Senior Manager - School Programs - Trellis for Tomorrow

MEA - MidAtlantic Employers’ Association; Phoenixville (Chester County); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dog-friendly workplace

PTO

Sabbatical after 5 years

Job summary

Trellis for Tomorrow, based in Phoenixville, PA, seeks a Senior Manager of School Programs to lead agricultural education partnerships with area schools, oversee curriculum development and staff management, and ensure high-quality youth programming across regional sites.

The role expands access to experiential learning, collaborates with educators and funders, and guides program evaluation and funding opportunities in alignment with Trellis' mission.

Qualifications

• . Five+ years in agricultural/environmental education, youth development, or related field.
• .

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization's vision for agricultural education in partnership with schools.
• Lead the strategic growth of school partnerships and educational programming.
• Establish annual program goals, performance metrics, and evaluation systems.
• Align educational programming with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, expansion, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Partnership development

Program management

Communication

Project management

Outdoor work

Education

Advanced degree in Education/Nonprofit

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Based in Phoenixville, PA, Trellis for Tomorrow is a nonprofit that delivers experiential programs in organic gardening, environmental education, and food security that provide practical and behavioral life skills for youth and adults. Serving the greater Philadelphia area, our aim is to foster compassion and resilience in people and inspire them to build sustainable communities.

Our youth development programs provide a variety of learning and work experiences, entrepreneurial training, and structured leadership opportunities for teens and young adults.

Trellis also offers programs that engage more than 20 local organizations and their constituents in impactful volunteer initiatives, and through the guided stewardship of organic gardens where food is grown and donated to neighbors in need.

For more information and detail on our mission, values, and programs, please visit www.trellis4tomorrow.org.

The following job description is for a position within our School Programs Team and will contribute substantively to the aims detailed above.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of agricultural education while leading a team that inspires the next generation?

Trellis for Tomorrow is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to oversee our agricultural education strategy, school partnerships, and youth development programs.

This position provides leadership for SchoolCREWs programming, SEED Skills agricultural education, and school-aged programming at our Agricultural Learning Center, while supervising educational staff and ensuring exceptional program quality across all sites.

This is an opportunity for an experienced educator, program developer, and people leader who enjoys building partnerships, mentoring staff, creating innovative learning experiences, and expanding access to agricultural education throughout our region.

Location

Phoenixville, PA and region

Job Type

Full-time, Exempt Salary: $60,000 annually Term: 2-year position funded through currently awarded government grants.

Trellis is committed to the continued growth of this work; continuation of the position beyond the initial two-year term will be contingent upon the availability of funding.

About Trellis for Tomorrow

Trellis for Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization focused on youth development, food justice, and community resilience through hands‑on organic agriculture and education. We run youth programs, community gardens, and workforce readiness initiatives across the region.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager of School Programs provides strategic leadership for Trellis for Tomorrow's agricultural education partnerships with area schools.

The position oversees curriculum development, educational programming, school partnerships, program evaluation, and staff management while ensuring programs align with Trellis' mission and long‑term strategic goals.

The Senior Manager supervises school program delivery staff, providing coaching, professional development, and operational leadership to ensure high‑quality educational experiences for youth throughout the region.

This role works collaboratively with organizational leadership to expand educational partnerships, secure funding opportunities, and position Trellis as a regional leader in agricultural education and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership:

• Develop and implement the organization's vision for agricultural education in partnership with schools
• Lead the strategic growth of school partnerships and educational programming
• Establish annual program goals, performance metrics, and evaluation systems
• Align educational programming with organizational priorities and community needs
• Identify opportunities for innovation, expansion, and continuous improvement

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise and mentor staff delivering school-based programming
• Conduct regular coaching, evaluations, and professional development
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture
• Support hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and staff development
• Ensure consistency and excellence across all educational programming

Education

Curriculum & Educational Excellence:

• Oversee development of standards‑aligned agricultural education curriculum
• Ensure programming supports workforce development, STEM, sustainability, environmental education, and career exploration
• Maintain curriculum quality across SchoolCREWs, SEED Skills, Food for All gardens, Agricultural Learning Center programming, and future educational initiatives.
• Integrate experiential learning and best practices into all programming

School & Community Partnerships

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for school districts and educational partners
• Cultivate new partnerships throughout Chester, Montgomery, and neighboring counties
• Collaborate with educators, administrators, community organizations, and funders
• Represent Trellis at educational conferences, community meetings, and events Agricultural Learning Center
• Supervise development and delivery of K‑12 educational offerings at the ALC
• Coordinate seasonal educational offerings, workshops, field trips, and demonstrations
• Collaborate with farm operations staff to maximize educational opportunities
• Advance the Learning Center as a regional agricultural education hub

Program Evaluation & Impact

• Develop systems for measuring participant outcomes and program effectiveness
• Analyze data to improve educational quality and organizational impactli>
• Prepare reports for leadership, funders, and grant requirements
• Monitor key metrics related to participation, learning, and partnership growth

Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning
• Assist with grant development and reporting related to educational initiatives
• Support marketing and communications by providing educational stories, impact data, and program highlights

Trellis for Tomorrow is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

At this time, Trellis for Tomorrow cannot hire from outside of the US or pay for relocation.

Required Experience

Qualifications Education:

• Advanced degree(s) in Education, Agriculture, Environmental Education, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field preferred

Experience

• Minimum five (5+) years of experience in agricultural education, environmental education, youth development, or related field
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with schools and community organizations
• Minimum three (3+) years of supervising staff or leading educational teams
• Experience developing curriculum and educational programming
• Experience successfully managing multiple programs and budgets
• Experience with group facilitation, community building, and relationship cultivation
• Pennsylvania teaching certification or agricultural education background desired

Skills

• Strong knowledge of sustainable agriculture, food systems, and experiential education
• Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively prioritize
• Excellent project management and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Comfort using basic construction tools and power tools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions Core Competencies

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership- Creates a compelling vision, inspires others, and translates strategy into action
• Partnership Development- Builds trusted relationships with schools, funders, community organizations, and stakeholders
• Program Management- Leads complex educational programs while balancing quality, efficiency, and impact
• Communication- Communicates effectively with diverse audiences including youth, educators, community partners, funders, and organizational leadership
• Innovation- Continuously seeks opportunities to improve programs and expand organizational impact
• Organizational Excellence- Demonstrates strong planning, budgeting, project management, and accountability
• Mission Alignment- Champions Trellis for Tomorrow's commitment to youth development, sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community resilience

Additional Requirements

• Ability to regularly travel between multiple locations during the course of the work day using own vehicle
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. and work outdoors for extended periods
• Must obtain criminal background and child abuse clearances prior to start date

Schedule & Expectations

• Minimum 40-hour work week
• Some evening and weekend work required
• Work will be performed at Trellis' Phoenixville office as well as in the field.

Benefits

Employee Benefits:

• Medical & dental insurance with employer contribution
• 2% employer contribution to SIMPLE IRA (no match required)
• Bring your dog to the office (dog‑friendly workplace)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid sabbatical every 5 years of service
• Mileage reimbursement for work‑related travel beyond daily commute

Keyword: School Program Management, School Curriculum Manager