Director of Network Strategy and Partnerships

Mission: MANNA’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina 

Vision: A hunger-free Western North Carolina 

Position Summary: The Director of Network Strategy and Partnerships envisions, creates, and implements the overall strategic direction for provision of food services across Western North Carolina.  The Director oversees the engagement, enrollment, and management of all Community partners, Youth Program partners and MANNA partners that provide direct service to clients across MANNA’s 16-county service area.   They develop and direct plans to identify service gaps and strategies to close those gaps throughout the 16 counties and Qualla Boundary utilizing qualitative and quantitative data and analysis to evaluate efficacy and impact.  The Director of Network Strategy provides oversight of compliance and capacity building including support, feedback and guidance to ensure all Federal, State, County, and Feeding America regulations are met. The Director provides management and oversight to Agency Relations, Community Markets, and Youth Programs teams aimed at promoting best practices, continuous improvement of departmental processes and systems, and strategic relationship building to expand and strengthen MANNA’s provision of services. They support a collaborative, cross-departmental approach to Agency Relations & Community Partnership work to further integrate MANNA Programs across our network.  

Oversight of other persons/positions: Agency Relation Managers (3), Community Markets Manager, Youth Programs Manager, Community Market Supervisor, Agency Relations Coordinator, Community Market Coordinators (2), AmeriCorps Service Member(s), interns, and volunteers. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Develops and implements the strategic plan, annual work plans, budgeting, grantmaking, compliance, and capacity building for the department which supports a partner network of 220 non-profit agencies, 100 Youth Program Partners and a network of community markets working to end hunger across our 16-county service area.  

The Director is responsible for program development and management activities in support of the partner and community market network including scope, cost, timeline, and communication management, and is responsible for all reporting, data collection, and grant/contract compliance. They provide a range of technical assistance, education, training and support to the partner and community network as well as the department staff. The Director maintains good relationships through proactive communications, regular meetings, and a collaborative approach to partnership and ending hunger. 

In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency or order, MANNA FoodBank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called upon to perform regular or emergent duties. 

Network Direction: 

• Creates the Strategic Direction for the MANNA Network, Identifies and analyzes measurements in service equity, leads efforts to prioritize marginalized communities and fill gaps across our service area.   

• Develops, implements, and leads recruitment plans for potentially eligible partners and community markets and directs application review and approval process 

• Oversees on-site review process for all new partner organizations and regular monitoring, including problem site and termination reviews. Supervises on-going training to partner agencies, community markets, department staff, and volunteers in review of member organizations to ensure compliance with MANNA policies and standards. 

• Oversees coordination and maintenance of partner information, compliance records, Feeding America and program evaluation and audits, educational materials and files, food safety training, and application requests.  

• Works cross-functionally with MANNA staff and volunteers to ensure successful provision of services including but not limited; to government commodities, mobile deliveries, public policy initiatives, community market distributions and online ordering program.  

• Contributes to and monitors the measures of needs and services including; Map the Meal Gap, Service Area Assessment and internal foodbank measures, and creates strategies to address shortcomings in coordination with Senior Leadership Team and appropriate departments. 

• Manages engagement, communication and strategies related to community partner collaborations, such as advisory councils and network conferences.   

• Oversees new partner orientation and training sessions, agency annual meetings, talking councils, zone meetings, and partner agency advocacy activities. 

• Develops, oversees, researches, and implements cultivation efforts for new program initiatives related to the partner network with support of Senior Leadership Team. 

General Department Management: 

• Sets the strategic direction and priorities for the department, in collaboration with the CCIO and the senior leadership team.   

• Provide direction, training, supervision, and performance management of all direct reports. 

• Develop and monitor department budgets, data tracking and reporting, and maintain objectives, goals, and work plans for the team and MANNA.     

• In partnership with MANNA’s Development Team, apply for grant funding, manage grant outcomes, and submit timely reporting. 

• Oversee the recruiting and training of staff, interns, and volunteers as needed.    

• Complete periodic reports required by funders, donors, senior management, and the board of directors.   

• Serves as staff liaison to Board committees that may form related to agency relations, community markets, and youth programs. Attends monthly Board meetings and functions as needed. 

• Assists and performs additional duties as needed or assigned by leadership.   

Communications: 

• Creates and implements communication strategies to inform and educate community partners.  

• Oversees, coordinates, and implements data support for communications and public relations efforts with media and community partners, and key program areas of MANNA FoodBank. 

• Supervises communication efforts with Facebook/Twitter/MANNA’s website with communications staff and oversees the partner newsletter, MANNA Message. 

• Liaises with coalitions, community councils, and other organizations to identify opportunities for innovative approaches to food security in our 16-county service area.    

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and relevant experience in human services, business/project management and/or nonprofit management; a minimum of 5 years of experience in a management role  

• The ideal candidate will have specific experiences in leading, managing and training on-site and remote individuals, volunteers, and teams, community organizing, working with nonprofits as well as public and private organizations in diverse and rural settings  

• Proficiency in full Microsoft Office Suite is a must; experience working with databases and other more complex information systems is a plus 

• Proven track record of success working in a busy office environment, meeting deadlines and managing multiple priorities 

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills   

• Experience in public speaking, meeting facilitation, program development and management, public and private partnership development 

• Demonstrated experience in project management is highly preferred 

Working Conditions: This position will be performed in a typical office environment. 

Physical Demands: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting. This includes: the ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; ability to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. 

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus; close visual acuity to perform activities including but not limited to preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.  

Travel: Minimal, but routine travel may be required within the service area; occasional overnight travel for conferences or regional meetings.  Employee must provide proof of current and valid driver’s license.  

Schedule: Typical schedule is Mon – Fri daytime hours but requires flexibility to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed.  This position is primarily in an office with flexibility for some remote work.  

Compensation and Benefits: The starting pay range for the Director of Network Strategy and Partnerships is $77,183 - $81,471. MANNA is also thrilled to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package: 

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance 

• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Accidental Injury Insurance  

• 136 hours of PTO in the first year (after 3 months of employment)  

• 10 Paid Holidays 

• Paid Breaks 

• Parental Leave  

• 401k, 3% company match (after 3 months of employment)  

• Employee Assistance Program  

• Discounted Gym Membership  

• Flexible Schedule Options