Menu

Hiring: Program and Finance Manager, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

Organizational Description

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s (New Entry) mission is to improve our local and regional food systems by training the next generation of farmers to produce food that is sustainable, nutritious and culturally appropriate and making this food accessible to individuals regardless of age, mobility, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.  In doing this work, New Entry provides critical training, career development, and economic opportunity to new farmers.

Job Summary

The Program and Finance Manager will help develop, prepare and submit federal, state, local, and private foundation grants while ensuring that an adequate control structure is in place over the spending of funds between New Entry’s two fiscal sponsors. He/She will engage in strategic planning and financial analysis in such areas as forecasting, budgeting, engaging in cost reduction analysis, and reviewing operational performance.  He/She will facilitate the efficient operation of the office through administrative, clerical and financial managerial tasks; provide support in supervising AmeriCorps VISTA members; and coordinate New Entry events.

Essential Job Functions

Finance and Operations

  • Prepare organizational budget, develop budget projections and scenarios, and continuously assess and monitor annual spending for Farming Project (over $1 Mil. annual budget);
  • Provide programmatic leadership and input for strategic plan implementation processes.  Recommend resources needed to meet strategic goals;
  • Develop budgets and supporting documentation for New Entry grant proposals;
  • Provide assistance with preparation, writing, and submission of grant proposals to multiple sources;
  • Develop and implement systems to track and report program metrics to funders;
  • Prepare and coordinate progress and final reports to share results with funders;
  • Process all organizational accounts receivable and payable transactions, including all receipts and invoicing for World PEAS Food Hub institutional and individual customers (a $300K+ program of New Entry);
  • Create all third-party and related contracts, and track spending and deliverables under these contracts;
  • Reconcile monthly financials and capture key data to report on the relationship between New Entry’s goals and fundraising needs;
  • Serve as liaison with New Entry’s two fiscal sponsors to ensure communications of protocol to staff, and control of deposits and expenditures;
  • Assist Food Hub team in evaluating micro loan applications, coordinate advancing loans to farmers, and track repayment from farmers;
  • Assist Food Hub team in making timely payment to farmers for produce delivered to World PEAS Food Hub;
  • Evaluate student applications and provide scholarships to eligible low-income students entering the New Entry Farm Business Planning Course;
  • Coordinate fees and invoicing to producers leasing land at New Entry’s Incubator Farm Training program; establish payment plans if necessary.

Administration

  • Orient all new staff to administrative and office protocol.  Establish accounts and familiarize staff with all office system;, including computer access and passwords, email accounts, administration of website, Salesforce, Form Assembly, Mailchimp, Box.com, Dropbox, Office Suite phone system, graphic design software, and New Entry social media accounts. Orient staff through ADP timecard submission process;
  • Review and approve bi-weekly ADP staff hours via TSNE payroll system;
  • Oversee internal policies, procedures and processes, and initiate changes as needed to maintain and enhance the organizational efficiency and effectiveness;
  • Manage office budget, determine supply needs, and make purchases;
  • Determine computer hardware and software needs, maintain current licenses, and conduct requisitions as needed;
  • Manage and maintain office systems, including phone system and copy machine/fax machine;
  • Maintain New Entry’s Free Agricultural Library (over 400 publications) in order to continue to offer a relevant resource for beginning farmer education.

Capacity Building

  • Manage AmeriCorps VISTA members in their various capacity-building roles;
  • Work with New Entry staff to determine organizational capacity building needs and develop Volunteer Assignment Descriptions to address needs;
  • Complete application for VISTA members.  Recruit, identify, and hire VISTA members to fill capacity-building roles;
  • Attend VISTA supervisory training;
  • Develop and conduct VISTA-specific On-Site Orientation and Training.  Assist with housing identification and other needs to welcome and orient VISTA members;
  • Act as mentor to VISTA members.  Establish a learning environment and assist VISTA’s to grow into leadership roles;
  • Work closely with VISTA members during their one-year term to develop work plans, manage activities and monitor progress toward goals;
  • Complete quarterly VISTA assessment to report progress to State VISTA Office.

Event Coordination

  • Coordinate New Entry’s Annual Farm Tour event to allow opportunity for the public to meet and learn from farmers on the field;
  • Coordinate annual Spring Launch graduation event to acknowledge work of Farm Business Planning Course graduates;
  • Assist with other events as scheduled.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in finance or accounting required, or equivalent experience plus 5+ years of progressively responsible managerial experience;
  • Ability to prepare project budgets, projections, and reconcile financials;
  • Grant writing experience/ experience in preparing funding proposals;
  • Experience in a nonprofit setting helpful, with a strong preference for someone who has operated in a fast growing environment with limited budgets and resources;
  • Strong writing ability, particularly in presenting program progress reports to funders;
  • Strong computer skills and ability to adapt to learning new programs and software; outstanding knowledge of computer spreadsheets (Excel) and Quickbooks; Experience with Salesforce preferred;
  • Familiarity with agriculture, beginning farmers, and/or food security work;
  • Self-motivation and self-direction, flexibility, positive attitude, and willingness to adjust to a rapidly changing landscape and the possibility of unanticipated projects and demands;
  • Experience and demonstrated excellence in problem solving and/or recommending solutions;
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure with acute attention to detail;
  • At least 3 years of supervisory experience required.

Apply online here.
We also accept applications by mail or fax. Apply by mail to: Third Sector New England, Attn: Employment Manager, NonProfit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA  02111; or send by fax to: 617.523.2070.

Find It Locally

Search CISA’s online guide to local farms, food, and more!

Find Local Food