Director, Food Initiative for United Way for Southeastern Michigan

There is no deadline for this position, it’s open until filled.

Position Title: Director, Food Initiative

Reporting To: Vice President Community Investments

Basic Needs & Financial Stability Impact Areas

Location: Detroit, Michigan

The Company: United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Position: The Director, Food Initiative is a new position that was created as a part of the agenda for change’s basic needs strategy to help address the overwhelming demand for food and a desire to help bring about lasting change to support this issue.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the Food Initiative within the broad context of the regional and national landscape.
• Build community and partner relationships to enhance UWSEM’s reach within the private sector, nonprofit organizations, labor community and individuals engaged in hunger efforts – to collaboratively improve food systems and access to food for food insecure populations in the region.
• Work with the VP of Public Policy to support national policies to expand access to food for vulnerable populations, including state and federal regulations and laws that aim to reduce domestic hunger.
• Be the primary representative for the Food Initiative with respect to media relations, by participating in interviews and all other media type engagements.
• Work with Fund Development team to ensure there are sustainable resource developments and fund development activities.
• Create a clear and concise message telling the Initiative’s story.
• Further develop and execute strategic plan, revenue generation and public policy efforts related to the food work.
• Manage overall program operations including a cross-functional team of staff. 

Critical Skill and Experience:

• Ability to advocate for advancing the established goals of the Food Initiative.
• Experience in program transformation or reform with measurable outcomes.
• Have strategic and political skills to position UWSEM as a leading authority on the overall food crisis in Southeast Michigan.
• Ability to work effectively with a strong board of industry experts.
• Thinks long term, stretching horizons and challenging imaginations to develop an image of how United Way and the community should work, creating a vision that captures minds and energizes others to commit to the vision.
• Experience on various governing boards or with governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of issues around access to food and food systems development would be beneficial.
• Ability to listen well, draw out people’s interests and concerns, communicate and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Build strategic partnerships with external providers to improve the range and effectiveness of the food delivery system.
• Ability to manage people around an issue to meet the strategic goals of the work.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of ten years of total experience is required. Experience in nonprofit or a comparable field would be beneficial.  Additionally, experience in public policy and/or food systems development is also desired.
• A BA/BS in business, public policy or related field.  An advanced degree in government affairs, law, political science, public policy, social work or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leadership and partnership development, as well as effectively leading community change and growth.
• The ability to conduct fund development, as well as experience in marketing and public relations to successfully engage stakeholders, including foundations, business partners, policy makers, media and communities.
• Significant state and/or federal government issue advocacy, or legislative experience is critical.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, ease in public speaking, enthusiasm and excitement to publicly represent UWSEM and the food work is an important part of this position.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate personal qualities that include integrity, commitment to UWSEM's mission with regard to the food work and the ability to inspire and motivate.