Assistant Director, Values-Based Food Purchasing Location :
- Flexible within the U.S. but requires access to a major U.S. airport for travel. Position Type : Full-time About Us At Partners for Public Good (PPG), we believe that when government works, communities thrive.
- Launched in March 2025, we are a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments harness core operational functions – procurement, staffing, digital infrastructure, and budgeting – to drive public impact. Our journey began in 2011 at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, where we set out to transform public procurement.
- Since then, we’ve worked with hundreds of governments across the country to make their procurement systems more efficient, fair, results-driven, and strategic.
- For example, in 2022, we launched the Procurement Excellence Network, putting our tools and strategies in the hands of over two thousand public servants. Today, our team of doers, coaches, and advisors partner with governments to create lasting, impactful change.
Our vision is simple :
every resident has a government they can count on, every day. Role & Organizational Impact The Assistant Director of Values-Based Food Purchasing will lead a network of local government leaders that are facilitating major commitments to accelerate values-based food procurement practices in public, private, and civil society institutions.This network has been prototyped by the IL Tech Institute of Design Food Systems Action Lab, and PPG was recently selected to become the host of this Network. Reporting to the Vice President, the Assistant Director will serve as the manager of the network, planning high impact virtual and in-person meetings, facilitating connections between members, recruiting new member jurisdictions, and providing expert coaching that helps members design policy and overcome implementation challenges. The Assistant Director will also help to expand PPG’s impact by growing our portfolio of work related to food procurement and interconnected sustainable purchasing strategies.Working closely with members of PPG’s leadership team, the Assistant Director will engage with government leaders and philanthropy, pitch projects, and identify and respond to funding opportunities that broaden our reach. Responsibilities Network Design & Implementation Coordinating with network members, drive network design, development of offerings, and set member expectations, building from IL Tech’s initial work. Conduct research to understand the unique value-add the network can have and best practices for communities of practice, including through interviews, surveys, process mapping, and policy review. Lead with curiosity and empathy to create a network space that is collaborative, solutions focused, and driven by mutual learning and respect. Set up project management structures that drive timely completion of deliverables and key milestones. Network Coordination & Management :
Plan and facilitate regular network meetings that enable members to tap into each other’s experience and expertise. Recruit new network members, by leveraging conferences and peer organizations, and by using existing PPG connections. Set up systems to track member engagement and report metrics regularly to manager and funders.Conduct interviews and surveys to assess impact. Coordinate and plan content development for an annual in-person convening of network members. Collaborate with communications staff and consultants to create impactful and accessible content for various audiences (e.g., stories of impact, technical reports, analyses). Technical Assistance Develop learning opportunities that help government leaders grow their understanding of food system landscapes and procurement laws, and develop practical skills that increase ability to move from ideas to action. Provide individualized guidance and coaching to network members operating in different contexts, working 1 :
1 with network members on planning and strategy, and liaising with subject matter experts as needed. Understand and apply industry trends, regulations, and innovations in food service procurement. Organizational Leadership and People Management Collaborate closely with senior leadership to shape organizational strategy, including growth of food and sustainability portfolio, communicating insights from local governments. Lead and support resource planning and continuous improvement initiatives. Positively shape organizational culture, promoting equity, transparency, and accountability across all PPG operations. This role may lead, manage, and develop a team of high-performing Project Leader(s) and Associate(s), fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth. Who You Are We’re looking for candidates who are : Strategic and analytic solution builders.You quickly understand complex challenges and deliver clear, practical, and impactful solutions to governments.You maintain a strategic long-term vision while effectively managing day-to-day operational details. Expert project managers.You skillfully oversee multiple project components, strategically manage resources, and ensure timely, high-quality results, in a remote setting. People-centered leaders. You are an experienced people manager whose leadership is rooted in coaching and mentorship.Individuals on your team excel, grow, and enjoy their work. Clear and polished communicators.You independently create compelling and professional documents and presentations.You clearly and persuasively convey complex information to diverse audiences that include funders, senior government leaders, and external partners. Change catalysts.You recognize that true change requires culture shifts, capacity-building, collaboration, and empowerment—in addition to better processes.You build trust and momentum, bringing stakeholders along with you while moving with urgency. Adaptable and collaborative team players.You thrive in a fast-paced environment, quickly learning and adapting to keep projects moving.You care for your colleagues and are quick to pitch in when someone needs help.You are comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback. Mission aligned.You are motivated by the opportunity to help state and local governments harness core operational functions so that every resident has a government they can count on, every day. Qualifications Core Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required.Equivalent years of professional experience will be considered in lieu of formal education. Seven or more years of relevant experience.This may include direct experience covering topics related to values-based purchasing, nutrition, food systems, or food policy. Knowledge of local government procurement practices, or experience working in local government. At least two years of people management experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with other technology tools. Willingness and ability to travel, likely around 3-4 days per quarter. Experiential Qualifications We believe a variety of experiences can equip individuals to excel in this role.While we expect applicants to bring many of the qualifications listed below, we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Experience managing networks, communities of practice, or learning communities that aim to collectively support members to reach unique goals. Understanding the capacity needs of local government leaders, institutional food purchasers, food vendors, distributors, and producers. Additional Information :
Deadline to Apply : PPG will review applications on a rolling basis.All applications received by the deadline of Sunday, November 9, will be considered. Compensation :
The salary for this role is $135,000 plus benefits.We offer a comprehensive, people-first benefits package to support the well-being of our team and their families.We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, with multiple plan options to fit individual needs as well as access to health and flexible savings accounts.Paid time off includes :
15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 3 personal days, 2 floating holidays, 12 paid holidays, and a winter recess.We also provide an employer match for retirement savings, paid parental leave, and access to backup care for caregiving needs.To support remote work, we offer work-from-home stipends or shared office space options. Start date :
The desired start date for this role is December 2025 or January 2026. This position is grant-funded.Employment is contingent on continuation of funds and organizational needs, at PPG’s sole discretion. Physical Demands :
This position requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day.Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds.Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties. Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity Partners for Public Good is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Partners for Public Good is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities.
If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info(at)partnersforpublicgood.org. Powered by JazzHR