The Regional Director will report to the Senior Program Director and work closely with the Executive Leadership team overseeing Partnerships and Fundraising. This person will also collaborate with the Logistics team and other Regional Directors to develop, implement, and manage food programs that support our organization’s mission. Beyond program execution, the Director will play an active role in cultivating funder relationships, representing Food Connect in high-level coalition spaces, and contributing to the region’s fundraising strategy.

The role is based in Newark, NJ and will require regular on-the-ground community engagement in the Greater Newark area. This individual must be a self-starter with proven experience establishing footholds in new markets, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and building small, high-performing teams.

‍

‍What Sets This Role Apart:

‍This is a new-market launch role. Unlike our established regions, you will be building from the ground up: identifying the right partners, earning a seat at community tables, and creating the playbook for how Food Connect operates in the Greater Newark area. We need someone who brings existing relationships or deep familiarity with the Newark food system, local government, and nonprofit ecosystem. The ideal candidate is already known and respected in these spaces.

‍

Community Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as Food Connect’s primary representative in the Greater Newark area, building and maintaining relationships with community-based organizations, government agencies, elected officials, and institutional stakeholders.
• Participate in and contribute to local coalitions, roundtables, advisory groups, and professional convenings where Food Connect’s voice and strategy need to be present.
• Navigate the region’s political and organizational dynamics to position Food Connect as a trusted, long-term partner in the local food system.
• Build trust with community leaders and gatekeepers who influence access and collaboration in the Newark area.

Program Management

• Oversee and manage programs and projects in the region, ensuring alignment with Food Connect’s strategic plan and mission.
• Provide high-level oversight of program operations in collaboration with the Logistics and Operations teams.
• Develop budgets, timelines, and evaluation plans in collaboration with the Executive team.
• Lead evaluation efforts to measure program effectiveness; develop and share impact reports with support from the Data Analyst.
• Lead regular meetings with partner organizations; share recaps and action items as needed.
• Manage program contracts, renewals, invoices, and program records.
• Create donor stewardship plans to sustain surplus food donation streams.

Partnership Development

• Research and build a pipeline of target program and partnership prospects in the Greater Newark area.
• Conduct outreach and follow-ups to engage new food donors, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders.
• Onboard new partners and programs into daily operations.
• Collaborate with other Regional Directors and the National Partnerships team on shared goals and cross-regional initiatives.
• Regional Growth and Fundraising
• Develop and execute a multi-year regional growth strategy for the Greater Newark area.
• Analyze local food rescue trends and food-as-medicine strategies to identify growth opportunities.
• Cultivate relationships with local and regional funders, philanthropic organizations, and government funding sources in partnership with the Development team.
• Actively identify new funding opportunities and support stewardship of current funders through relationship building and impact reporting.
• Align regional strategy with national fundraising activities to ensure program sustainability.
• Implement food donor outreach plans and track performance against goals.

Cross-Regional Leadership

• Contribute to organizational strategy alongside other Regional Directors, sharing insights and best practices across markets.
• Support the onboarding and mentorship of new regional staff as Food Connect expands into additional markets.
• Provide input on operational and programmatic improvements based on on-the-ground experience in the region.

‍

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit program management, community development, food systems, public health, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building programs or partnerships in new or emerging markets.
• Existing relationships or deep familiarity with the Greater Newark nonprofit, government, or food system ecosystem strongly preferred.
• Track record of representing an organization in coalition spaces, advisory groups, or government convenings.
• Experience with fundraising, donor cultivation, or funder stewardship (grant writing not required; relational fundraising is the priority).
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in fields like Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, or related areas.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and can drive progress independently.
• Comfortable with technology; proficient in Google Suite and project management tools (e.g., Asana).
• Passionate about food justice, community health, and making a measurable impact.

• Paid Vacation Leave – 10 days/year (after 3 months)
• Paid Sick Leave – 5 days/year (after 3 months)
• Paid Birthday and Work Anniversary Leave
• 12 Paid U.S. Holidays annually
• 4-week paid sabbatical after 5 years
• 401(k)
• Healthcare benefits
• Work-from-home flexibility with occasional in-person meetings
• Flex-time available
• Supportive, high-performing team culture that values work-life balance