Manager, Innovative Initiatives - Chicago, United States - Feeding America

Description

Work. Serve. Thrive.

Imagine a place where your talent can make a meaningful difference in peoples' lives. Working at Feeding America is a uniquely rewarding experience in which our employees work together as vital parts of a much larger mission. We are innovative, mission-focused, diverse, collaborative, values-driven and focused on results.

We are a national, nonprofit organization and the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, our mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Innovative Initiatives & Partnerships serves the Health Systems Innovation sub-team on the Innovative Initiatives & Partnerships Team to manage the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a range of food insecurity and healthcare partnership programs, interventions, and research projects that equitably address the short and long-term needs of people and communities facing hunger and lead to a clear and measurable impact.

This is a hybrid position based out of our Chicago office with the expectation that this person will be on-site an average of 2 days/week in addition to any mandatory trainings or meetings as required by their department, supervisor, and/or the organization. In addition, there is a frequent (20-30%) amount of travel required for the role.

Salary Range: $82,000-87,000 Based on Experience

Responsibilities:

• Manage all components of complex root cause Healthcare Partnerships research/evaluation projects, and address contingencies when needed.
• Develop and manage complex, multi-year project plans and budgets, including a multi-year Food as Medicine program.
• Partner with teams across the Research & Innovation department to develop and execute on assigned health strategies that address the needs of people and communities experiencing hunger, applying a neighbor-centered perspective and an emphasis on population health and equity.
• Provide feedback and support in team and department-level strategy development, implementation of public health strategies into team and departmental portfolios and contribute to cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Develop and facilitate training and technical assistance to the network and other stakeholders via a range of modalities, including documenting and disseminating programmatic knowledge to internal and external audiences, with a focus on food insecurity root causes in food bank and health systems settings.
• Manage Network needs connected to health projects, especially around developing novel approaches that seek to improve key outcomes, build capacity, and inform continuous learning across the network.
• Support the development of proposals and project plans for fundraising opportunities.
• Develop strong interdepartmental working relationships that support the effective implementation and evaluation of team and departmental strategies.
• Collaborate with the Research & Innovation department, as well as other stakeholders, to support the evidence building, translation, and dissemination of novel models, programs, and partnerships that innovatively and equitably address the intersection of the root causes of food insecurity.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with national partners and stakeholders and engage partners to act in addressing the drivers of food insecurity.
• Respond to network requests for information on the national office's Research & Innovation strategy and programs.
• Represent Feeding America by serving on national and interdepartmental committees and task forces, and at internal and external engagements.

Foundational Requirements:

• Mission Focused- Demonstrates a commitment to Feeding America's mission through work and action. Is committed to people keep people facing hunger at the center of our work and strives to translate this commitment into action on a daily basis. Willing to advocate for people facing hunger and serve as an ambassador for Feeding America inside and outside of work.
• Embraces Equity, Diversity and Inclusion- Demonstrates a personal commitment to valuing different background and life experiences through word and action. Takes personal actions to build an inclusive culture that ensures everyone can fully contribute based on their unique talents, skills and perspectives and feels welcomed and valued. Commits to driving equitable solutions to address root cause issues by incorporating an equity framework in their daily work. Committed to continuous personal EDI development.

Required Leadership Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively: Conveys clear and effective messages using verbal and written communication within individual, small group, and formal presentation settings. Communicates project/operating priorities and updates to key stakeholder audiences that may include staff, network food bank members, donors, and other groups. Responds positively to requests to share information while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive content. Adjusts message and content based on feedback provided.
• Operates with Integrity: Builds trust by consistently operating with honesty, openness, and authenticity. Anchors actions and decisions in our mission. Consistently treats others with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect. Demonstrates courage of convictions while respecting the views of others. Supports organization/department decisions in words and actions. Openly takes responsibility for mistakes, corrects them, and apologizes when appropriate and necessary.
• Collaborates Internally & Externally:Forms and sustains effective working relationships that accelerate goal achievement by reaching out to and engaging people from other functions or from outside the organization. Coordinates projects and plans with others within and outside of own area to ensure the work goes smoothly. Pursues networking opportunities and encourages others to form new relationships that benefit all parties. Handles conflict directly and adeptly, respecting all points of view, and resolves issues to create a united path forward.
• Continuously Improves:Develops solutions that incorporate new ideas and best practices from other departments or outside the organization. Leverages continuous improvement tools and mindset when designing and implementing projects and processes. Shares and applies learning from both successful and unsuccessful ideas to inspire creative thinking.

Required Technical Competencies and Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in health equity, nutrition, health systems, or community-based settings with focus on interventions that address root causes of food insecurity is preferred.
• 5+ years of results-based management experience leading complex, innovative, and multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth is preferred.
• Education in public health, nutrition, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong commitment to and practical knowledge of addressing social/systemic barriers to advancing programs, partnerships, and initiatives as necessary mechanisms to catalyze food systems change.
• Strong desire to develop and test new systems, new ways of thinking, and innovative approaches to addressing food insecurity.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically as part of a team and within broad coalitions; leading working groups and committees.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, verbal / written communication, and technology (MS Office, etc.) skills.