Role: Managing Director of Food Education (Full-Time)
Job Summary:
Pilot Light seeks an experienced and visionary Managing Director of Food Education to lead the strategic development and execution of all programmatic initiatives, including overseeing our core programs: the Food Education Fellowships and Alumni Network, SnackTime Explorers, Classroom to Cafeteria and our online resource library: the Food Education Center. This individual will supervise program and evaluation staff, inform new hires, and drive the reach and impact of Pilot Light’s Food Education programs, lessons, and resources. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Managing Director of Food Education will play a key role in expanding Pilot Light’s impact by developing new programs, strengthening and expanding PL’s impact through the growth and development of current programs and future initiatives, and ensuring alignment between strategic priorities and goals and our mission of empowering students to make informed food choices.
Location:
Must be authorized to work in the United States. Chicago, IL, is preferred, but willing to consider qualified applicants in other locations.
Position Type:
Full-time, exempt position.
Start Date:
Flexible, we are willing to accommodate the right candidate’s ability.
Benefits include:
- Group medical (HMO + PPO) with 75% coverage for employees and dependents
- Group dental for employees and dependents
- Vision for employees
- Access to simple IRA
- Generous paid time off, sick leave, and holiday pay
- One all-staff paid wellness week where the office is closed
About Pilot Light:
Founded in 2010, Pilot Light is a Chicago-based nonprofit that partners with educators to integrate Food Education into PreK–12 classrooms. Our teacher-led model empowers students to connect what they learn about food in the classroom with their choices at home, in their communities, and beyond. Over the past decade, Pilot Light has grown from working with one school to reaching over 20,000 students nationwide. Our programming is guided by our pioneering Food Education Standards, developed in 2018 in collaboration with national experts to define and support holistic Food Education across academic subjects.
Current programs and initiatives include:
- Food Education Fellowship: A year-long program that supports teachers in integrating Food Education into their classrooms and fosters leadership in the field.
- Feeding Futures Fellowship: A two-year place-based program that supports teachers across IL in integrating Food and Agriculture Education into their classrooms to foster career pathways in Agriculture for students in 3rd-8th grades.
- Fellowship Alumni Network: A 100-member coalition of teacher alumni from our Food Education Fellowship that connects educators to each other and to Pilot Light resources so they are equipped to act as Food Education leaders in their communities
- SnackTime Explorers: An engaging program that introduces young learners to new foods through hands-on, exploratory activities.
- Classroom to Cafeteria: A unique initiative that connects classroom learning with real-world food choices by empowering students to influence school menus.
- Food Education Center: A digital resource library offering over 130 lessons and resources aligned with academic standards, providing teachers with tools to implement Food Education across content areas.
Pilot Light is committed to growing the quantity and reach of its Food Education programs, lessons, and resources, making Food Education accessible to more educators and students across communities nationwide.
Duties of the Position:
(40%) Program Strategy and Leadership
- Lead the strategic development and execution of all Pilot Light programs.
- Inform and guide the strategy for new initiatives, ensuring alignment with Pilot Light’s mission and vision..
- Maintain program systems and outcomes to ensure alignment and expansion of core programs, including the Food Education Fellowship and its associated initiatives (Feeding Futures & the Fellowship Alumni Network), SnackTime Explorers, Classroom to Cafeteria, the Food Education Center, and the Learning Management System launch.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify growth opportunities and build partnerships that enhance program delivery and reach.
(30%) Staff Supervision and Development
- Supervise and support program, evaluation, and policy staff, ensuring they have clear goals, resources, and professional development opportunities.
- Lead hiring and onboarding processes for program staff in collaboration with human resources.
- Foster a positive, inclusive team culture promoting collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
(20%) Program Evaluation and Growth
- Oversee the development and implementation of evaluation frameworks to measure the effectiveness and impact of Pilot Light’s programs.
- Use data-driven insights to improve program design and execution.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and development team to identify funding opportunities and support grant applications.
(10%) Policy and Advocacy
- Inform and support Pilot Light’s policy goals and advocacy efforts, leveraging program outcomes and partnerships.
- Represent Pilot Light in coalitions and events, promoting our Food Education Standards and model to educators, policymakers, and the public.
Qualifications & Experience:
- At least 10 years of experience in program management, education, or a related field.
- Strong background in curriculum development, instructional design, and/or program evaluation.
- Proven experience in supervising teams and managing complex projects.
- Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation in education.
- Familiarity with food systems, nutrition, and/or food education is preferred.
- Respect and appreciation for the multidisciplinary expertise and talents of others on the Pilot Light team
- Collaborative team player and a self-starter, including exceptional organization and time management skills
- Experience with effectively present findings to various audiences, including school leaders, teachers, external organizations, policymakers, and funders
- Experience working in a smaller organization/business and/or an understanding that Pilot Light is a small organization and sometimes requires a high degree of flexibility in terms of responsibilities and tasks
- Advanced degree in education, nonprofit management, or a related field is a plus.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong project management and multitasking abilities.
- Strong presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas, engage diverse audiences, and convey complex information in a clear and compelling manner.
- Ability to turn data into actionable insights and present findings to varied audiences.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Proficiency in Google Suite and CRM tools.
- Commitment and practice of applying diversity, equity, inclusion, and access strategies and frameworks in education and workplace cultures.
Compensation:
$90,000-$110,000, commensurate with experience.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter outlining their experience and salary expectations through here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Pilot Light embraces a philosophy that recognizes, values, and actively seeks diversity among its team. We seek to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented, diverse workforce in a culture where all employees can contribute to their fullest potential. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, age, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.