The Organization – Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Organizational Background
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (CPFB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and food insecurity in central Pennsylvania. CPFB serves as a vital link between the food industry and those in need, distributing millions of pounds of food to individuals and families through a network of partner agencies. The organization is committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and promoting equity in access to nutritious food.
Position Overview
CPFB’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Hunger disproportionately harms neighbors and communities that have been systemically marginalized. As CPFB works toward a future where no one in central Pennsylvania lives with hunger, we must also work against racism and other systemic obstacles that prevent people from thriving. CPFB will listen to and learn from members of historically under-represented groups. CPFB will value their lived expertise and experiences as we shape our charitable food network to equitably meet the needs of our neighbors. CPFB will ensure that our diverse community is reflected in our board of directors, management, staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and donors in a manner that upholds equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Position Summary
The Senior Vice President/Chief Equity Officer is responsible for providing leadership and expertise in leveraging, refining, implementing, and executing the organization’s equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) strategic plan. The Senior Vice President/Chief Equity Officer will guide the Food Bank’s commitment and strategy to be a diverse, anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive organization. The Senior Vice President/Chief Equity Officer will demonstrate diplomacy and strategy in developing and maintaining relationships and will work across the organization, as well as with internal teams and collaborators to support the EDIB strategic plan. This position requires an inspiring, passionate, collaborative, courageous, innovative, and visionary leader that demonstrates outstanding people and management skills. The Senior Vice President/Chief Equity Officer is a member of the organization’s Executive Team that is building a caring workplace community that centers our neighbors in need.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a key driver of the Food Bank’s EDIB strategic initiatives. Ensure that the EDIB plan will be embedded into the culture of the Food Bank through our systems, behaviors, processes, and practices, motivating and coaching teams.
- Ensure EDIB plan will advance outcomes across communities and populations disproportionately impacted by food insecurity.
- Provide leadership to the internal EDIB Action Team and sub-committees, aligning the work of the team to our longer-term equity plan, strategic plan, and mission. Partner with Action Team Chair, Co-Chairs, and sub-committees to guide this work.
- Lead the development and execution of a plan to engage our Partner Agencies on our EDIB journey to ensure that our EDIB learnings translate to equitable service for our neighbors facing hunger.
- Cultivate and develop equitable and inclusive working relationships with board, staff, volunteers, community partners, vendors, and applicants.
- Build knowledge, skills, and competencies around EDIB for staff, Board, and other appropriate parties connected to the work of the Food Bank.
- Collaborate with Human Resources to assess potential barriers and develop strategies focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
- Work closely with Human Resources on organizational policies, programs, trainings, and practices to strengthen internal culture in support of EDIB work.
- In partnership with Human Resources, increase positive relationships with outside stakeholders to discover opportunities to create a positive, diverse, work culture.
- Monitor and measure existing EDIB metrics for departments and functions and identify opportunities to make informed decisions and reporting purposes.
- Maintain current knowledge of issues and trends in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and use emerging and relevant information to educate the workforce; stay regularly updated on current events that may impact our workforce.
- Serve as a coach, mentor, and advisor, using an equity lens and approach, for all levels of leadership and staff throughout the Food Bank.
- Identify and connect with key stakeholders in the community who will enhance the Food Bank’s mission.
- Participate in internal committees and workgroups as required.
- Develop and administer relevant departmental budgets.
- Perform other duties and special projects as required.
Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes
- BA/BS degree with 10 years of progressively responsible experience in equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, with 5 years’ experience leading these initiatives of organizational change, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and lived experience.
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience.
- Ability to supervise and empower staff growth to meet organizational goals.
- A thorough understanding of the intersections between hunger, poverty, racial inequity, and social injustice, and a work history demonstrating initiatives to address these issues.
- Previous work experience in a nonprofit business environment preferred.
- Previous work experience in a nonprofit organization and/or in an operational role or related experience, including management of a multi-functional organization preferred.
- Additional years of experience would be considered in lieu of having a Bachelor’s degree.
- Passionate about working for an organization that values and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Must embrace our EDIB journey.
- Passion for the Food Bank’s mission and core values and advocacy/economic/social and racial justice issues.
- Demonstrate knowledge of EDIB best practices.
- Ability to effectively interact with board, co-workers, clients, volunteers with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientation, and to treat each person and community with respect and dignity.
- Ability to see, acknowledge, and cross barriers that divide our population while being culturally sensitive and mindful of different backgrounds.
- Proven ability to resolve conflict; negotiate with sensitivity; problem solve employee conflicts with managers; and use judgment, reasoning, and patience with board, volunteers, and staff.
- Ability to work as part of a high-performance team and be a strong team player.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills: good listener and thoughtful respondent; positive influencer; negotiator; adept writer who can vary communications to fit cultural context and circumstances; high emotional intelligence.
- Passion for customer service excellence (internal and external), professional etiquette, personal boundaries, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Must be friendly, outgoing, comfortable speaking to people, and have a positive attitude.
- Must have professional demeanor with the ability to work cooperatively across all levels of the organization.
- Must be detail oriented with the ability to work independently, plan, prioritize, take initiative, resolve problems, meet deadlines, and multi-task.
- Must be honest and reliable with high integrity and strong work ethic.
- Must possess strong critical thinking skills and recognize opportunities for improvement in the completion of tasks and projects.
- Able to use the organization’s computer software and systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, department specific software systems, telecommunications, and internet applications.
- Attend CPFB Executive Team and Board of Directors and committee meetings.
- Attend departmental and all-staff meetings as directed, staying informed of ongoing changes in department and overall organization.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is $135,000 – $145,000. CPFB also provides generous benefits including employer contributions to a health insurance plan, employer contributions to a retirement plan, and generous paid time off.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
CPFB is an Equal Opportunity Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or age.
How To Apply
Application Process
The search for this position is being conducted by The Moran Company. Questions about the position can be directed to Mike English, The Moran Company; mike (at) morancompany.com.
To apply for this position, submit cover letter and resume to Mike English, The Moran Company, via the secure online portal. Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position. APPLY NOW