What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs position at Food Bank for the Heartland?
Position Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs
Supported by: Vice President of Community Impact
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Our Story:
Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.
Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.
In Short:
The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs is a visionary leader who drives the development and execution of impactful hunger relief initiatives across our network. This role is dedicated to empowering our existing and upcoming food bank partners through capacity building and fostering strong relationships that enhance operational effectiveness and community outreach. The Director also plays a pivotal role in identifying and cultivating new strategic partnerships, expanding our reach and influence to ensure more neighbors have access to the support and resources they deserve, fostering a community of care and connection.
Central to this position is the ability to innovate, create, and oversee new programs that address critical hunger, nutrition, and education issues. By staying at the forefront of emerging trends and challenges, the Director ensures our initiatives are responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Data-driven decision-making is key, and the Director utilizes robust data analysis to evaluate program effectiveness, measure impact, and continuously improve outcomes. This role also provides oversight to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, safeguarding the integrity of our operations while ensuring the highest service standards.
The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs is a catalyst for change, combining passion, expertise, and strategic thinking to lead initiatives that create a lasting, positive impact in the fight against hunger.
Your Mission:
Transformative Leadership & Strategic Stewardship: This role will serve as a dynamic leader who inspires transformative change, ignites innovation, and fosters collaboration to deliver impactful, sustainable resources that advance the Food Bank for Heartland’s core mission, vision, values, and goals. These efforts encompass, but are not limited to:
Supported by: Vice President of Community Impact
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Our Story:
Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.
Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.
In Short:
The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs is a visionary leader who drives the development and execution of impactful hunger relief initiatives across our network. This role is dedicated to empowering our existing and upcoming food bank partners through capacity building and fostering strong relationships that enhance operational effectiveness and community outreach. The Director also plays a pivotal role in identifying and cultivating new strategic partnerships, expanding our reach and influence to ensure more neighbors have access to the support and resources they deserve, fostering a community of care and connection.
Central to this position is the ability to innovate, create, and oversee new programs that address critical hunger, nutrition, and education issues. By staying at the forefront of emerging trends and challenges, the Director ensures our initiatives are responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Data-driven decision-making is key, and the Director utilizes robust data analysis to evaluate program effectiveness, measure impact, and continuously improve outcomes. This role also provides oversight to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, safeguarding the integrity of our operations while ensuring the highest service standards.
The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs is a catalyst for change, combining passion, expertise, and strategic thinking to lead initiatives that create a lasting, positive impact in the fight against hunger.
Your Mission:
Transformative Leadership & Strategic Stewardship: This role will serve as a dynamic leader who inspires transformative change, ignites innovation, and fosters collaboration to deliver impactful, sustainable resources that advance the Food Bank for Heartland’s core mission, vision, values, and goals. These efforts encompass, but are not limited to:
- Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to drive transformative, enduring change across the organization by influencing strategic decisions and empowering others to advance the vision and mission meaningfully.
- Spearhead the implementation of innovative operational processes that elevate organizational efficiency and enhance FBFH's visibility. By driving improvements in strategic partnerships and programs, you will strengthen the foundation for impactful service, ensuring that every aspect of our operation is optimized to support and accelerate our mission.
- Lead, inspire, and empower a high-performing team focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement. Fostering a positive, collaborative environment motivates employees to excel while driving growth and shared success. Through mentorship and prioritizing individual development, this approach ensures the right talent is in place, aligning the team with the organization’s strategic goals.
- Champions adherence to the highest standards and ensures we have an effective system for monitoring local, state, and federal regulations. This role ensures all programming activities comply with legal requirements and industry best practices. This role drives excellence in maintaining compliance standards, Feeding America's contractual obligations, and upholding organizational policies and procedures, safeguarding integrity and impact at every level of operation.
- Strategically develops, prepares, and manages the departmental budget, ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability while driving the achievement of financial goals and maintaining unwavering adherence to budget targets.
- Leads the development of strategic goals, performance metrics, KPIs, and best practices for partnerships and programs, driving continuous improvement. Mentors and empowers team members in the creation and execution of these metrics, fostering a culture of excellence and process optimization to achieve transformative results.
- Develop and continuously refine department standard operating procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date, efficient, and aligned with organizational goals to drive consistency and operational excellence.
- Develop and launch new program initiatives, driving strategic planning and decision-making aligned with FBFH’s goals and mission. Focuses on identifying fresh opportunities and priorities that advance our mission while fostering innovation and growth to meet evolving needs.
- Build and cultivate strong, collaborative partnerships with internal teams to ensure seamless alignment, with a strong focus on agency relations. Drive unified goals and objectives through effective, timely communication, empowering all teams to work cohesively and propel the organization’s mission forward with purpose and impact.
