Overview
Blue Zones Activate is an intensive three-year initiative designed to accelerate community-endorsed transformation to deliver healthier environments. Activate Policy propels community development forward, refining policies and enhancing physical infrastructure to reshape the very systems influencing individual health and community life. This initiative champions healthier living through strategic planning, design, and maintenance of crucial assets such as streets, parks, housing, trails, and gathering spaces.
Blue Zones is working collaboratively with Lehigh Valley Health Network, in Bethlehem, PA, to ensure that routine physical activity, social connections, and healthier lifestyles are enabled and sustained, resulting in profound physical and policy transformation, delivering a community environment that prioritizes health, vitality, and longevity now and into the future.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a resident of Bethlehem, familiar with the challenges faced by residents in the community and will have connections to civic and government leadership, community outreach programs, community non-profits and area businesses. They know how to “make things happen”, are well respected in the community and viewed as a diplomat and connector.
Cultural Alignment
Must be able to work in a fast paced, changing environment. Must have a growth mentality and the requisite nimble and agile approach to support a dynamic, multi-faceted program. Must show a commitment to the player-coach style role expectations. Knowledge of and demonstrated belief in the Blue Zones principles required. Understanding of, and a willingness to engage in policy and systems level change work, including but not limited to: policy reform; community education and facilitation; program organization and execution; demonstration projects pilot and data analysis; and performance management and monitoring.
To apply, send your resume and cover letter indicating the position you are interested in to [email protected].
Summary
The Director, Community Transformation will be accountable for leading the local implementation of the Blue Zones Activate Policy program. This person will serve as the primary local leader and liaison, guiding the overall project direction, coordinating with community stakeholders, and ensuring the successful implementation of the selected strategies. This person is responsible for aligning the project’s activities with local needs and aspirations, driving community engagement and improved awareness with key stakeholders, project execution and monitoring progress. This position is the key facilitator between the Blue Zones National Office and the community, bridging local insights with subject matter expertise to foster a health-focused cultural shift within the community.
Essential Job Functions:
- Serve as the community liaison to the Blue Zones LLC, motivating and engaging community members to participate in the 4D Policy Process of the Blue Zones Activate product.
- Advise Blue Zones LLC staff on community dynamics and history to ensure approach aligns with local cultural norms.
- Organize and manage the Implementation Action Teams, specific to each policy area, to spearhead and support project-specific efforts in the Implementation Phase.
- Participate in community events as a representative of Blue Zones LLC.
- Organize and manage the Steering Committee and other committees as needed.
- Execute community responsibilities as delineated in the Activate Operational Playbook.
- Organize and host community events, including but not limited to: logistics, community outreach, facilitation, post-event survey and recap, etc.
- Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts and Blue Zones LLC to design and execute impactful, measurable, and attainable Action Plans, and product deliverables, based upon an engaging development process.
- Coordinate volunteers, and lead efforts to execute annual Action Plans.
- Organize and host meetings: scheduling, hosting, drafting agendas, taking minutes, coordinating food and beverage, etc.
- Develop reports in collaboration with Blue Zones LLC, i.e. Annual Impact Photobook, etc.
- Provide regular communications and updates to key stakeholders (i.e. Sponsor, Steering Committee, etc.) related to the progress of the Blue Zones Activate initiative.
- Identify and develop funding opportunities to support the deliverables of the deployment / transformation phase.
- Support partner fundraising efforts through funder introductions, letters of support, and application support.
Specific Skills/Attributes:
- An effective leader and coach who can motivate volunteer teams to successfully achieve project goals and objectives.
- Strong organization and operational skills.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills as evidenced in articulate professional presentations to a group, establishes one-on-one rapport, writing detailed reports, and communicating via email and phone conversations.
- Able to communicate effectively as a project spokesperson with local media and with local/regional/national organizations.
- Results oriented – understands what results are important and focuses resources to achieve them.
- Ability to manage sponsor relationships while meeting overall business needs.
- Demonstrates financial acumen and successful budget management.
- Inspiring, influencing, collaborative, and responsible team player.
- Energized by the Blue Zones Mission.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience as a leader in operations, as a community organizer and/or managing complex community initiatives or campaigns with diverse volunteer resources. A blend of for-profit and government or non-profit experience is a plus.
- Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree preferred. Experience in lieu of education is also considered.
- Experience in local government, policy, municipal planning, urban planning and design, food systems, etc. is preferred.
- Prior training and/or experience in diversity, equity and inclusion is preferred.