Academic Community Manager

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals. 

In this role, you will work with university communities around the world to build the alternative protein research and training ecosystems needed to power the future of food. The Academic Community Manager will be responsible for:

• Overseeing GFI’s Alt Protein Project, a global program that finds, trains, and empowers student leaders to build alternative protein education and research programs at their universities.
• Developing and executing a strategic plan to ensure the Alt Protein Project is maximally effective at cultivating the next generation of alternative protein leaders.
• Building and managing a team of up to three members who are responsible for implementing and contributing to this vision.
• Serving as GFI’s primary point of contact for new and prospective student groups. 
• Creating efficient operational systems for all parts of the program, including evaluating, training, and funding student groups.
• Defining, tracking, and communicating metrics and milestones to evaluate program operations and impact.
• Presenting and facilitating dynamic and engaging talks in the form of presentations, panel discussions, and one-on-one interactions at top universities to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.
• Building, mentoring, and connecting a growing ecosystem of students, scientists, and innovators interested in working on alternative proteins.  
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The Academic Community Manager must have:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, chemistry, engineering, food science, or a related scientific field.
• Effective leadership skills and 2-3 years of experience managing staff.
• Experience with program strategy development and management, especially in a university setting.
• Significant experience community-building, navigating university ecosystems, and mentoring students.
• Dynamic networking and interpersonal skills in a variety of situations, from 1:1 meetings with university officials to small group discussions with students or faculty to presentations in front of large groups.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to organize, summarize, and maintain quantitative and qualitative information.
• Strong writing abilities.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to nurturing this on your team and throughout GFI.
• Comfort working remotely in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to reduce bias and increase fairness in our process. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Amy Huang, Associate Director of Scientific Ecosystems
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for company retreats.
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits.
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• COVID vaccination policy: GFI requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be requested before the start of employment. GFI will consider requests for accommodations or exemptions from this policy on a case by case basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Salary: $72,000-$75,000  (depending on experience and qualifications)

Application Deadline: October 21, 2022

Decided not to apply? If after reviewing this job description, you have decided not to apply, please let us know why by completing this short survey: https://tinyurl.com/GFIJobSurvey. 

Interested in working at the Good Food Institute? Join us for the Career Opportunities Webinar to learn more about our work and ask questions about specific job opportunities! See upcoming webinar dates and more information at https://tinyurl.com/GFICareers.