Fosters and Nurtures a Dynamic Network of Agency Partnerships: Serve as the driving force behind fostering and nurturing a dynamic network of agency partnerships in creating a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration, where each partner is not only connected but inspired to push the boundaries of what’s possible in hunger relief. It’s about weaving diverse voices and strengths together, fostering a shared purpose and innovative culture. Through these relationships, this role will unlock new pathways to impact and empower agencies to amplify their efforts and tackle the root causes of hunger, nutrition, and education with bold, creative solutions. This network becomes more than just a coalition—it is a living, evolving force for change, united by a shared vision of transformative progress and lasting impact.
- Evaluate the capacity of our partner network and create dynamic strategies to eliminate food insecurity across the Food Bank service area, continuously driving progress through innovative solutions. Through ongoing assessment and collaboration, empower partnerships to amplify their impact, ensuring suitable and transformative change in the fight against hunger.
- Design and lead transformative workshops and training forums, including an annual partnership conference, that inspire and empower partnership and program staff to overcome challenges, embrace growth, and implement best practices. Through this collaborative approach, these sessions will address key areas of improvement identified through agency surveys, onsite monitoring, and assessments, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence that drives meaningful, lasting change in our collective mission.
- Collaborate with development, data management, and finance teams to gather, analyze, and weave impactful financial and program data, crafting compelling narratives that drive our mission forward.
- Lead the development and execution of high-impact partnership and program teams by crafting a comprehensive operating manual, up-to-date policies, and streamlined procedures. Through unwavering dedication, ensuring internal and external communication is presented with professionalism and clarity, empowering teams to work with purpose and pride while reinforcing our commitment to excellence and innovation at every level.
- Lead the establishment and oversight of rigorous standards for agency and program site visits and monitoring, ensuring that every partnership and program is empowered with the knowledge and tools to excel. Through strategic guidance and ongoing support, we foster a culture of excellence where all members are thoroughly trained in food safety, civil rights, and compliance requirements, driving accountability and reinforcing our collective commitment to delivering impactful services.
- Design and implement a dynamic program evaluation framework, crafting innovative tools to measure impact, sustainability, and growth. Analyze data and performance to develop actionable strategies and recommendations to address challenges and elevate program effectiveness. Drive continuous improvement by executing these strategies and measuring their impact, ensuring tangible results that align with our long-term vision for success.
- Lead and develop the Service Insight program, driving the coordination, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the data collection process in partnership with agencies. Oversee the rollout, updates, and ongoing operation, ensuring seamless integration and empowering powers to utilize data to drive informed decision-making and improve service delivery.
- Builds and leads a collaborative team that partners with agencies to set ambitious goals, measure progress, and assess performance, empowering them to exceed expectations and continuously achieve meaningful outcomes. Through strategic guidance and ongoing support, fosters a results-driven culture that drives excellence and mutual growth.
- Lead the development and co-facilitation of an Agency Advisory Council, empowering partners to collaborate, share insights, and shape strategic initiatives that strengthen the network and drive collective impact. Foster a dynamic, inclusive environment where diverse perspectives contribute to innovative solutions and the continuous advancement of our mission.
- Develop and oversee a dynamic partner agency tier system that empowers agencies to thrive by providing tailored support, resources, and growth opportunities. Foster a culture of collaboration and excellence, ensuring each agency has the tools and guidance needed to elevate its impact and better serve its communities.
- Develop and cultivate a culture of customer service excellence to drive and strengthen agency partnerships, fostering an environment where collaboration, responsiveness, and support are at the forefront of every interaction. Empower agencies with the tools and guidance they need to succeed, ensuring mutually beneficial, impactful relationships that further our mission.
- Drive the continuous development of strong advocacy networks, goals, and tools by building and maintaining internal and external strategic partnerships and collaborating closely with key internal teams to align efforts.
Strengthens and Expands the Capacity of Programs and Partnerships: As a strategic leader who drives the strengthening and expansion of programs and partnerships, you catalyze transformative growth and lasting impact. With a visionary approach, this leadership recognizes the power of collaboration and actively cultivates meaningful relationships that extend beyond traditional boundaries. By fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and shared purpose, this leader inspires their teams and partners to push the limits of what is possible, unlocking new opportunities to address community needs. Through strategic development, thoughtful capacity-building, and a relentless focus on impact, this leader ensures that programs thrive and expand, creating a ripple effect that implies positive change and empowers every partnership to reach its fullest potential.
- Evaluate and seek opportunities for growth and improvement, crafting innovative strategies and presenting impactful recommendations that drive operational excellence. With a focus on efficiency, this leadership inspires change and leads the charge in implementing solutions that elevate service quality, enhance effectiveness, and accelerate the organization’s mission.
