Careers

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer, better. Our work is rooted in the New York Times best-selling books The Blue Zones, Thrive, The Blue Zones Solution, and The Blue Zones of Happiness—published by National Geographic books. We are applying the tenets of The Blue Zones in 48 communities throughout the U.S., significantly improving health and lowering healthcare costs. We take a systematic, environmental approach to well-being that focuses on optimizing policy, building design, social networks, and the built environment. Our work is Pro-Pedestrian, Pro-People, Pro-Plant, and Pro-Purpose. The Blue Zones Project is based on this innovative approach. Our work has been featured in media from Oprah to NPR, the New York Times, WSJ, NPR, National Geographic and the New England Journal of Medicine. For more information, visit bluezones.com.

PROJECT MANAGER – POLICY/COMMUNITY PROJECTS

SUMMARY

Blue Zones Project Manager provides support our Built Environment Policy and Food Systems Policy Expert teams with a focus on continuous improvement. The Project Manager monitors projects daily to track progress against the schedule, resolve risks/issues and manage project changes. This position acts as a central information source for each project. The Project Manager will have exceptional skills in the following areas: communication, time management, problem solving, team player, and customer expectation management.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage small to large projects that span multiple years.
• Write Reports, develop presentations and project scope of work documentation with the support of the Blue Zones Policy Expert team.
• Provide weekly status reports, escalating issues to policy expert team and senior management
• Effectively work with and manage cross-functional teams and partners to bring projects to fruition on time and within budget
• Plan program activities, tasks, and end results, including work breakdown, scheduling, and budgeting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years’ experience leading complex, high-profile projects/initiatives
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to resolve conflict and arrive at collaborative solutions
• Creative problem solving with a passion for quality and a desire to drive change
• Technology savvy and strong in Microsoft Suite
• Proven written and oral communication abilities.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public interactions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree and/or project management certification
• Understanding of Built Environment and Food Systems policy.
• Experience working in a community role or possess a strong interest in community work.

Office Location: Minneapolis, MN
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Contact: Please send resume and cover letter with the job title in the subject line: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT, BLUE ZONES POLICY SERVICES

About Blue Zones Policy Services: We help cities implement policies that improve their food and built environment. Our company has identified best practice policies. We have a team of experts that helps city leaders come to consensus around the most effective and feasible policies for their community. Then we provide ongoing coaching, community organizing and leadership engagement to implement those policies. We call this process Blue Zones Activate. Over the past three years Blue Zones has doubled the Policy Services line of business.

SUMMARY

The Vice President, Blue Zones Policy Services is responsible for leading, managing and growing the Policy Services business line. This includes overall responsibility for the customer relationships and leading a team of experts that help the community get policies passed in a three-year time horizon. Experience and knowledge regarding municipal government policy is important as this role serves as the key consultant to the community related to advancing the Built Environment and Food Systems work. Reports to: Blue Zones, LLC, President and CEO.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Builds the Policy Services Team. Leads and manages all employees and contractors dedicated to the delivery of Blue Zones Policy Services
• Successful performance of the Policy Services business line including growth of Blue Zones Activate, strategic planning, annual budgets and full P&L
• Primary responsibility for the overall execution of Blue Zones Policy Services, including customer relationship and satisfaction
• Leads the process of cities coming to consensus on the most feasible and effective policy for their city, then manages the timeline to assure they are implemented
• Regularly evaluates Policy Services performance and makes any modifications needed to meet our value proposition to customers and stakeholders
• Establish an accountability and quality system with clearly defined goals
• Works collaboratively with other key Blue Zones leaders responsible for business development to help achieve ultimate sales goals
• Recruits, selects and evaluates talent to fulfill contractual obligations with customers
• Leads the Blue Zones Policy expert team and the community to advance the policy and marquee projects selected. This will focus on the navigation of the community political hierarchy, budget cycles and stakeholder management providing insight and direction
• Oversight of production and delivery of Blue Zones Policy Services to the CEO, and Activate Annual Reports to the community regarding achievements and progress made against Budget Plan
• Oversight of the production of the Blue Zones Activate Community Action Plan and annual update to the plan

EXPERIENCE

• Has successfully run a line of business including full P&L responsibilities, ownership of product and product performance, and ability to make product modifications to meet market promises
• Proven ability to grow business line and exceed business expectations
• 7+ years leading and operating business lines in a related health sector and/or leading the implementation of policy via a leadership role in managing a municipality
• Has been a leader in municipal government or has dealt with city or state public policies
• Strong organizational and managerial leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize, direct and motivate a team
• Proven success in building productive, strong relationships with customers

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• A collaborative, team-oriented style with the ability to be strong and decisive
• Highly-developed writing and public speaking ability
• Strong organizational and managerial leadership skills
• Ability to motivate, to persuade, to negotiate and to resolve conflicts
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Considerable energy and a strong work ethic
• Deals well with ambiguity
• Is fast-paced and agile
• Intellectually curious and a can-do attitude

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree required, and a master’s degree is preferred

Contact: Please send resume and cover letter with the job title in the subject line: [email protected]