Manager of Partner Relations (Project Management)
The Manager of Partner Relations is responsible for ensuring Food Depository partners across Cook County are equipped with the education, training, and resources needed to successfully operate in service to our mission to end hunger and to do so in solidarity with the community.
Key functions are to meaningfully engage community partners, providing the needed education, training support, and technology to safely, efficiently and equitably receive, store, sort, and distribute food, as well as to connect to other key hunger relief resources like SNAP. The Manager builds and maintains relationships with partners, giving them personalized advice, building rapport, supporting them with programmatic changes, and providing quick responses to their inquiries.
The Manager is responsible for supporting food access programs on all aspects of food distribution including program standards, food safety, client choice, customer service and food access capacity analysis across all partners.
The Manager works alongside other Partner Services & Support teams to coordinate training and content, provide excellent customer service, assist in preparation of annual site visits and audits when needed, and ensure partners have the support they need to work towards mission.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Conduct partner relationship building site visits in accordance with Food Depository/government guidelines with partners throughout Cook County to ensure partners are positioned for success in their food access programming
- Assist partners operating food access programs with the tools, resources and technical assistance needed to ensure successful operations, including accurate and timely reporting.
- Gather information on community and partner needs and ensure those needs are recorded for further analysis by the Community Impact Team.
- Create and utilize reports on partner information; track meaningful interactions and visits within the Food Depository's Client Relationship Management tool (e.g., StratusLive)
- Support partners during their food distribution activities, ensuring best practices and guest-focused programming.
- Review and monitor partner submission of various reports, ensuring accuracy and completion by partners.
- Report persistent problems to the appropriate Community Impact Team member for resolution.
- Evaluate operating hours across the partner network and develop recommendations on how new and existing partners can expand their current operations.
- Collaborate with members of the Community Impact team to support the recruitment and onboarding of new partners.
- Identify partners that would benefit from other Food Depository programming, including increasing access to public benefits, community food rescue, or additional food access programs
- Maintain strong knowledge of compliance regulations and guidelines as well as performance standards established by the Food Depository.
- Maintain consistent, professional contact and communications with partners in advance and following visits.
- Adhere to professional and ethical guidelines in all neighbor interactions.
- Support the adoption of neighbor intake tool (e.g., Link2Feed) across the partner network where applicable
- Work alongside Partner Services & Partner Training teams to manage the maintenance of accurate compliance files and training resource library, prepare records for audits by government agencies or other monitoring bodies to ensure full network compliance, track training completion, and recommend new training based on partner feedback
- Maintain strong knowledge of all programs offered within a portfolio of assigned partners, and current food access program guidelines and regulations; utilize the knowledge to make partner recommendations for staff visits, media, and funding opportunities
- In partnership with Partner Services & Partner Training teams, work with partners to quickly resolve any outstanding compliance issues to minimize partner holds and ensure continuing support for the community
- Collaborate cross-team to develop evaluation procedures, marketing and educational materials
- Become knowledgeable of the communities and surrounding communities where food programs are located
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school degree/GED plus at least 3-5 years of social service and/or program management experience.
- Competitive candidates will have strong interpersonal skills, including cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse cultures, backgrounds, and communication styles.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills required with a demonstrated ability to problem solve
- Experience building, maintaining, and strengthening partnership relationships required.
- Experience working with community organizations is required.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills required for coordination with partners and internal Food Depository staff.
- Good trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills and consistent follow-through to issue resolution.
- Ability to work independently and maintain timely schedule with minimal supervision required.
- Must have access to a working vehicle with valid insurance and possess a valid Illinois Driver's License. Ability to travel to locations throughout Cook County, up to 60-75% of work time.
- Strong Proficiency in MS Office-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, SharePoint, Outlook.
- Spanish-speaking preferred but not required.
- Preference for candidates with strong community ties to Cook County and knowledge of both the assets and challenges faced by the communities served
EXPOSURE:
- Typical office environment; exposure to warehouse environment.
- Interacts with Food Depository staff, partners, applicant organizations, donors, community leaders, volunteers, general public.
- Some evening and weekend time is required for site visits, community meetings and events, and participation in Food Depository events.
