Senior Manager of Educational Services en Houston Food Bank

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager of Educational Services oversees all aspects of program operations, compliance, and data management for either the Kid’s Café or School Programs. This role ensures audit readiness, drives procedural improvements, and leads software and reporting system implementation to support efficient program delivery. The Senior Manager supervises program administrative teams and collaborates closely with other senior managers to align strategy, logistics, and compliance across departments. A key leader in advancing Houston Food Bank’s Food for Change initiatives, this position plays a vital role in building cross-functional coordination and ensuring high-impact service delivery.

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly). 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Leads the development, implementation, and cross-departmental integration of program processes, procedures, and compliance strategies for Kid’s Café or School Programs.
2. Oversees the management and strategic use of program data, including coordination with IT, Data, and program staff to maintain accurate reporting systems, dashboards, and audit readiness.
3.  Identifies and guides technology needs, manages software platform development and implementation, and ensures appropriate training for staff on new systems and tools.
4. Supervises program administrative teams and collaborates with other senior managers on staffing, budgeting, and overall program direction and strategy.
5. Actively partners with other senior managers to align efforts, support cross-functional projects, and strengthen department-wide collaboration.
6. Manages all aspects of compliance with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Feeding America, and other regulatory bodies—including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
7. Leads site recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring efficient, partner-friendly application processes while maintaining strong community partnerships.
8. Serves as the primary liaison with TDA, responsible for maintaining accurate and timely information in TXUNPS, managing claims, and ensuring program integrity.
9. Collaborates with Procurement, Warehouse, and Transportation teams to secure appropriate products and ensures effective distribution of meals and supplies.
10. Develops and supports audit-readiness plans, monitors regulatory changes, and leads onsite audit support alongside program staff.
11. Provides leadership in cross-functional planning, including inter- and intra-departmental work plan alignment, data integration, and collaborative reporting.
12. Creates and oversees departmental metrics and impact reporting in coordination with IT and program teams.
13. Ensures financial integrity and adherence to procurement policies for TDA-funded programs and other grants.
14. Leads and supports a team of two or more reports through collaborative coaching, performance development, and clear role alignment. Fosters a team culture of shared learning and accountability across program areas.
15. Actively contributes to organizational leadership teams, provides upward and downward communication, and participates in agency-wide initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages two (2) or more direct reports by providing guidance and/or oversight to employees and/or contractors. Develops and maintains roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Practices performance management in support of employee development, and performs administrative duties associated with being a people manager. Responsibilities include interviewing, planning, assigning, directing work, and resolving problems. Responsibilities also include sponsoring and participating in and/or supporting project teams sponsored by other management team members.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required, master’s degree preferred 
• 3+ years of experience in leadership program management, and coordination required
• 3+ years of supervisory/managing teams experience required 
• 3+ years working in community organizations preferred 
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred 

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Ability to meet and work with diverse populations and the general public
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage, influence, and collaborate effectively across departments and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and psychologically safe work culture for team members.
• Strategic and adaptable leader with sound judgment, skilled in managing change and driving results in dynamic environments.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects, balance multiple priorities, and navigate complex issues with professionalism and empathy.
• Effective in presenting complex information clearly and comfortably to all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to be an action-oriented and results-driven leader, with a natural aptitude for engaging others across multiple workgroups
• Ability to build and facilitate relationships at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), state and federal laws, and HFB policies.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES:

Business Insight / Instills Trust / Drives Engagement / Optimizes Work Processes / Directs Work / Composure / Manages Ambiguity / Communicates Effectively / Organizational Savvy / Decision Quality / Manages Conflict / Presentation Skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift 10 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The employee must occasionally travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be occasionally exposed to loud noise levels (e.g., horns, fans).

TRAVEL REQUIRED: 

Travel is required for this position (up to 10% of the time and on a domestic basis within our 18-county service area). 

This role supports hours of operations at HFB facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.