USFRA Program Manager
Description:
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is looking for an ambitious Program Manager who is interested in leading the conversation and managing pioneering, collaborative, multi-stakeholder projects in sustainable food and agriculture. The Program Manager will be responsible for managing a growing number of projects and ensuring that they are successfully completed. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: coordination and oversight of projects; delivery on time, within budget, and within scope; ensuring that resources are available for program implementation; setting deadlines; monitoring and summarizing project progress; managing and producing deliverables; and preparing reports for upper management regarding project status. This individual will also provide assistance to the CEO and team leaders on a day-to-day basis.
USFRA is a growing organization, and some of the projects in this Program Manager’s portfolio will be transitioning from concept to development into new groundbreaking programs within food and agriculture. Successful candidates will have a bias for action, collaboration mindset and commitment to enabling sustainable food systems of the 21st century. Successful candidates will also have excellent project management skills and the ability to lead teams and be masters of the art of leading through influence (without authority). The Project Manager will work directly with the CEO, project leaders, and both external and internal stakeholders and will also coordinate with other departments as needed.
About USFRA
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) convenes food and agriculture stakeholders and consumers in an inclusive dialogue on the sustainable food systems of the 21st century. We aim to elevate food and agriculture as the solution for sustainability, positioning farmers and ranchers as key change agents. Collectively, we believe that farmers and ranchers uniquely enable the sustainable food systems of the future by nourishing our communities, natural resources, and planet. www.usfarmersandranchers.com
USFRA has 90 different member organizations and recently hosted a series of conferences with over 100 new organizations. As a result, many new projects have been identified by members, and this newly created position will be responsible for helping to build out those projects and grow the organization.
Location: This position is either based in St. Louis, MO or Washington D.C.
Responsibilities:
· Understand the opportunities with USFRA partners and supporters and maintain knowledge of all active USFRA projects and programs.
· Report to the Chief of Staff or CEO and work across departments and teams.
· Coordinate with relevant stakeholders for flawless execution of projects.
· Ensure assigned programs and projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget.
· Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.
· Ensure resource availability and allocation.
· Develop a detailed project plan and KPIs to monitor and track progress.
· Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule and project costs using appropriate verification techniques.
· Measure and track project performance using appropriate tools and techniques to determine successful completion of short- and long-term project goals Report regularly on project status and KPIs.
· Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
· Establish and maintain relationships with third parties/vendors.
· Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
· Create final project reports.
· Meet budgetary objectives and make adjustments to project constraints based on financial analysis.
· Use and continually develop leadership skills.
· Attend conferences and training as required to maintain proficiency.
· Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
· Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience in project management. Experience in the field of agriculture, food and/or sustainability is desired.
· Proven working experience in project management. Project Management Professional (PMP) / PRINCE II certification is a plus.
· Self-starter with a bias for actions and results.
· Flexible and ability to work in a start-up environment.
· A consummate collaborator who can work across multiple teams both internally and externally.
· Demonstrated ability to lead teams with direct and indirect influence.
· Ability to build and foster relationships with partners and potential funders. Trade association experience a bonus.
· Ability to excel in internal and external environments.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
· Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Professional.
· Working knowledge of Zoom, SharePoint, Box, Smartsheets, CRMs and Monday.com is a plus.
More information U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance
Vision:
Farmers and ranchers uniquely enable the sustainable food systems of the future by nourishing our communities, natural resources, and planet.
Mission:
We connect farmers and ranchers to food and agriculture stakeholders to co-create sustainable food systems.
USFRA Values:
Leadership
Bold food systems leadership—driving shared values and
outcomes—is required to
solve the sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
Solutions
Every farmer is the steward of their land and can unlock
the potential of
every acre for our sustainable future. Farmers will continue to get it done.
Collaboration
Our sustainable future can only be secured through food
systems-wide collaboration
where every stakeholder voice is valued.
Science-based Innovation
Science should guide us in developing solutions that will allow us to farm on tomorrow’s land.
Connections
Strong connections between farmers and consumers are essential to sustainable food systems.