Executive Director, Nutrition Support Services

Chicago Public Schools • Chicago, IL

116d

About The Position

The Executive Director of Nutrition Support Services is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all aspects of CPS's school food operations. This role drives system-wide priorities to increase student meal participation, reduce food insecurity, transition to scratch cooking, and advance nutrition equity. The Executive Director ensures that CPS delivers high-quality, culturally relevant meals while managing vendor partnerships, regulatory compliance, labor relations, and multi-million-dollar operations across more than 600 school sites. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for the time worked on a salary basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Food Systems, or Business Administration is preferred.
• A Master's degree (MPH, MBA, MPA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Registered Dietitian (RD), School Nutrition Specialist (SNS), or similar credential is preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the food service industry, including the following is required:
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive responsible experience in an education food service operation and/or institutional food service background.
• Minimum of five (5) years of executive or senior-level management experience, including direct supervision of teams and oversight of labor unions, vendor contracts, and multi-site operations.
• Proven track record of leading organizational transformation, building high-performing teams, and improving service delivery in public or mission-driven environments.
• Multi-unit food service management experience.
• Experience successfully managing large, complex budgets and federal reimbursement models.
• Experience monitoring and documenting school operations performance for local, state and federal (USDA) compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Flexibility; some evenings/weekends are required.
• Routine physical activities, which may include visiting construction sites, and exposure to extreme cold and/or heat within food service facilities, are required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive across various school sites.
• Prompt, regular attendance in-person and availability to work on-site during regular business hours and as needed is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership & vision.
• Lead the district's long-term food strategy in alignment with CPS's goals on equity, whole child development, and academic achievement.
• Develop and implement multi-year plans to expand access to healthy, appealing, and culturally relevant meals across all schools.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Chief Operating Officer and executive leadership on food services, health policy, and nutrition equity.
• Drive the district's transition from pre-packaged meals to scratch and speed-scratch cooking models that emphasize quality, freshness, and student engagement.
• Oversee communication and engagement strategies with students, families, school leaders, and community organizations to elevate the student experience.
• Provide operational oversight and ensure regulatory compliance of District nutrition programs.
• Direct the district's participation in all federal and state child nutrition programs (NSLP, SBP, CEP, CACFP, SFSP), ensuring full compliance with USDA and IDHS regulations.
• Oversee health and safety protocols including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Chicago Department of Public Health inspections, and foodborne illness response.
• Collaborate with Facilities and Capital departments on design, renovation, and modernization of school kitchens, cafeterias, and commissaries.
• Establish and monitor department-wide key performance indicators (KPIs) related to compliance, meal quality, student satisfaction, and service delivery.
• Manage NSS labor agreements, vendors, and partnerships.
• Provide leadership to a complex labor environment, including coordination with union partners (e.g., SEIU Local 73), collective bargaining participation, and resolution of labor-related concerns.
• Manage all external food service management companies and procurement vendors to ensure high performance, cost efficiency, and accountability.
• Lead contract development, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement with vendors providing food, delivery logistics, technology, equipment, and compliance services.
• Foster partnerships with public agencies, foundations, local food producers, and peer school systems to promote innovation and shared learning.
• Manage NSS financial operations and continuous improvement.
• Serve as NSS financial steward, developing and managing the department's multi-million-dollar annual budget, including general funds, federal reimbursements, and capital allocations.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, revenue generation, and grant acquisition to support service improvements and sustainability initiatives.
• Analyze data and trends to inform operational decisions, forecast resource needs, and measure impact on student outcomes.
• Champion internal systems modernization efforts (e.g., POS systems, menu planning software, compliance tracking).
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree