Senior Manager - School Programs - Trellis for Tomorrow

About the role

Senior Manager of School Programs provides strategic leadership for Trellis for Tomorrow’s agricultural education partnerships with area schools. The role oversees curriculum development, educational programming, school partnerships, program evaluation, and staff management, ensuring alignment with Trellis’ mission and strategic goals. The position is full‑time, exempt, based in Phoenixville, PA, with a two‑year term funded by government grants and a salary of $60,000 annually.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization’s vision for agricultural education in partnership with schools, establishing annual goals, performance metrics, and evaluation systems.
• Lead strategic growth of school partnerships and educational programming across Chester, Montgomery, and neighboring counties.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff delivering school‑based programming; support hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and professional development.
• Oversee development of standards‑aligned agricultural education curriculum that supports workforce development, STEM, sustainability, and career exploration across SchoolCREWs, SEED Skills, Food for All gardens, and the Agricultural Learning Center.
• Integrate experiential learning best practices into all programming.
• Serve as primary relationship manager for school districts and educational partners; represent Trellis at conferences, community meetings, and events.
• Supervise K‑12 educational offerings at the Agricultural Learning Center, coordinating seasonal workshops, field trips, and demonstrations in collaboration with farm operations staff.
• Develop systems for measuring participant outcomes, analyze data to improve program quality, and prepare reports for leadership, funders, and grant requirements.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning, grant development, and reporting; support marketing and communications with educational stories and impact data.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree(s) in Education, Agriculture, Environmental Education, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5+) years of experience in agricultural education, environmental education, youth development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with schools and community organizations.
• At least three (3+) years of experience supervising staff or leading educational teams.
• Experience developing curriculum and educational programming.
• Experience managing multiple programs and budgets.
• Pennsylvania teaching certification or agricultural education background desired.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of sustainable agriculture, food systems, and experiential education.
• Excellent project management, planning, and budgeting abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and attend to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Comfort using basic construction and power tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions and lift up to 20 lb.
• Core competencies: strategic leadership, partnership development, program management, communication, innovation, organizational excellence, mission alignment.

Benefits

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

Pay

Salary: $60,000 annually.

Schedule

• Minimum 40‑hour work week.
• Some evening and weekend work required.
• Travel between multiple locations during the work day using personal vehicle.
• Work performed at the Phoenixville office and in the field.