Economic Development Project Manager

The City of Phoenix, Arizona, is working to strengthen its local food economy and better integrate food systems into urban development as part of its broader commitment to building a regenerative, climate‑resilient food system. The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct two critical analyses: a comprehensive food supply chain study and an evaluation of developer incentives to support food system integration.

Together, this work will help Phoenix identify opportunities to support regenerative agriculture and land use practices, strengthen local production and distribution networks, and embed food systems into the built environment in ways that restore environmental health and community resilience. Ultimately, this work will help Phoenix identify key gaps in its food system, align development practices with sustainability goals, and create a more resilient, connected, and equitable regenerative food ecosystem for all residents.

Fellowship Dates:
October 26, 2026 – October 22, 2027

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market‑rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

Urban food systems are a vital part of advancing climate resilience, economic opportunity, and equitable access to healthy food. Strengthening local food systems can reduce dependence on imported goods, lower environmental impacts, support local producers, and improve access to fresh food in underserved communities. These efforts are especially important in cities experiencing rapid growth and development pressures, where land use decisions and infrastructure investments significantly shape long‑term food access and sustainability outcomes.

In Phoenix, Arizona, extreme heat, water constraints, and rapid development create both challenges and opportunities for building a resilient local food economy. Despite being located within a major agricultural region, much of the food consumed in Phoenix is imported, and there is limited visibility into how food moves through the local supply chain. At the same time, ongoing development across the city presents an opportunity to better integrate food assets, such as urban agriculture, community kitchens, and food retail and distribution hubs, into new projects.

Still, the City lacks a clear understanding of the barriers and incentives that influence developer decision‑making.

The Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) is leading the development of the City’s 2030 Food Action Plan, which prioritizes strengthening local food systems, improving access to nutritious food, and advancing sustainability goals. Two key components of this plan, a citywide food supply chain analysis and an evaluation of developer incentives, require dedicated capacity to advance. Phoenix will partner with FUSE to support this work.

The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct in‑depth research, stakeholder engagement, and analysis to deliver actionable recommendations that inform the City’s strategy and guide future policy and programmatic decisions.

Beginning in November 2026, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work with the Office of Environmental Programs, internal city departments, and external stakeholders to conduct two major studies that will inform Phoenix’s food systems strategy and development practices. The Fellow’s work will be focused on completing two primary deliverables:
1) a comprehensive food supply chain analysis and
2) a developer incentives and engagement analysis. These analyses will serve as the…