Vice President of Programs

Ballard Food Bank’s mission is to bring food and hope to our neighbors because there can be enough for everyone. To achieve our mission, we provide access to nutritious foods through our grocery model food bank, Kindness Café, and Community Resource Hub, which encompasses financial resources, referral, and mail services that support self-sufficiency. We also advocate for food equity and justice. Our new home, which opened in October 2021, serves as a Hub for Hope as it brings together food, services, and community partners in a one-stop shop. The Ballard Food Bank actively strives to be an anti-racist organization and promotes the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work. Position summary: Ballard Food Bank is looking for a Vice President of Programs to lead our food access and community resource initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Leadership Team, this new role oversees our programs including our Community Market, Home Delivery, Weekend Food for Kids, Kindness Café, and our Community Resource Hub. Our VP of Programs will drive program strategy, impact evaluation, and team development, ensuring high-quality, equitable services that reflect our mission and values. This leader will foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and community-centered care. Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership Lead the implementation of a holistic program strategy that aligns with our mission, strategic plan, and community need. Translate strategic plans into actionable program goals. Embed principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all programs. Partner with the VP of Development and Communications to shape fundraising strategies and engage new public and private funders. Cultivate strategic partnerships that expand access to food and community resources. Represent Ballard Food Bank with community and coalition partnerships to advocate for policies, programs, and systems that work to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity. Program Oversight Oversee program budgets ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective stewardship of resources. Lead and align all program areas for maximum impact. Support Program Managers in team management, program development, and operations. Provide guidance on effective volunteer management, training, policies, and operations. Ensure compliance with regulatory and funding requirements. Team Management Lead and coach Program teams, providing regular feedback to support their performance and growth. Design a scalable team structure that supports clarity, collaboration, and future expansion. Ensure hiring and management practices are consistent and aligned with BFB’s values. Foster a culture of continuous improvement through goal-setting, feedback, evaluation, and shared learning. Impact & Evaluation Develop and implement impact assessments to evaluate program success and inform strategic improvements. Use data to inform decisions, improve services, and communicate impact. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on grant reporting and funder engagement Skills/Qualifications: Demonstrated commitment to BFB’s core values, with an equity-centered leadership approach. Strategic, accessible leadership style that builds trust across diverse teams and community partners. Ability to structure and scale teams for growth, fostering a culture of care, accountability, and collaboration. Background in social services or direct-service work, with expertise in trauma-informed care and de-escalation practices. Significant experience leading nonprofit programs, with a track record of managing budgets, teams, and compliance. Vision and ability to elevate programs—designing, refining, and expanding services to meet evolving community needs. Ability to align program department goals with BFB’s strategic plan and organizational priorities. Skilled in managing contracts, grants, and reporting with strategic and operational insight. Strong judgment and cross-cultural competence in navigating a variety of situations. Proficiency in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Ukrainian, or Russian a plus Equal Opportunity Employment: Ballard Food Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to cultivate a staff team that reflects the rich diversity of our community. We value a team that is vibrant, inclusive and offers a place of belonging. Applicants representing the diversity of our communities including, people of color, people with disabilities, people with lived experience, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions are encouraged to apply.

Created: 2026-03-10