Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Director

Position Available

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) seeks a talented and experienced leader with anti-hunger, nutrition, and anti-poverty expertise to fill the position of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Director working to strengthen SNAP access and benefit adequacy. This position reports to the Chief Program Officer (CPO). FRAC is located in Washington, D.C. and operates on a hybrid work schedule. This position will require some in-person meetings and work. Travel is expected to be 25-40% of working days.

The Director will play a leadership role within the Program unit, working closely with the Chief Program Officer to develop, lead, and track annual work plans; set and meet unit goals; collaborate with other unit Directors to assist in achieving FRAC’s strategic plan goals. The Director will identify opportunities to expand the unit’s work, develop additional resources and materials, and will manage the unit. The Director will work with the CPO, other unit Directors, and the Development unit in creating grant proposals and developing relationships with funders. The successful candidate will seek ways to improve SNAP’s reach and support for low-income households, including people and families working their way up the economic ladder. The ultimate goal is to ensure that SNAP can bolster food security, health and well-being, serve customers with dignity, and make positive impacts for a robust and equitable economy. This position is part of FRAC’s leadership team; works with FRAC’s national, state, and local partners; and requires skills in strategy, coalition-building, policy analysis, and project management. A deep expertise of the SNAP program is required.

Organizational Background

FRAC works to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To attain this mission, FRAC engages in research, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance and training, and an array of communications strategies. In partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations, schools, and labor organizations, FRAC addresses hunger and food insecurity, and poverty as their root cause.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Expand FRAC's position as a trusted source of information on the SNAP program and other anti-hunger policies.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy that includes regrants, trainings, technical assistance, and materials to provide leadership and support to state and local network partners on federal, state and local SNAP policy advocacy.
• Lead work on collecting and analyzing data to publish program-specific data reports around FRAC's policy goals.
• Build FRAC capacity to improve SNAP’s ability to serve all people in need.
• In conjunction with the FRAC’s network team, expand and tailor the resources we provide network members to amplify their critical state, local and federal policy advocacy work.
• Work with network members to advance FRAC’s strategic priorities and advocacy goals.
• Oversee the development of project management systems to better coordinate and share work across the unit and in joint projects with other units.
• Lead key projects and initiatives within the unit.
• Evaluate the effects of existing or proposed legislation, regulations, policies and practices in order to determine ways to defend, improve and expand SNAP’s positive impacts.
• Write persuasive analytic materials, guides, outreach materials, and reports for use by advocates, government agencies, policy makers, service providers, and the media.
• Oversee data and analysis projects within the unit.
• Make presentations to diverse audiences at local, state, regional and national conferences and meetings on SNAP access, benefit adequacy, and quality customer service.
• Provide leadership in planning and organizing webinars and trainings.
• Represent FRAC at coalition and partner meetings.
• Manage regrants to state and local nonprofits.

A well-qualified candidate will possess the following:

• Minimum 12 years of experience in advocacy, policy analysis, program operations and/or organizing.
• An advanced degree in law, public policy or a comparable field or comparable experience.
• Proven management experience.
• Ability to lead, work independently and as a member of a team.
• Experience in nonprofit, government or policy work strongly preferred.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically.
• Proven knowledge of SNAP is required.
• Proven professional relationships with nutrition assistance programs key stakeholders, i.e. USDA, Food Nutrition Service leadership, Members of Congress.
• Capacity to tap input and engagement from people with lived experience with hunger and poverty strongly preferred.
• Experience with public benefits and outreach also preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Unquestioned integrity, a high level of energy, and a sense of humor.
• A commitment to social justice.
• Experience with media.
• Experience with administrative and legislative federal advocacy.
• Solid computer and database management skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Commitment to working for social justice.

Salary/Benefits

The salary floor for this position is $130,000 and the salary midpoint is $154,000 and is commensurate with experience; excellent health, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits; generous leave; enthusiastic and supportive staff.

To Apply

Click here to submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples (no more than four pages).

No phone calls, please.

Opening/Closing Dates

The position is available immediately. It will close when filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC strongly encourages individuals with lived expertise who can contribute to the diversity of the organization and with a passion for social justice to apply.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.