Regional Program Director, Western

Overall purpose of the position:  Under the supervision of the Senior Director, Regional Programs, the Regional Program Director, Western is responsible for leading the Maryland Food Bank’s (MFB) regional anti-hunger programs and solutions for the Western Region. Incumbent will also assist with or lead special projects relating to the MFB strategic plan. This position is responsible for managing relationships with MFB partner agencies and community organizations in the Western Region, and developing strategic approaches to meet community needs, including helping to build solutions to address the root causes of hunger.

Education and Experience:  Four-year degree in a related area or equivalent combination of education and experience strongly preferred. At least five (5) years of experience in project management, strategic planning, and/or customer service, plus three (3) years leadership experience.

Proficient in Microsoft Office. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including developing and delivering presentations. Goal oriented with a strategic mindset and ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously. Experience in project management from initiating and planning to executing, tracking, and following up on issues and reporting. Proven success in leading the development and implementation of process improvements. Excellent interpersonal, networking and problem solving skills. Strong customer focus. Proven success in managing nd motivating others. Demonstrated experience working with spreadsheets, gathering and analyzing data for information, developing trategic plans and supporting decision making.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position will provide indirect leadership of all MFB activity within the Western Region, and direct leadership of a volunteer Front Desk Administrator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management and Strategy:  Lead efforts to manage, support, and strengthen partner relationships and capacity within the Western Region. Use data to determine strategic food distribution goals and areas of unmet need. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to build partner and program capacity, identify gaps and recommend solutions. Manage ongoing communication with partners through regular visits, email and calls. Work collaboratively with the other Regional Program Directors, Regional Program Coordinators, and coordinators of MFB’s other programs (Pantry on the Go, School Pantry, TEFAP, Mobile Market, etc.) to build strategic programming and increase food distribution to underserved areas of the region.

Work to deepen network capacity by recruiting and evaluating prospective new partnerships for their alignment with strategic goals and servicing need. Develop a deep understanding of the root causes of hunger in the region and help to build programming and strategic partnerships focused on pathways out of hunger. Inform partners of available resources and determine appropriate distribution to ensure efficient use of resources. Monitor the use of those resources and conduct follow up when necessary. Perform compliance-related activities including site visits and audits to ensure that required monitoring and other operating guidelines, and regulations are followed as per the requirements of MFB,  Feeding America, and other governing bodies.

Communication: As the regional expert on food insecurity and food programming within the Western Region, provide the VP, Regional Programs, the Chief Program Officer, and other internal stakeholders with regular communication pertaining the needs and issues of partners and communities in the region. Work closely with External Affairs to promote the MFB mission and brand and promote an expanding set of MFB programs, products and services.

 Community Outreach and Relationship Building: Represent MFB within the Western Region. Attend community meetings, forums, and coalitions that support MFB’s mission. Develop and encourage resource building and sharing in individual communities, through regional councils, civic meetings, and MFB-facilitated convenings. Develop cooperative partnerships with other local organizations to better serve the region and its needs.

Special Projects: Assist with or lead special projects relating to the MFB strategic plan, as required.

Essential Working Conditions

 Work Environment

The employee will carry out some of the job duties from a professional office environment with little fluctuation in temperatures and low noise but may carry out some of the job duties at partner sites. For these offsite duties, the employee travels by automobile and will be exposed to changing weather and noise conditions. Offsite duties will require employee to drive throughout Maryland counties for meetings and/or visits to various sites.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.

Travel

Significant local travel of 3-4 days per week is expected to successfully perform this role.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling has been moderately reduced. During activities and events requiring the need to travel, safety measures (social distancing and mask wearing) must be adhered to for all occasions.