Climate Smart Agriculture Programs Manager

ABOUT THE POSITION

CEC is seeking an experienced professional to advance nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions and build climate resilience. This position is a member of CEC’s Management Team.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program Manager will initiate new projects, manage existing projects, shape policy strategy, and advance financing and funding opportunities. This role works directly with landowners, land managers, and agricultural practitioners, and supervises an internal CEC team (i.e., program associates, fellows, interns), as well as external stakeholders (i.e., climate finance specialists, local governments, advocacy groups, special districts, agricultural businesses, technical assistance providers, nonprofits, and the community at large). This position builds on several years of leadership in regenerative agriculture and carbon farming that have led to multiple policy wins and on-farm pilot projects across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. 

WHO YOU ARE:

• You are a strong project manager who brings structure to complexity, builds realistic timelines, manages budgets with care, and keeps diverse stakeholders aligned and accountable.
• You are energized by partnership-building and can build trust with farmers, ranchers, policymakers, funders, and community advocates.
• You are comfortable leading both strategy and implementation—from shaping policy campaigns to overseeing pilot design and tracking performance metrics.
• You are a people-centered leader who mentors emerging professionals and fosters collaboration, transparency, and equity within your team
• You are deeply committed to climate action and environmental justice and believe agricultural systems can be part of a just transition.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop pilots and partnerships to advance innovative financing models for nature-based climate solutions (i.e., private carbon markets, investment funds, ecosystem service payments, government-funded subsidies and incentives).
• Lead and manage projects advancing annual priorities and regional land-based policy campaigns, including defining scope and goals, developing detailed work plans and timelines, coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders, managing budgets and resources, mitigating risks, measuring outcomes, and reporting results.
• Collaboratively develop programmatic materials, i.e. websites, blogs, e-blasts, articles, videos, annual impact report and other items as requested.
• Manage and review annual program budget, revenue goals and expenses.
• Ensure alignment with CEC’s Strategic Plan by helping define clear success metrics and developing systems to track, measure, and report progress toward strategic goals.
• Supervise, provide mentorship, and support CEC Associates, fellows, interns, and subcontracted partners to design and implement equity-centered climate action projects that enable our region.
• Support long-term planning for the project portfolio with CEC’s leadership.
• Collaboratively develop applications for government and nongovernment grants.
• Serve as a representative to our network of program partners, providing leadership on committees and supporting the coordination of network activities as needed.

Requirements

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of professional work experience, preferably in environmental finance, agricultural land management, government planning or policy, or a related field.
• Two or more years of project management experience and/or professional certification in project management.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and production, rangeland management, soil science, and climate change.
• Outgoing self-starter with a demonstrated ability to motivate internal and external teams
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including interpersonal networking skills, public speaking, and relationship building. 
• Effective goal setting, program management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with standard online business platforms (i.e., Microsoft Office, Google Drive).
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area; Master’s degree preferred. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Residence or network in Ventura, Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo counties is required.
• This position works a 60/40 in-office/hybrid schedule with 3 days per week based in CEC’s downtown Santa Barbara HUB and 2 days working remotely from home
• Office is a business casual environment

JOB STATUS

• 40 hours/week
• Salaried, Exempt position

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION: CEC is committed to fostering a workplace culture grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, including a commitment to anti-racism. All staff are expected to contribute to an environment that supports belonging, respect, open sharing of ideas, and equitable outcomes for colleagues and the communities we serve. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: CEC does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 

Salary Description

• 70,000-80,000