Academic Manager - Greener by Default

By Hannah Kinder @ 2025-04-14T17:02 (+1)

At Greener by Default, you will be working towards the ambitious goal of completely transforming institutional foodservice - and the food system as a whole - by making plant-based food the default. 

We recognize that the fate of humans, animals, and ecosystems are bound together, and strive to create a food system that will allow all life on earth to flourish. In order to achieve our vision, we develop strategies rooted in science, sustainability, and inclusivity to empower institutions to serve plant-forward food. 

Position Objective:

Universities are an  ideal venue for establishing plant based defaults, with the potential to impact millions of meals, thereby transforming student health, institutional procurement and societal norms. As the Academic Manager, you will support the university division of Greener by Default by working directly with the Academic Director,  universities and foodservice clients, managing pilots, and helping cultivate new collaborative opportunities with our partner organizations. 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Amplify GBD’s visibility: Represent the organization at networking events and conferences to expand GBD’s presence in the C&U sector and build relationships.
• Develop and maintain relationships with universities: Build a network of contacts, secure partnerships, actively establish and maintain positive ongoing relationships with allies and institutional partners.
• Support pilot projects: Work closely with the Academic Director to ensure the successful implementation of pilots from start to finish, including obtaining stakeholder buy-in, supporting the dining team, gathering and analyzing data, publicizing the findings, and securing permanent implementation.
• Oversee programmatic implementation: Support the existing operations for the Academic program and ensure annual objectives and key results are achieved.
• Create and deliver content for academic clients: Develop and adapt materials to support academic institutions.
• Help the program grow: Utilize insights from your experience to continuously strengthen and grow our university programs and build relationships with partner organizations to provide their affiliated students and student groups with broader opportunities for collaboration, learning, and impact. 
   

Individual Attributes Required

• Intellectual integrity: Provide information rooted in science, adapt messaging and tactics based on the latest behavioral research.
• Ambition: Boldly drive change within institutional foodservice norms.
• Open communication: Continuously seek out new information and dialogue, cultivate trust with staff and partners.
• Foster inclusion: Meet people where they are, strive to understand and acknowledge the different cultural contexts within which you’re working, hold space for divergent perspectives.
• Growth mindset: See challenges and mistakes as opportunities to adapt and improve. Continuously strive to hone your expertise and refine your skills in order to best serve the organization’s and client’s goals.
• Patience: Persevere in situations and relationships that take a long time to come to fruition.

Position Requirements:

• Minimum of 1 year of project management experience
• Strong public speaking,  presentation, and facilitation skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Knowledge of and experience with social and environmental matters, including interconnected issues; understands business and operations of large food company
• A clear and proactive communicator who is willing to give and receive feedback to strengthen shared work and accountability
• Commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and strategic plan
• Thorough knowledge of plant-based foods
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and take initiative
• Inquisitive mind set with strong analytical abilities. Strategic thinker looking outside to bring new approaches to continually improve internal effectiveness.
• Highly analytical, ability to synthesize information and offer recommendations/solutions
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

We prefer candidates who have the following experience:

• Prior roles in higher education (teaching, administration/operations, or campus dining) or foodservice management companies
• Masters degree in environmental science, behavioral science, business,  or education
• Strong connections in the academic and/or sustainability space
• Experience working with CRMs and data management systems

We strongly encourage people of every color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate during the application process and after you join the team. We encourage candidates with most of the above qualifications to apply; we do not expect all candidates to fit this job description 100%.

Reports to: 

Dr. Shabnam Islam,  Academic Director

Compensation: 

This is a salaried employee position paying $67,000-73,000 per year, depending on experience and credentials.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Plan
• 401k plan, with a dollar for dollar employer match up to 3%
• $150 monthly cell phone and internet expense reimbursement
• $500 annual office equipment stipend (can be rolled over)
• $1,000 bi-annual professional development stipend
• 20 vacation days per year, 14 paid federal holidays, 8 sick days and 1 personal day per year, to be used during your birthday month
• Opportunity to earn a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance.

Location:

This is a remote position. We are currently only able to hire employees who can work in the U.S.

To Apply

In order to apply, please fill out this form. We will not consider any candidates who have not filled out the form. Please do not contact us via email or message to apply. Applications must be received by May 14, 2025.