Senior Program Manager

About Us

Global Growers Network (GGN) is a nonprofit based in Decatur, GA that partners with people from different cultural backgrounds to grow fresh food for their families and for local marketplaces. We work with 200 growers representing over 20 cultures and languages. We operate a network of community gardens in Decatur and Clarkston, a market farm located at the Indian Creek MARTA station in Stone Mountain, and a 22-acre organic co-farm in Conyers.

Position Summary and Candidate Vision

The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for implementing and stewarding a mission-based program portfolio that spans 8 growing sites. This currently includes:

• Community gardens and related Network of growers and interpreters
• Agricultural enterprise through the Indian Creek Market Farm and Rockdale Organic Co-Farm
• Public engagement (AgriCULTURE Connects) including tours and volunteer projects
• Land stewardship initiatives including soil health, site maintenance, and infrastructure

Reporting to the Co-Executive Director (Programs), the Senior Program Manager maintains accountability for program implementation, activities, budgets, outcomes, data, and evaluation. This is a new position that oversees land maintenance staff (1 FTE) as well as interns, volunteers, and external contractors including program interpretation.

Job Responsibilities

Project Management + Program Implementation (45%)

• Plan and execute a variety of mission-aligned initiatives and engagements, from design to launch, such as grower registration, workshops, events, site tours, and volunteer projects for a range of stakeholders:
  • Growers and farmers who access land and resources through GGN
  • Community members including volunteers
  • Partners such as service providers and funders
• Oversee 8 urban agricultural sites that support 200+ growers in our Network and related initiatives including:
  • Land access and activation including MOU/lease management with site partners
  • Member registration and activities that enhance a culture of community connectivity including engagement in goal-setting and decision-making processes
  • Resource development, workshops, and learning exchanges in regenerative agriculture that meet the goals of Network members including food access and market readiness
  • Network communications including interpretation, translation, and dissemination of information among Grower Network
• Contribute to additional event planning, coordination, and project support for select cultivation, fundraising, or other organizational events as needed
• Support marketing, communications, and social media efforts to promote event, storytelling, and development campaigns, in coordination with the team

Grants, Budgets, and Data (30%)

• Develop and monitor multiple project budgets within parameters and timelines
• Prepare reports on program activities, budgets, outcomes, and impacts for internal and external stakeholders, including funders and board members
• Maintain shared Airtable databases, Google Drives , and CRSM systems
• Partner with the Co-Executive Director and development staff to shape funding strategy, articulate fundable priorities, and develop program narratives and application budgets.

Team + Portfolio Leadership (25%)

• Work with staff, community partners, and other key stakeholders to align the program team’s activity with organization’s values, operations, and strategic goals
• Inform decisions to launch, redesign, pause, or conclude initiatives based on mission alignment and community needs
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships that strengthen program delivery, referrals, training, land stewardship, community trust, and access to resources.
• Supervise the activities and program personnel including interns, volunteers, and external contractors such as interpreters. This currently includes one full-time Site Stewardship Manager.
• Support recruitment, hiring, training, orientation, and/or evaluations of team members.
• In coordination with the Co-Executive Director, represent GGN through meetings, site visits, tours, presentations, and related initiatives with growers, partners, media, and the broader food-systems and agriculture field.
• Other duties as needed in support of GGN's mission.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to lead and execute community-centered and agricultural-based programming from strategy through implementation, evaluation, and improvement.
• Proven success in program/project management, developing and maintaining budgets, leading the development of work plans, monitoring grant commitments and related deliverables, tracking data, and reporting
• Experience working in cross-cultural or multilingual settings; commitment to and experience in facilitating leadership within community collaborations, using strategies that foster equitable, shared decision making
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and communicate effectively in writing and verbally with community members, funders, government agencies, and nonprofit partners.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and/or volunteers is preferred
• Knowledge of food systems, agriculture, land stewardship, community development, or related fields; direct garden or farm experience is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and comfort using project-management, database, and reporting systems; familiarity with Airtable and/or CRM system is a plus.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; familiarity or fluency with Network cultures and/or languages such as Nepali, Kirundi, or Burmese is preferred.
• A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for travel among GGN sites and to offsite meetings.

Location and Schedule

This is an exempt position requiring a minimum of forty hours per week, with standard working hours Tuesday - Saturday, along with occasional pre-scheduled evening and weekend work. This position will work at least 2 days/week from GGN's office at Legacy Park in Decatur and at least 2 days/month from the farm office in Conyers, with regular visits to other garden and program sites. Remote/virtual work is possible outside of necessary in-office and on-site responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include: Healthcare Reimbursement Account (begins after 90 days of employment), cell phone stipend ($25/month), SIMPLE IRA retirement account (3% match), paid time off (starts at 14 days/year) and paid holidays (6 public holidays; 2 floating holidays; 2-week bonus time at year-end), professional development budget ($1,000/year), and paid parental leave (for full-time employees after 18 months of employment).

How to Apply

Apply at this link: bit.ly/ggn-hiring. Please include your resume and cover letter in PDF format. The cover letter should explain why you are interested in the position, and address the following:

• Why are you looking for a new position?
• Why do you feel connected to the work and mission of Global Growers Network?
• How will you use your past work, volunteer, academic, and/or other life experiences to meet the specific responsibilities of this position (as detailed above)?

Finalists will be asked to submit professional references who we may contact.

GGN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Benefits include: Healthcare Reimbursement Account (begins after 90 days of employment), cell phone stipend ($25/month), SIMPLE IRA retirement account (3% match), paid time off (starts at 14 days/year) and paid holidays (6 public holidays; 2 floating holidays; 2-week bonus time at year-end), professional development budget ($1,000/year), and paid parental leave (for full-time employees after 18 months of employment).

Fluency in written and spoken English; familiarity or fluency with Network cultures and/or languages such as Nepali, Kirundi, or Burmese is preferred.