Program Manager

Overview

The Program Manager will lead implementation of USDA-funded agricultural climate initiative. This role requires a dynamic professional who can effectively bridge agricultural communities, federal compliance requirements, public communications, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. The successful candidate will manage all aspects of grant execution while building lasting relationships with farming communities and partner organizations. This position will support the establishment, coordination, and operation of large-scale field trials investigating carbon dioxide removal through enhanced rock weathering across domestic and international research sites. Working closely with Principal Investigator and an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Yale University and collaborating institutions, the Program Manager will coordinate operational, logistical, and administrative activities that support a growing and evolving research portfolio.

The Program Manager will help manage multiple projects and funding streams within the PI’s broader research program and will assist in coordinating and carrying out day-to-day program activities. This role will include both program coordination and hands-on execution of operational and administrative tasks necessary to support field-based research and collaboration. The Program Manager will facilitate collaboration among research teams and external partners, coordinate and support program meetings, and serve as a key point of contact for participating farmers and other stakeholders. The position will support communication and coordination across field operations, laboratory and analytical work, and modeling and verification efforts related to carbon removal, and will assist with preparation of reports for stakeholders, coordination of project logistics such as sample handling and shipment, and operational aspects of the program including distribution of project funds associated with field activities. Responsibilities may evolve as the research program develops.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Strong project and program management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects, timelines, and priorities.
2. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex logistics and operational workflows.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively with researchers, external partners, and diverse stakeholders.
4. Demonstrated ability to coordinate activities across interdisciplinary teams and multiple institutions.
5. Ability to manage program operations in a dynamic research environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
6. Experience facilitating meetings, coordinating collaboration, and supporting program-wide communication.
7. Ability to manage and track operational components of research programs, including budgets, field logistics, or project resources.
8. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while coordinating across a distributed team.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced degree in a relevant field.
2. Previous USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) or NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) grant experience.
3. Agricultural background or direct farming experience.
4. Experience with media relations, public speaking, and content creation.
5. Knowledge of agricultural policy and federal farm programs.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Oversees the advancement and growth of the program. Gives direction and leadership supporting the philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program.
2. Plays a key role in strategic planning. Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues and community residents to develop new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization and implements long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program.
3. Develops an annual budget and operating plan to support the program. Ensures program operates within approved budget. Monitors and approves all budgeted program expenditures. Manages all program and project funds according to established accounting policies and procedures.
4. Builds and maintains a program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for improvement. Monitors the program activities on a regular basis and conducts an annual evaluation according to the program evaluation framework. Identifies and evaluates the risks associated with program activities and takes appropriate action to control the risks. Reports evaluation findings to appropriate stakeholders and recommends changes to enhance the program, as appropriate
5. Ensures that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of the organization and activities comply with all relevant legislation/regulatory requirements.
6. Identifies, solicits, and cultivates community partnerships and collaborations to assist in the development and growth of the program. Develops the metrics to identify and measure the success of the program. Responsible for measurements of grant success and related evaluation.
7. Identifies and evaluates potential future funding sources, and contributes to the submission of grants and contracts supporting the program, including the annual submission and writing of all content areas and budgetary sections of grant applications.
8. Develops the administrative infrastructure of the program. Manages human resource and administrative functions of the program, including staffing and hiring, supervision, performance development, counseling and discipline, if warranted. Oversees and manages information systems, facilities, and space needs.
9. Investigates, identifies, implements, and oversees the maintenance of systems to gather, track, and report information to support the initiatives of the program. Tracks all program activities and regularly informs leadership of progress on each initiative. Recommends structural or programmatic adjustments, changes or additions based on full knowledge of missions, goals, and objectives.
10. Initiates, designs, and manages the compilation of program communications; identifying outreach potential, and promoting philanthropic and collaborative support of the program. Contributes to the development and assists in the management of content on the program’s website and monitors all changes and additions to the editorial content.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Compensation

Salary Range: $82,000.00 - $131,500.00

Job Details

• Posted: 27-Mar-26
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut
• Categories: Staff/Administrative
• Time Type: Full time
• Work Model: Hybrid