What are the responsibilities and job description for the director of community programs and engagement position at The GrowHaus?
Director of Community Programs and Engagement
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary: $78,000-$90,000 (commensurate with experience)
Location: Denver, Colorado (On-site with some flexibility)
Languages Required: Bilingual (English/Spanish) Required
ABOUT THE GROWHAUS
The mission of The GrowHaus is to cultivate community-driven food justice through education and food access. We offer food access programming, educational opportunities for growing and cooking food, and overall wellness. We strive to be a community-driven organization, with all programs led and implemented by members of our community or others from similar neighborhoods.
The GrowHaus is in an exciting growth phase, expanding our impact through new grant-funded initiatives and strategic partnerships. We seek an experienced, executive-level leader with proven programmatic and management expertise to oversee our community-facing programs and ensure they are impactful, sustainable, and deeply responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
We strongly encourage applicants with demonstrated leadership in nonprofit program management, community development, and direct experience working with historically marginalized communities to apply. This role requires substantial program oversight experience, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of community engagement best practices. While we value diverse perspectives, this is not an entry-level or mid-level leadership position. Candidates must be able to lead multiple departments, mentor and develop program managers, execute goals effectively, and collaborate across organizational roles and functions at an executive level. If you have a strategic mindset, a hands-on leadership style, and the seasoned experience to make an impact from day one, we’d love to hear from you!
Position Overview
The Director of Community Programs and Engagement provides strategic leadership for all community-facing programs, including:
Education (youth, multigenerational, and adult programs that explore wellness through community and cultural traditions)
Food Access (distribution, food education, and community-facing engagement, excluding procurement and logistics)
Community Outreach (relationship-building, community-led promotion and recruitment for programs, health equity outreach, and advocacy)
This position works closely with the Business Operations Director to ensure strong internal systems, shared planning, and operational alignment. As part of the executive team, you'll help prepare the organization for growth and develop new workforce opportunities for community members.
You’ll also collaborate with the Development team to identify strategic partnerships, develop new program initiatives, and expand The GrowHaus’ reach and impact.
Key Responsibilities Highlights
Program Leadership & Oversight
Develop and implement a long-term strategy for education, outreach, wellness, and food access programs
Align all programs with community-identified priorities and The GrowHaus' strategic goals
Grow outreach efforts to expand program participation, promote offerings across communities, and reach new audiences
Encourage collaboration across programs to maximize impact and ensure a seamless community experience
Establish metrics and evaluation processes to assess impact, meet grant reporting requirements, and inform future programming
Work closely with Development to align programming with funding opportunities and grow key partnerships
Team Leadership & Management
Supervise and support program managers
Provide coaching, training, and leadership development to staff at multiple levels
Support managers in creating teams’ work plans, identifying growth opportunities, and building internal capacity through professional development
Foster a leadership pipeline, nurturing growth among staff and emerging community leaders
Support department leads in improving their supervisory skills and team dynamics
Oversee program budgets and ensure financial accountability across departments
Community Engagement & Partnerships
Build and maintain strong relationships with community members and programmatic partner organizations through regular check-ins and listening sessions
Represent The GrowHaus at events, coalitions, and advocacy spaces while stewarding the organization’s visibility and positioning as a leader in food justice and community-driven solutions
Ensure outreach and engagement efforts reflect equity, multilingual accessibility, and cultural responsiveness
Support Promotoras and outreach staff in growing community connections and trust
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Partner with the Business Operations Director to align operations, budgeting, and staffing with program needs
Maintain clear role distinctions while fostering collaboration and systems-level thinking
Amplify program success in partnership with the Communications and Development teams
Advance the organization’s strategic direction by providing insight and leadership that aligns with the Executive Director’s vision, including updates to the ED on community trends and program performance
Support scalability and workforce inclusion by preparing departments for growth and onboarding new community talent
Required Qualifications & Skills
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
7 years in senior nonprofit leadership, community development, or related roles
Proven success managing complex programs and multiple teams
Experience in coaching and developing managers and emerging leaders
Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income, BIPOC, and immigrant communities
Strong budgeting, grant management, and program evaluation skills
Comfortable with collaborative leadership and hands-on work alongside the community
Capable of navigating diverse stakeholder relationships with diplomacy and integrity
Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with Denver’s food justice networks and local policy landscape
Experience designing leadership development pipelines and community-run programs
Background in food systems, urban agriculture, or community health strategies
Experience designing or expanding bilingual and multicultural education programs
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $78,000 to $90,000 based on experience
Full medical benefits, PTO, sick leave, holidays, and professional development support
An opportunity to guide impactful, community-based programs with a passionate and collaborative team
How to Apply
Please email your resume, three professional references (preferably including a past supervisor and a person you have managed), and a letter of intent to hr@thegrowhaus.org with the subject line “Director of Community Programs and Engagement.”
In your letter, please highlight:
Your executive-level experience leading community programs and teams
Your connection to food justice and community-driven work
Your experience with diverse communities and high-impact initiatives
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The GrowHaus is committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We strongly encourage applicants from BIPOC, LGBTQ , immigrant, and historically marginalized communities. We welcome all backgrounds and perspectives. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please reach out. We’ll do our best to meet your needs.
Salary : $78,000 - $90,000