Lifetime Network Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description:

The Director of Network Development provides strategic leadership for the San Antonio Food Bank's community partner network across its 29-county service area, including the Partner Agency Network of food pantries and other community-based distribution partners. This role is responsible for strengthening, growing, and stewarding a high-performing network of nonprofit and community partners to ensure equitable food access and responsive distribution that meets neighbor needs.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Neighbor Services & Community Programs, the Director oversees network strategy, agency engagement, compliance, capacity building, and performance management in alignment with Feeding America, Feeding Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, SAFB, and applicable funding regulations.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong program management, operational discipline, and relationship-building skills. The ideal candidate brings strategic thinking paired with attention to detail, strong emotional intelligence, and the ability to translate data into actionable strategies that strengthen community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Network Strategy & Growth

• Lead the development and ongoing strengthening of SAFB's community partner distribution network, including the Partner Agency Network, to ensure equitable food access across the 29-county region.
• Use data and community insights to identify service gaps and guide agency recruitment, capacity building, and resource allocation.
• Align network strategy with organizational priorities and SAFB's Food for Today to Food for a Lifetime framework.

Partner Engagement & Performance

• Oversee agency onboarding, ordering, monitoring, correspondence, and performance management.
• Assess agency eligibility and allocate food resources based on community need and network standards.
• Develop and implement a Network Engagement Plan, including facilitation of the Partner Agency Committee (PAC), to strengthen collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Address partner concerns and network challenges with professionalism and a solutions-oriented approach.

Compliance, Training & Communication

• Ensure network compliance with Feeding America, Feeding Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, and applicable funding requirements.
• Develop and implement a Network Training Plan to ensure consistent standards, processes, and guidance for partner agencies.
• Lead development of a Network Communication Plan, including web-based tools and information-sharing platforms that support agencies with updates and best practices.

Program Oversight

• Provide strategic and operational oversight for distribution programs, ensuring efficient, equitable, and compliant service delivery.
• Monitor program performance, budgets, and operational metrics to ensure strong community impact and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Align distribution programs with community partner network strategy to maximize reach, strengthen community partnerships, and minimize service duplication.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner across departments to ensure underserved communities are connected to appropriate programs and resources.
• Collaborate with sourcing and procurement teams to align food supply with community needs and partner capacity.
• Contribute to strategic planning and continuous process improvement in partnership with the EVP.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team; hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and strong community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit programs, community engagement, public affairs, or related fields, with at least 5 years managing staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing community-based programs and service delivery initiatives.
• Proven ability to develop and expand programs and translate strategy into operational results.
• Experience managing program budgets and monitoring performance using data and metrics.
• Strong relationship builder with experience developing partnerships across nonprofit, government, healthcare, education, or community organizations.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and ability to represent the organization professionally in community settings.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of federal nutrition programs, food distribution systems, or the Feeding America network preferred; familiarity with the Southwest Texas nonprofit community a plus.
• Possession of a current Texas driver's license, liability insurance, and a clean driving record.
• Reliable transportation.

Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, reach, and utilize fine manipulation and near visual acuity. The employee is frequently required to walk, utilize gross manipulation, push, pull, stoop, and keyboard. The employee must occasionally lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

This job is performed in an indoor environment and occasionally may require attendance at outdoor events. You may be required to drive to various locations with varying conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.