Vice President, Food & Benefits Access

Job Description

Job Description

Location : New York, NY (Hybrid)

Reports to : Senior Vice President, Chief Impact Officer

About United Way of New York City

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. Together, we meet today’s most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow — striving for health, opportunity, and prosperity for every New Yorker in every neighborhood.

As part of the global United Way network, we believe every New Yorker deserves to thrive where they live. Guided by our core values — Collaboration, Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, and Superior Performance — we mobilize communities, drive systems change, and deliver measurable impact for the people who call this city home.

About Food & Benefits Access (FBA)

UWNYC’s Food and Benefits Access (FBA) strategy ensures that all New Yorkers have dignified access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food and the resources they need to build stability. In partnership with more than 500 community-based organizations, the FBA unit leads citywide initiatives like FeedNYC, Connect2Food, Nourish NY, and Food Support Connections. Together, we strengthen the emergency food network, increase SNAP enrollment, support eviction prevention, and advocate for system-level change that addresses the root causes of hunger.

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Food & Benefits Access will serve as a key architect and leader of UWNYC’s work to build a more equitable, resilient, and dignified food system for all New Yorkers. Reporting to the Senior Vice President & Chief Impact Officer, the VP will shape the strategic vision, partnerships, and program portfolio of UWNYC’s FBA initiatives — from emergency food response and nutrition access to policy and systems change.

This role is ideal for a strategic, mission-driven leader with deep knowledge of food systems, public health, and community-based approaches. The VP will guide a talented team, manage multi-million-dollar public and private grants, and represent UWNYC with city, state, and national partners as a thought leader in food and economic security.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for UWNYC’s Food & Benefits Access portfolio.
• Build and sustain partnerships across government, philanthropy, academia, and community sectors to advance equitable food access and system-level change.
• Lead the management of major programs, including EFSP, HPNAP, Nourish NY, Food Support Connections, and Connect2Food.
• Oversee FBA’s FeedNYC data system and leverage data to inform decisions, advocate for funding, and strengthen program performance.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Represent UWNYC as a public champion for food justice and advocate for policies that reduce food insecurity and poverty.

About You

You are a visionary and inclusive leader who thrives on turning strategy into action. You bring :

A Master’s degree in Nutrition Science, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in food systems, public health, or community nutrition.

Demonstrated success in managing cross-sector partnerships and government-funded programs.

Strong team leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and empower diverse teams.

Deep understanding of equity-centered approaches, community engagement, and data-informed decision-making.

Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking skills.

Why Join Us

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the country’s most impactful food access initiatives — at a pivotal moment in shaping how our city supports every neighbor’s right to healthy, affordable food. At UWNYC, you will join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to driving lasting change for communities across the five boroughs.

Key Competencies :

Cultivate

Equity Mindset

Network Mindset

Learning Mindset

Think Strategically

Applies appropriate strategic logic to decisions and initiatives. Identifies efforts that will have the greatest strategic impact.

Promote Collaboration

Fosters a sense of teamwork, leverages differences, and facilitates the effective interaction and contribution of others to achieve goals.

Build Talent

Ensures the availability and development of the talent needed to meet current and future organizational goals.

Engage and Inspire

Articulates and inspires commitment to a plan of action aligned with organizational mission and goals.

Gains the confidence and trust of others through principled leadership and sound business ethics.

United Way of NYC Core Competencies for All Staff

Mission Focused : Catalyze others’ commitment to the mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.

Relationship-Oriented : Understands that people come before processes and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.

Collaborator : Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement

Results Driven : Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good : creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact

Brand Steward : Steward of the brand and understands his / her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

How to apply :

Please apply on our United Way of New York City career page. No phone calls or faxes accepted.

United Way of New York City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer