Senior Director, Community Programs

The Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization dedicated to feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders by partnering with local organizations from the western mountains to the Eastern Shore. The food bank’s statewide network of food assistance brings enough resources together to provide nearly 114,000 meals every day (more than 41 million meals annually) to hungry children, seniors, veterans, and hard-working families, meeting the immediate needs of hungry Marylanders while simultaneously working to create pathways out of hunger.

The Maryland Food Bank embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented, diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.

About The Position

The Senior Director is a key member of the Community Programs leadership team. The leadership team influences team culture and organizational impact by providing leadership and direction for the entire Community Programs team, embodying our organizational values, and promoting a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment and team culture.

The Community Programs team is comprised of six regional teams whose work is focused on food distribution through community partners in specific geographic areas of Maryland, as well as five statewide teams who provide support across all regions in a specific topic area (Data Strategy, Technology, Communications, Grants, Compliance & Training). The Senior Director will directly manage two regional teams and at least one statewide team, providing instruction and guidance for their areas of primary leadership. We are seeking a leader who lives equity through how they lead, decide, and engage.

Primary Responsibilities

• The Senior Director helps set priorities aligned with MFB’s mission, strengthens program strategies, and fosters a collaborative, accountable, and caring team culture informed by insights from regional directors, partners, and community members
• Guides regional and statewide teams, supporting strategic planning and execution that builds partner capacity and advances equity in food access
• Oversees both operational tasks (e.g., compliance, communication) and transformational work (e.g., coaching, gathering partners, expanding access)
• Represent MFB externally and support their team’s involvement in councils, forums, and public meetings
• Lead partnership efforts with funders, elected officials, or community institutions aligned with MFB’s strategy
• Supports initiatives like trainings, resource distribution, grantmaking, and technology rollouts
• Contribute to strategic projects related to MFB’s strategic plan, including service enhancements and program evaluation
• Participates in cross-functional initiatives (e.g., strategic planning, EDI, HR, budget)
• Collaborates with internal teams (e.g., Finance, Operations) to address challenges, improve systems, and contribute to philanthropic and marketing efforts through strategic storytelling and planning
• The Senior Director demonstrates a human-first management approach that fosters psychological safety, prioritizes feedback, and builds an environment where all staff can thrive
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• A four-year degree in a related field
• Minimum eight (8) years in program or project management and five (5) years managing people, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in alignment with organizational values, fostering an inclusive, accountable team culture, and having a personal or professional connection to the communities served
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity in the workplace and food systems
• Experience driving team performance and facilitating collaborative decision-making
• Experience engaging stakeholders in community-driven planning and shared learning
• Effective communication skills across channels (e.g., written, oral, public speaking) and building strategic relationships
• Experience leveraging data and planning tools to track progress and inform improvements
• Ability to handle competing priorities with strong execution, service mindset, and attention to detail
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Experience leading change and process improvements within communities or organizations
  
  

The Community Programs Team at the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is focused on working with and through our statewide distribution partners to build capacity and develop community-based, equity-centered solutions that address food insecurity. We are seeking a mission-aligned leader who brings a deep commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness and who is skilled at fostering inclusive, trust-based work environments. This strategic and relational leader shapes regional and statewide strategies that strengthen trust, reduce disparities in food access, and center community lived experiences.

Nothing matters more to the Maryland Food Bank than our strong ethical and safety commitments. As such, all positions require a background check and drug test.

Salary Range

• $92,000 - $95,000 / annually
  
  

Work Environment

• This role will work on a hybrid schedule, with on-site or field work required at least 3 days per week
• Regular local travel will be required to partner sites, off-site events, and MFB branches in Hagerstown and Salisbury
  
  

To learn more about the Maryland Food Bank, visit www.mdfoodbank.org.