Food Education Fund (FEF) is a 501(c)(3) career-development nonprofit providing experience and exposure to diverse career paths and the resources to develop core life skills-communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and empathy-that are invaluable within and beyond the hospitality sector.
Food Education Fund seeks to bridge the gap between education and the workforce for NYC public school students. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and career development opportunities, FEF empowers students with the practical skills and industry connections they need to succeed in hospitality and beyond. By focusing on career readiness, workforce development, and industry immersion, FEF's programs aim to break down barriers and create a more equitable pipeline to opportunity for NYC's most marginalized youth.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Program Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping our students' futures through the design and implementation of comprehensive career development programs. This role, reporting to the Director of College & Career Readiness, will focus on enhancing FEF's suite of programs with an emphasis on curriculum execution and internship placements through fostering partnerships, being knowledgeable of industry trends, and ensuring food-focused career exploration in various sectors including culinary, food media, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the Program Manager will be responsible for ongoing program assessment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Execute a multi-year career development program encompassing soft skills, professional growth, internships, and leadership development
Cultivate and enhance lasting relationships with industry leaders across diverse fields to establish employment pipelines
Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to analyze and evaluate program effectiveness, partnership satisfaction, aligned job placements, alumni engagement, and other relevant data points
Coordinate career-related services tailored to specific student demographics and industry trends
Organize life skill seminars and workshops on financial literacy, resume writing, interview preparation, and other relevant topics
Instruction of select Workforce Development courses
Provide one-on-one career guidance to students and monitor the completion of required career checklists
Facilitate networking and mentoring initiatives among current students and alumni, while maintaining an up-to-date alumni database
Expand and maintain partnerships with internship hosting sites, conducting regular site visits and evaluations
KPIs AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
Expand internship opportunities by 25% annually
Broaden partner site diversity, with at least 20% representing food-focused careers beyond traditional front- and back-of-house roles
Maintain a 92% year-over-year retention rate for internship host sites
Collect and analyze data to identify trends, implementing adaptive strategies for continuous program improvement for the student learning experience
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
4+ years in hospitality management, service excellence, or related fields within an elevated dining establishment, corporate hospitality group, or luxury brand.
Strong experience in client satisfaction metrics, data analysis, and process improvement, with a focus on maintaining high standards of service.
Exceptional communication skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, foster collaboration, and mentor hospitality professionals at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations, including marginalized groups, and a commitment to creating inclusive environments.
Self-motivated, adaptable, and quick to adopt new tools and technologies to optimize processes and service quality.
Highly organized with excellent planning and facilitation abilities, focused on achieving organizational goals and elevating team performance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in culinary, hospitality, or luxury service industries, with a deep understanding of the standards required in high-end environments.
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
Experience teaching or mentoring within a hospitality or corporate setting, with a passion for developing the next generation of leaders.
Proven success in client satisfaction initiatives, employee retention, and consistently surpassing performance expectations.
Proficient in Salesforce or similar CRM tools, with strong analytical skills to identify trends, enhance service delivery, and drive continuous improvements.
WORK SCHEDULE
The Program Manager will be a full-time position, with a schedule to be determined in consultation with the Executive Director. The role will be approximately 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and Saturday commitments based on special events. All FEF employees must pass a complete background check in alignment with the DOE requirements prior to start date.
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, within the range of $68,000 and $75,000.
BENEFITS
The Food Education Fund (FEF) offers all full-time employees a Health Insurance Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), paid family leave and sick time, commuter benefits, and 401(k) matching contributions. All full-time employees are eligible for 22 paid vacation days per year for their first full year (prorated dependent on start date) as well as two (2) floating holidays.
TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and a well-crafted cover letter to Dr. Danielle Beam, Executive Director (danielle@foodeducationfund.org). Provide contact information for at least two professional references, with at least one being a former supervisor.