Program Director - OneKitchen

Wholesome Wave is a national non-profit addressing nutrition insecurity by making healthy produce available and affordable for the people who need it most. We work with food retailers, farmer’s markets, health centers, healthcare systems, and grassroots community-based partners to ensure that poverty is not a barrier to choosing fruits and vegetables. Wholesome Wave was co-founded in 2007 by Chef Michel Nischan and the late Gus Schumacher. Together, they built a nutrition incentive movement that resulted in $250M in federal funding to help low-income families double their SNAP benefits for fruits and vegetables.

Wholesome Wave has a 17-year history of innovating programs that increase affordability and access to healthier foods to address health disparities in low income rural, urban, and tribal communities. Wholesome Wave is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Bridgeport CT, with an office in Washington DC. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse operating team and Board of Directors.

Position Overview

OneKitchen is designed to organize, educate, and mobilize chefs as changemakers in their communities. We create Kitchen Collaborative (KC) cohorts of chefs in communities across the U.S. to foster local partnerships and advocacy efforts, driving sustainable food systems change both locally and nationally.

The OneKitchen Program Director oversees the national growth and impact of the OneKitchen program. This dynamic leader will manage multiple KCs, supervise local Kitchen Managers from each KC location, and maintain key partnerships with local Action Partners and stakeholders. The Program Director will track program KPIs, report progress to Wholesome Wave leadership, and strategize to expand OneKitchen’s footprint and impact. This position requires a strong background in event or program management, nonprofit operations, or familiarity with the food industry.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management and Strategic Growth

• Oversee the implementation and scaling of Kitchen Collaboratives, ensuring alignment with OneKitchen’s mission and goals.
• Supervise and provide support to local Kitchen Managers, offering strategic direction and problem-solving guidance.
• Collaborate with Wholesome Wave leadership to refine and execute long-term strategies for program growth and sustainability.
• Create and manage OneKitchen newsletter for all Chef Members.

Team Leadership and Support

• Oversee the OneKitchen network of Kitchen Managers, onboarding each and supporting the launch of their KC.
• Guide Kitchen Managers in their efforts to engage Chef Members, build Steering Committees, execute fundraising events, and meet program objectives.
• Travel to each KC location for their local launch and key strategy meetings as needed.
• Lead the development of the OneKitchen mentorship and training program to address the needs of Chef Members and Kitchen Managers.
• Set up and facilitate digital and in-person learning experiences, including webinars, office hours, and training sessions led by Wholesome Wave leadership and external experts.

National OneKitchen Convening Coordination

• Plan and execute the annual OneKitchen Convening, bringing together Chef Members, Kitchen Managers, Action Partners, and key stakeholders.
• Incorporate expert speakers and panelists to inspire and educate attendees on food systems, advocacy, and culinary innovation.
• Manage event follow-up, including feedback collection, reporting, and integration of insights into program planning.

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

• Oversee execution on goals with local Action Partners, ensuring impactful collaborations that align with community needs and OneKitchen objectives.
• Facilitate engagement with the OneKitchen Advisory Council, coordinating meetings, agendas, and feedback integration.
• Act as a primary point of contact for Kitchen Managers, Action Partners, and Wholesome Wave leadership, building strong relationships and fostering program participation.
• Manage agency partners and internal teams in the design and production of training materials, ensuring alignment with program goals.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Track, analyze, and report on program KPIs to measure impact, identify areas for improvement, and inform strategic adjustments.
• Deliver quarterly updates to the Wholesome Wave Board and progress summaries to funders and other stakeholders.
• Lead the development and administration of surveys and interviews to capture feedback from Chef Members and Action Partners, and a national field scan of the culinary community to determine what issues beyond nutrition insecurity to address.

Budget and Resource Management

• Oversee the OneKitchen program budget, ensuring efficient and impactful allocation of resources.
• Collaborate with the Wholesome Wave development team to identify funding opportunities and support grant applications.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., marketing, nonprofit management, public health, food systems, or related disciplines).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in event planning, program management or marketing and communications.
• Familiarity with the food industry and a track record working or collaborating with chefs.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and teams across different locations.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Experience managing budgets and tracking program impact through KPIs or other metrics.

Preferred

• Experience working in a nonprofit environment.
• Basic graphic design skills.
• Background in advocacy or community engagement, whether paid or volunteer.
• Knowledge of SNAP, food policy, or similar programs focused on food and nutrition security.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with a proven track record of program execution and scaling.
• Data-driven mindset, with the ability to track, evaluate, and adapt programs based on outcomes and stakeholder feedback.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

Working Conditions

• Full-time office hours.
• Hybrid work environment requiring three days per week in the Bridgeport, CT, or Washington, D.C., office.
• Travel up to 20% for site visits, program events, and meetings with stakeholders.
• Full benefits, including dental, vision, and health, with holidays and PTO.

Leadership and Transition

• The program is currently managed by an Interim Program Director who is overseeing the initial pilot launch and will support the onboarding and training of the full-time Program Director.

How To Apply

Submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and vision for the role, and three professional references to opportunities@wholesomewave.org. Applications will be accepted through February 3, 2025.

this position is: salaried, 75k-100k

job can be done remotely

Email: opportunities@wholesomewave.org

Submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and vision for the role, and three professional references to opportunities@wholesomewave.org. 

February 03, 2025