Director of Community Nutrition Programs

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK•Geneva, IL

1d•$78,310 - $83,205•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Community Nutrition Programs will develop the vision and drive the strategy for Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Community Nutrition Programs. This role bridges the gap between high-level public health strategy and the tactical execution of federal programs, healthcare partnerships and nutrition education. This includes oversight over Child Nutrition Programs including CACFP and SFSP, Backpack, Family Mobile Markets, Summer Family Fresh Market, Nutrition Education programs, and Build Healthy Communities. The CNP Director will also ensure regulatory compliance of programs, policies, procedures and budgeting. The Director serves as a key architect of the Food Bank’s community health impact, ensuring all programs are scalable, compliant, and deeply integrated into the strategic plan for Northern Illinois Food Bank and the 13 counties it serves.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required; advanced degrees or professional credentials in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related area preferred.
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience, including demonstrated success managing teams, complex program portfolios, budgets, and compliance-driven operations.
Direct experience with USDA and other federal nutrition programs (including CACFP and SFSP) and a strong understanding of state and federal regulatory environments.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to use data to inform strategy, guide operational decisions, and communicate impact through clear storytelling.
Deep knowledge of the social determinants of health and the intersection of food insecurity, nutrition, and chronic disease.
Must have dependable transportation and ability and flexibility to drive long distances(e.g., to Rockford, IL), as needed.

Nice To Haves

advanced degrees or professional credentials in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related area preferred.
Bilingual Spanish language skills are a significant asset.

Responsibilities

Develop, guide, and implement the strategic roadmap for Community Nutrition Programs in alignment with the Food Bank’s Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision.
Lead the growth and expansion of innovative initiatives, including the Food as Medicine strategy and related community health models.
Serve as a regional thought leader and organizational spokesperson on nutrition, public health, and food access, representing the Food Bank in public health forums, government relations efforts, and Feeding America networks.
Oversee the design, implementation, and management of data-driven evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness, long-term outcomes, and community impact.
Provide executive oversight of Child Nutrition Programs, ensuring full regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and adherence to federal and state requirements.
Manage departmental budgets and resources, ensuring efficient and effective allocation across staffing, food, logistics, and program operations.
Directly supervise, coach, and develop a diverse team of program managers, specialists, and coordinators, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, equity, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with Regional Impact Teams and cross-functional partners to identify, onboard, and support new program sites and community partners, ensuring equitable access across the service area.
Lead and strengthen healthcare partnerships through initiatives such as Build Healthy Communities, including Rx Mobile Markets, Screen & Intervene, and hospital-based food pantry programs, by integrating nutrition support into clinical workflows.
Partner with the Development team to provide programmatic expertise for grant proposals, funding applications, and donor impact reporting to support sustainability and growth.
Standardize, deploy, and oversee nutrition education and community wellness curricula, including the Whole Body Approach, ensuring consistent, high-quality implementation across all service areas.
Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.