- Serve as a passionate and impactful representative of Food Bank for the Heartland at community groups and events, leveraging networking, public relations, and speaking engagements to cultivate new partnerships, amplify our mission, and expand program reach. Inspire collaboration and strengthen connections that drive collective action in the fight against hunger.
- Empower and position staff and partners to enhance partner capacity and expand client services by fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving, innovation, and open communication, ensuring continuous improvement and impactful solutions that drive meaningful outcomes.
- Drive and strategically develop regional areas within FBFH’s service region to address urban, suburban, rural, and remote hunger challenges with tailored solutions. Create innovative strategies that increase food access for underserved groups, considering factors such as cultural, racial, gender, age, and military identity, ensuring equitable access to nutritious, healthy food options for all communities.
- Drive, support, and amplify community-driven initiatives, government, and community-based organizations in addressing barriers to food access. Identify, implement, and enhance FBFH’s support for programs empowering local efforts to expand access to nutritious foods and foster long-term, sustainable solutions.
- Drive engagement with nontraditional partners such as colleges, hospitals, and rural grocers to co-develop and implement innovative, community-driven solutions that tackle food insecurity and improve access to healthy food. Foster cross-sector collaboration to create unique approaches that address the evolving needs of diverse populations.
- Develop and oversee the agency application, evaluation, onboarding, and agreement process, ensuring a seamless, transparent, and empowering experience for partnerships.
Other duties entrusted within your scope of practice.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Commitment to the FBFH mission and values.
- Strong computer and technology skills around Microsoft Office and general technology.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills focused on relationship-building, listening, and support.
- Ability to consistently commit to trustworthiness, dependability, and reliability.
- Leads with influence, cultivating a coaching culture that empowers and inspires the team. Excels in prioritizing and communicating key objectives, driving alignment and focus to ensure the organization achieves its goals with purpose and impact.
- A strategic visionary with a strong operational mindset, relentlessly focused on achieving results and driving success through a perfect balance of thoughtful planning and hands-on execution.
- Highly adaptable and resilient, with a proven ability to confidently manage change and navigate competing priorities seamlessly, maintaining focus and driving success without losing momentum in a high-paced, multi-tasking environment.
- Exemplifies diplomacy and exceptional customer service, with a strong ability to build positive relationships and collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, fostering a supportive and productive environment for all.
- Innovative and forward-thinking, constantly listening to emerging trends from staff, volunteers, and the community and expertly translating these insights into actionable strategies that drive progress and impact.
- A dynamic team player and collaborative leader, driving synergy within the programs department and across all functions, fostering a unified approach to achieving organizational goals.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, fostering trust and driving meaningful partnerships.
- Possesses sharp business acumen and a strategic mindset, leveraging a deep understanding of key organizational goals to drive strategy and operations. Using this insight to deliver impactful results that directly advance the mission and long-term success of the organization.
- A dynamic leader with a strong sense of humor, unwavering integrity, humility, and entrepreneurial spirit. Stays calm under pressure, always maintaining focus and composure while remaining deeply committed to continuous improvement and driving meaningful progress in all endeavors.
- Ability to delegate, providing authority to work independently and set expectations.
- Operates with a sense of urgency.
Your Story:
- A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
- Additional years of experience may substitute for education.
- A minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams in designing, developing, and implementing impactful programs that address community needs, with a strong focus on measurable outcomes and sustainable growth.
- Lived experience with the impacts of systemic racism or marginalization is a plus.
About The Team:
Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.
This role is vital to the Food Bank for the Heartlands’ Senior Leadership Team, Community Impact Team, and Network Relations Team. The Vice President of Community Impact supports this role.
Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.
This role is vital to the Food Bank for the Heartlands’ Senior Leadership Team, Community Impact Team, and Network Relations Team. The Vice President of Community Impact supports this role.
We have cultivated an environment that actively fosters your success, providing the tools, resources, and support necessary to thrive and reach your full potential:
Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal-opportunity employer, and we’re excited to work with talented and empathetic people of all identities. As required by law and in line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity, FBFH does not discriminate based on someone’s identity in any aspect of hiring or employment. Our code of conduct provides a beacon for the kind of company we strive to be, and we celebrate our differences. FBFH will consider all qualified applicants.
FBFH is committed to inclusions. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org
We empower your well-being by prioritizing your health, growth, and balance to ensure you thrive both personally and professionally:
We prioritize your well-being by offering a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, retirement, supplemental, and leave benefits. Additionally, we provide resources like our Employee Assistance Program, designed to support your overall health and personal needs, ensuring you thrive both at work and in life.
