SUMMARY:
As part of our mission, the JJK Foundation has partnered with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and Lansdowne UP through the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food Agriculture Nutrition Innovation Center (JJK FAN). This collaborative is committed to engaging East St. Louis youth and communities in STEM, agriculture, and food system career opportunities.
The goal is to bridge the opportunity gap for underrepresented communities of color by developing pathways that lead to careers in the expanding ag-tech, food production, and food system sectors while stimulating entrepreneurial and career engagement in regional food systems among an underrepresented population.
The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation is actively seeking a full-time mission-driven professional to join our team as the JJK FAN Partnership Manager.
SUMMARY:
The JJK FAN Partnership Manager manages programs and partnerships for the JJK FAN initiative. Serving as the primary liaison with UIUC, Danforth, Lansdowne UP, and other stakeholders, this role fosters collaboration, manages staff, and supports youth engagement. This position requires an individual with a commitment to education, innovation, and community-driven solutions.
RESPONSIBILITES:
Collaboration & Coordination: Support the implementation of strategic goals for the Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition (FAN) Innovation Center in alignment with the JJK Foundation’s mission. Work closely with the collaborative team to ensure effective coordination, execution, and alignment of initiatives. This is a hands-on role focused on bringing the vision to life through on-the-ground efforts and community engagement.
Program & Staff Management: Oversee and coordinate FAN programs, managing timelines, budgets, and staff to ensure successful execution. Supervise, mentor, and support the professional growth of JJK Foundation FAN programming staff, fostering a highly skilled and motivated team. Support volunteer engagement by identifying tasks, facilitating onboarding, and recognizing contributions to enhance program success.
Youth Programming & Engagement: Engage with youth through hands-on learning experiences related to food, agriculture, and nutrition. Supervise and lead youth activities, including filling in for staff-led classes and accompanying students on field trips. Foster a positive and inspiring environment that aligns with the JJK Way.
Partnerships & Collaboration: Act as the primary liaison for external partnerships, fostering collaboration between the JJK Foundation, UIUC, Danforth, and Lansdowne UP to drive joint programming and initiatives. Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and community members to enhance engagement and support.
Fundraising & Compliance: Support grant proposal development and fundraising efforts by gathering and analyzing key data. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, legal regulations, and donor guidelines, proactively addressing any issues.
Program Evaluation & Reporting: Implement evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, compiling comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate progress, impact, and outcomes to stakeholders.
Innovation & Community Engagement: Cultivate an environment of innovation by encouraging new ideas and approaches in food, agriculture, and nutrition to address community needs. Develop and execute communication strategies to raise awareness of FAN initiatives and their impact.
Other Responsibilities: Uphold the principles of JJK Winning in Life and the JJK Way in all programs and perform other duties as assigned.
* Evening or weekend work may be required for events, programs, or community outreach efforts.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, nonprofit management, agriculture, food systems, public administration, or a related discipline) required.
- Minimum of three years of experience in program management, community engagement, or nonprofit leadership, preferably with youth-focused initiatives.
- Experience working with academic institutions, research organizations, or government agencies is a plus.
- Familiarity with the East St. Louis community and a passion for food access, agriculture, and social equity are strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience using project management tools and software, ideally within a nonprofit or educational setting.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to oversee programs, staff, and partnerships.
- Experience in youth programming, including supervising activities, leading educational sessions, and engaging with diverse age groups.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, partners, and community members.
- Grant writing experience, with the ability to develop proposals and track reporting requirements.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a capacity to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
- Creative problem-solver and proactive self-starter, able to adapt to changing priorities and challenges.
- Passion for innovation in food, agriculture, and nutrition education.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Combination of office-based work (sitting at a desk, using a computer) and active engagement in program activities.
- Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds occasionally.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, and move throughout the facility and outdoor environments.
- Must be able to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining professionalism under pressure.
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LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at will” basis.
