Senior Partner Relations Manager

Job Details: Job Location: Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago, IL 60632. Position Type: Full Time. Education Level: None. Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00. Job Shift: Day.
General Description

This Senior Partner Relations Manager is a part of the team responsible for ensuring over 800 Food Depository partners across Cook County are equipped with the education, training and resources needed to successfully operate in service and in solidarity with the community toward the mission to end hunger. This role works closely with community partners providing support, education, training, to safely, efficiently and equitably deliver program responses in partnership with the Food Depository, in addition to connecting partners to other critical activities toward the mission to end hunger, such as benefit enrollment and advocacy activities.
This Senior Partner Relations Manager works alongside other teams, including Partner Services, Benefits Enrollment, Policy & Advocacy, Community Engagement, and others to coordinate trainings and content, provide excellent customer service, assist in preparation of annual site visits and audits when needed, and ensure partners have the support they need to work towards mission. Success in this role is demonstrated by meaningful and collaborative relationships with partners that result in impactful and dignified experiences for neighbors seeking support.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Manage and build strong relationships with the assigned portfolio of partners
Maintain strong knowledge of all programs offered within a portfolio of assigned partners, and current food access program guidelines and regulations; utilize the knowledge to make partner recommendations for staff visits, media, and funding opportunities
Create and utilize reports on partner information. Create a partner report card to evaluate the programs' sustainability and future status
Work closely with the Senior Manager of Partner Services to build strong team dynamics between teams. Review and update SOPs that overlap between teams
Conduct partner relationship building site visits in accordance with Food Depository/government guidelines with partners throughout Cook County to ensure partners are positioned for success in their programming toward mission
Assist partners operating food access programs with the tools, resources and technical assistance needed to ensure successful operations, including accurate and timely reporting
Provide support, education, training, to safely, efficiently and equitably receive, store, sort and distribute food in partnership with the Food Depository’s food access programs
Gather information on community and partner needs and ensure those needs are recorded for further analysis by the Community Impact Team
Maintain accurate and up-to-date tracking of partner interactions in the organization’s CRM and program management systems (StratusLive and Ceres)
Support partners during their food distribution activities, ensuring best practices and guest-focused programming
Review and monitor partner submission of various reports, supporting partners with accuracy and completion
Report persistent problems to the appropriate Community Impact Team member for resolution
Evaluate operating hours across the partner network and develop recommendations on how new and existing partners can expand current operations
Collaborate with members of the Community Impact team to support the recruitment and onboarding of new partners
Identify partners that would benefit from other Food Depository programming, including increasing access to public benefits, community food rescue, advocacy or additional food access programs
Maintain strong knowledge of compliance regulations and guidelines as well as performance standards established by the Food Depository and governing bodies
Maintain consistent, professional contact and communication with partners
Adhere to professional and ethical guidelines in all guest interactions
Support the adoption of Link2Feed as the guest intake tool across the partner network where applicable
Work alongside Partner Services & Training team to manage the maintenance of accurate compliance files and training resource library, prepare records for audits by government agencies or other monitoring bodies to ensure full network compliance, track training completion, and recommend new trainings based on partner feedback
In partnership with Partner Services & Training, work with partners to quickly resolve any outstanding compliance issues to minimize partner holds and ensure continuing support for the community; update and report all partner holds to the Community Impact team
In partnership with the Neighbor Services team, work with partners to quickly resolve any neighbor complaints
Collaborate cross-team to develop evaluation procedures, marketing and educational materials
Become knowledgeable of the communities and surrounding communities where food programs are located
Support large cross-organizational projects, such as Equitable Food Distribution, CRM, Vivery, and Operations Optimization
Qualifications

4 - 6 years of social service and/or program management experience strongly preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills required
Strong customer service orientation with a demonstrated ability to problem solve
Display a willingness and desire to work with people from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds
Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills required for coordination with partners and internal Food Depository staff
Strong management and relationship building skills
Strong proficiency in MS Office-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, MS Teams, SharePoint, Outlook
Ability to work independently and maintain timely schedule with minimal supervision required
Must have access to a working vehicle with valid insurance and possess a valid Illinois Driver’s License
Spanish-speaking preferred but not required
Exposure

Normal office environment; exposure to warehouse environment. Hybrid office schedule with minimum of 3 days in office, when not in community with partners
Interacts with Food Depository staff, partners, applicant organizations, donors, community leaders, volunteers, general public
Some evening and weekend time is required for site visits, community meetings and events, and participation in GCFD events
Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
Employer-paid life and disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program
403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
Generous paid time off
Parental leave
On-site gym
$3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
$250 employee referral bonus

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