Manager of Education and Wellness, Windy City Harvest-Chicago,IL

Title: Manager of Education and Wellness

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Vice President of Community Partnerships

Year-Round, Full-time

Supervises: Buehler Enabling Garden Coordinator, Therapeutic Horticulture Services Coordinator and Educators Urban Agriculture (2) . Manages three to five programs. Total department size ranges from two to 15 people depending on season and program funding

 Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

Windy City Harvest (WCH) is looking for a dedicated manager of Education and Wellness. The manager of Education and Wellness will be part of a collaborative team environment and will work to promote education and wellness in the communities we serve by managing many programs in a manner that furthers our Garden mission. The person in this role will manage existing programs while also informing and helping to build vision and capacity for services. The person in this role is also responsible for managing partner relationships, achieving high quality outcomes, and meeting earned revenue goals.      

We believe in the power of plants to sustain and enrich life through food, health, and jobs. The manager of Education and Wellness will play an integral part in this mission by developing and leading a team that offers youth programming, therapeutic horticultural services, and experiential learning opportunities across the Chicago Botanic Garden and Windy City Harvest. 

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

Education & Wellness Contracts and Grants 

• Oversee all programmatic aspects of key current and future programs including Youth Farm, Therapeutic Horticulture, and experiential learning (school field trips, tours, farm experiences, and workshops). 
• Establishes goals related to educational and information-sharing standards for farm tours in line with best practices in interpretation, storytelling, and Chicago Botanic Garden mission. Ensures integration of inclusivity, accessibility, and multi-modal learning styles into tour and interpretive practices. Works closely with the team to ensure guests receive a welcoming experience.  
• Ensure contract and grant deliverables are met on time and on budget.  
• Manage staff to ensure there is sufficient programmatic coverage. Lead staff in a manner that drives high-quality outcomes for participants and high satisfaction for staff.   
• Develop, oversee, and track budgets for contracts and programs. 
• Develop and maintain programmatic data dashboards on Excel or other data software.
• Supervise, train, coach, and manage direct reports. Provide weekly check-ins and feedback.   
• Review and renew annual program contracts, make modifications as appropriate, and attain leadership sponsorship.   
• Establish and facilitate a regular communication cadence with partners and staff members.   
• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) once a week, overseeing daily operations and ensuring smooth functioning of the facility (Farm on Ogden).
• Inform the creation, planning, and implementation of new education and wellness programs and partnerships.  
• Support the evolution of existing programs to meet the evolving needs of Windy City Harvest participants, the food system, and the communities we serve. 
• Cultivate and steward relationships with existing and emerging programs, donors, and community partners. 
• Ensure clear, consistent communication and project management with internal Garden partnerships— particularly in the development and communications departments. 
• Represent the Chicago Botanic Garden in the media, at national and international conferences, and on local service boards.  
• Support the WCH team in other areas as needed. 
• Pursue and implement revenue opportunities in the form of off-site programming and new partnerships. 
• Cultivate external partnerships and relationships with organizations, agencies, and individuals who offer resources and collaboratives useful to Horticultural Therapy. 
• Work collaboratively with development and accounting departments to report on yearly budgets and grant deliverables. 
• Participate in Garden-wide strategic planning initiatives as requested.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fields such as urban agriculture, therapeutic horticulture, or public health.
• At least 2 years of experience managing budgets, tracking financials, and producing reports preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• At least 2 years’ experience supervising and supporting a team, with a focus on fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Comfort and experience in delivering public presentations and engaging with diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of how social determinants of health impact communities and knowledge of strategies for addressing these challenges.
• Experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma or other adverse life events.
• Skilled at cultivating and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders and community members.
• Passionate about using food, health, and employment as tools to connect people with nature and promote well-being.
• At least 2 years’ experience in donor engagement and communications and promoting organizational initiatives to varied audiences is highly preferred.
• Proficient in using Excel or other software to track, analyze, and report program data accurately.
• A commitment to being a dedicated and supportive resource for program participants, community members, and project partners.
• Highly organized with a keen attention to detail, capable of managing multiple tasks and solving challenges efficiently.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively via email, phone, and face-to-face.

Physical Demands: Office setting, frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, being in many different types of weather during site visits. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. 

Why Apply? 
 Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns.