innovation processes and meetings (both virtual and face-to-face) that accomplish the projects’ objectives.
- Developing informational and educational products related to the projects, including meeting results, final reports and white papers, conference presentations and webinars, etc.
- Developing outreach, implementation, and communication strategies for effective and impactful dissemination of project findings and results, and collaborating with partners and Ag Innovations Network team members on implementing these.
- Helping to develop grants and contract funding resources to advance program priorities, and satisfying all reporting requirements of funders.
- Participating as a member in the Ag Innovations Network learning community and actively contributing to that community about what is working and is needed in the field.
- Participating as a team member on other Ag Innovations Network projects.
About Ag Innovations Network
Ag Innovations Network brings leaders together to create a better food system for people, business, and the environment. We are trusted facilitators and process designers with deep food system knowledge and an extensive network of practitioners, professionals, and advocates in agriculture and natural resource management. We combine our expertise, knowledge, and network to stimulate creativity and spur collaborative innovation and impact. Ag Innovations Network (http://aginnovations.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999.
We lead coalitions working both at the intersection of agriculture and the environment (the California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment, and the California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply), and on human systems (such as the Regulations Affecting Agriculture project and the California Ag Workforce Housing & Transportation project). We also consult and work in local communities on regional food system issues, train transformative leaders in collaborative change-making, consult as facilitators to a variety of public- and private-sector food-related clients, and act as a fiscal sponsor agency to a number of other related initiatives across the country, including the Sustainable Food Lab and the Academy for Systemic Change.
Location
Ag Innovations Network is located in Sebastopol, California, about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. The work environment is challenging, learning, collaborative, fun, and intentional. This region has a rich agricultural heritage owing to its climate and soils, and its diverse landscapes make for some of the most stunning scenery and best outdoor recreation opportunities in the world. While the region is famous for its world-class wines, it is also an epicenter for the local, organic, sustainable food movement.
Application Process
Apply by submitting a letter explaining how and why you can effectively develop and manage multi-stakeholder initiatives to create a better food system for all (cover letter); a curriculum vita or resume; and the names and contact information for three professional references to jobs@aginnovations.org. This position is open until filled, however, applications received by April 3rd will get first priority screening.