Program Manager, Agricultural Nitrogen Transformation

About Spark

Spark is a science-driven, philanthropically funded non-profit that accelerates progress on unsolved climate challenges. Our goal is to enable a safer climate by filling targeted gaps in current climate actions. We look around the corner at the key blind spots that pose big climate risks or offer big climate opportunities, like major sources of unabated emissions. Then we work to speed up the development of the fields needed to address those challenges.

We are a team of scientists, policy experts, innovators, and systems thinkers working to build today’s foundations for the comprehensive climate solutions we will need tomorrow. Rather than betting on individual pathways or innovations, we work to grow a field as a whole so that the most effective science and solutions can be surfaced and scaled. We use a large suite of field-building tools to support new research, markets, policies, and talent development, through both in-house initiatives and building broader coalitions. We are currently focused on super pollutants from agriculture (specifically methane and nitrous oxide), warming-induced greenhouse gas emissions, and methane removal.

Spark’s impact is made possible by a community of generous and pioneering individuals, foundations, and organizations that share our vision for a safer climate future.

Position Summary

Spark’s Agricultural Nitrogen Transformation Program seeks a Program Manager to help build and execute on Spark’s Nitrogen program strategy. This role will accelerate progress on new approaches to significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen losses from crop and livestock systems, while maintaining and improving agricultural productivity to feed a growing world. In this job, you will help translate scientific and policy priorities for this new Spark program into well-scoped initiatives, projects, and partnerships. You will lead the planning, execution, and successful delivery of programs–such as research initiatives, regranting programs, and field-building activities. The Program Manager will report to the Director of the Agricultural Nitrogen Transformation program.

Who We’re Looking For

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A strategic thinker with a systems-level perspective who can move fluidly between technical detail and broader strategic or societal implications

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A highly organized team player capable of keeping track of complex workflows, integrating across domains, and ensuring program delivery against quarterly and annual goals

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An exceptional communicator who can engage scientific, policy, and philanthropic audiences, maintain consistent external relationships, and draft outputs for multiple audiences

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A deeply curious scientist who strives to stay current on the evolving status of research, policy, and markets in the agricultural and climate sectors–and is open-minded about future solutions

Key Responsibilities

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Design, manage, and execute a portfolio of complex initiatives (e.g., regranting programs, workshops, research collaborations, and multi-institutional projects), from scoping through delivery and evaluation.

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Contribute to the development and implementation of program strategy, ensuring alignment across initiatives, projects, and field-building activities.

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Organize and coordinate field-building activities, such as workshops, panels, and webinars.

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Provide scientific guidance to the program to ensure initiatives, projects, and external communications are technically rigorous and strategically sound.

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Conduct interviews, primary research, and/or synthesize research to inform program strategy, and contribute to roadmaps, briefs, reports, or peer-reviewed publications.

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Support the Program Director in tracking field development and research prioritization by synthesizing project outcomes and key learnings.

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Represent Spark’s Agricultural Nitrogen Transformation Program at key external events, including conferences and workshops.

Qualifications

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7+ years of combined professional and research experience, including any graduate work; of which 5+ years are professional experience outside of graduate work.

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Master’s or Ph.D. in agricultural sciences, biology, biogeochemistry, biotechnology, environmental sciences, engineering, or a related field.

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Demonstrated experience managing complex initiatives, research programs, or multi-partner projects.

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Technical knowledge and experience with crop and/or livestock systems in the U.S. and/or international contexts (desired).

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Experience designing or managing large-scale research initiatives, regranting programs, or scientific roadmaps (desired).

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Experience working in or with nonprofit, academic, philanthropic, or policy organizations (desired).

Why Join Us

Spark Climate Solutions is a nimble, impact-focused nonprofit driving urgent progress on underinvested climate solutions. You’ll join a team of scientists, strategists, and systems thinkers working to shift the trajectory of global climate mitigation. This role offers the chance to make a material difference on one of the world’s most potent and overlooked emissions sources.

Eligibility

Open to candidates authorized to work in the United States. International candidates may be considered with approval.

Location

As with all positions at Spark Climate Solutions, this will be 100% remote. Employees can work anywhere within the United States, or internationally with approval.

Compensation

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$130,000-$150,000 annually

• Competitive benefits package including 90% health coverage and 75% coverage for dependents, 401k matching, generous PTO, sick time, and an end-of-year closure, parental leave, annual national park pass, and more

6-Month Goals

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Contribute to the planning and execution of expert convenings on reducing nitrogen losses through manure recycling and livestock dietary changes

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Conduct analysis and review the literature on agricultural productivity, technology, and input use and the nitrous oxide mitigation potential of different technologies and innovations to develop priority mitigation pathways in diverse production systems

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Translate insights from expert convenings, scientific literature, and grey literature into a white paper that details opportunities to transform the field

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Work closely with the Program Director, Principal Scientist, Communications, and Strategic Partnerships to support finalization of program materials for key audiences, such as slide decks and 2-pagers

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Develop a proposed structure for a Research and Demonstration re-granting fund targeting high impact early-stage research, technoeconomic assessment, and targeted field trials