Director of Neighbor Programs

Job Summary

Are you ready to lead with purpose and shape programs that connect children and other neighbors to nutritious food? As the Director of Neighbor Programs II, you will direct the Food for Kids and Food for Health programs, overseeing program strategy, budgets, food coordination, compliance, reimbursement and grant-related activities. You will guide staff, strengthen internal and community partnerships, maintain accurate and audit-ready records and help ensure services operate safely, consistently and responsively. What success looks like in the first 6–12 months: establish clear program priorities and budgets, maintain reliable food distribution and reimbursement processes, strengthen compliance and monitoring practices, support and develop staff and build productive relationships that advance program outcomes.

Decision Rights

- Owns program plans, budgets, expense approvals, documentation approval, reimbursement claims, site monitoring expectations and staff work assignments.

- Influences meal program expansion, funding proposals, inventory projections, community relationships and priorities across connected functions.

- Escalates compliance risks, funding concerns, policy questions, major distribution issues and matters needing officer or Human Resources review.

Day in the Life

Administration

- Develop multiyear program plans and budgets to guide decisions and keep services reliable over time.

- Monitor progress and budgets so projections match results and needed adjustments protect program commitments.

- Review and submit monthly federal reimbursement claims to recover eligible funds and sustain program operations.

- Track expenses, card use, statements and invoices so financial records stay accurate and ready for payment.

- Oversee grants and objectives so funding, applications and assigned work stay aligned with program goals.

- Give final approval for program documentation so records are complete, accurate and ready for reporting or review.

- Work with the Development team on funding proposals and track outcomes for accurate grant reporting.

Food Coordination

- Establish food quantities for programs so sites receive enough product without creating unnecessary waste.

- Monitor records, storage and distribution to maintain accuracy, food safety and dependable program delivery.

- Ensure federal program menus meet healthy meal requirements so children receive meals that satisfy program standards.

- Oversee federal program implementation so required processes stay consistent across sites and service models.

- Ensure federal requirements are met to reduce compliance risk and protect continued program participation.

- Monitor projected versus actual quantities to identify gaps early and adjust ordering or distribution plans.

Partnership with Operations

- Oversee department interactions with Hopes Kitchen and Help Desk to keep program service coordinated and responsive.

- Assist with planning and budgeting for Operations meal program expansion so growth remains practical and funded.

- Provide purchase and inventory projections so programs have quantities when and where they are required.

Program Monitoring and Compliance

- Develop the strategic vision and implementation framework for Food for Kids and Food for Health so priorities, actions and results stay aligned.

- Coordinate staff monitoring of federal program sites to verify requirements are followed in daily operations.

- Ensure program and federal guidelines are met to protect funding, consistency and public trust.

- Ensure all Oklahoma State Department of Education monitoring requirements are met to maintain state compliance.

- Ensure each federal program site completes required paperwork so records stay audit-ready and reimbursement remains valid.

Community Engagement

- Engage in community, state and national settings to represent program needs and identify useful opportunities.

- Work with external groups focused on poverty alleviation and food insecurity to extend program reach.

- Address distribution issues to reduce delays and keep food moving to the intended locations.

- Meet with community groups, donors and corporate partners as needed to maintain informed, respectful relationships.

- Help tell neighbor and partner stories so program experiences are documented clearly and respectfully.

- Take part in site visits with funders, legislators and community partners to provide direct program context.

- Take part in forums, commissions, workgroups and civic forums to address disparities related to health and childrens populations.

Staff Development

- Maintain current job descriptions that reflect actual work, accountability and required competencies.

- Translate organizational values into daily behaviors, outcomes and performance expectations.

- Ensure employees deliver respectful, inclusive and high-quality service to partners and neighbors.

- Oversee Food for Kids and Food for Health work and assign responsibilities to managers and staff.

Leadership Responsibilities

Oversee between four and six staff members, including managers, staff and interns.

- Establish departmental priorities and performance standards aligned with organizational mission, strategy and operational goals.

- Develop managers and staff through consistent coaching, clear expectations and reliable performance management practices.

- Convert organizational and functional strategy into execution by setting goals, assigning resources and guiding change initiatives.

- Monitor departmental outcomes and risk by reviewing results, identifying systemic issues and implementing improvement actions.

- Oversee equitable workforce practices, including hiring approaches, role design, engagement efforts and retention strategies within funding requirements.

- Align department work across the organization by resolving cross-functional issues and clarifying roles, authority and accountability.

- Ensure departmental stewardship and accountability by applying policies, legal requirements and funding rules with Human Resources involvement.

- Reinforce a high-performing, value-aligned culture by modeling standards, setting expectations and holding managers accountable.

- Derive and examine data insights to inform departmental strategy, monitor trends and drive evidence-based decisions.

- Create, manage and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring resource allocation aligns with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

How You Have Spent Your Time

- Demonstrated completion of a bachelors degree in public health, nutrition, social services, public administration, business administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant professional experience.

- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience managing community-based, nutrition, public service or federally funded programs.

- Minimum of three years of experience supervising employees, assigning work and monitoring performance in an operating environment.

- Experience managing budgets, reviewing expenses and maintaining accurate records for reimbursement, grant or program reporting.

- Experience applying program requirements, policies or regulations and maintaining documentation for monitoring, audit or compliance review.

- Experience in data collection and analysis.

Other Requirements

- Proficiency in common office applications, including email, messaging, word processing and spreadsheets, and job-specific systems such as financial, inventory or customer relationship management systems.

- Valid drivers license with a driving record that meets organizational standards.

- Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.

- Ability to complete a background check, motor vehicle record review, drug screening and physical assessment as required for the role.

Safety Sensitive Designation:

This position is classified as Safety Sensitive under Oklahoma law. Employees in safety sensitive roles perform duties where even a momentary lapse in concentration could result in injury to themselves, others or cause environmental harm. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is not permitted to hire applicants who hold a medical marijuana card for safety sensitive positions, in compliance with state law.

Preferred Qualifications

How You Have Spent Your Time

- Demonstrated completion of a masters degree in public health, nutrition, public administration, social work, business administration or a related field.

- Experience working with child nutrition, summer feeding, food access or other community-based nutrition programs.

- Experience with federal or state reimbursement processes, grant-funded programs or monitoring by a regulatory agency.

- Experience using inventory, meal tracking or program reporting systems in a multisite environment.

- Experience with grant writing for state or federal programs.

Physical & Environmental Expectations

Work is primarily performed in an environmentally controlled office or vehicle setting. The position requires maintaining a stationary position for extended periods, operating a vehicle safely, using office equipment, exchanging information in person or through communication devices and maintaining concentration during detailed or safety-related tasks. The role occasionally involves moving objects weighing up to 10 pounds, adjusting position to access work areas or vehicles and wearing personal protective equipment when required. Travel of up to 50% may be required for meetings, training or assignments, typically allowing return home nightly. Scheduled participation in a rotating on-call program and occasional work outside the regular schedule may be required based on operational needs.

EEO & Accommodation Statement

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, it is the policy of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] .