Description

Are you passionate about creating meaningful partnerships and strengthening communities? The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is seeking a Partner Liaison Manager to manage strategic outreach and capacity-building initiatives that address food and economic insecurity across our service area. As Partner Liaison Manager, you’ll be the connector—linking community partners, agencies and internal teams to deliver equitable, impactful services. From training and grant management to compliance and advocacy, your leadership will ensure our network thrives and neighbors receive the assistance they need.

A Day in the Life

Community Outreach:

• Support and engage community partners and team members to build strategic relationships, deepen understanding of local dynamics, and foster advocacy for holistic initiatives addressing food insecurity, economic insecurity, and poverty.
• Use data, in partnership with the business intelligence team, partner agencies and community connections subject matter experts, to identify communities needing increased service capacity.
• Ensure the response to inquiries from community contacts and prospective partners with accurate information and effective follow-up.
• Coordinate with Advocacy and Public Policy teams to engage local public officials and enhance community partnerships.
• Gather and present stories from the network to include in newsletters, outreach and advocacy efforts.
• Engage, as needed, team members in representing the Regional Food Bank at community and civic events, including holiday and special food box distributions.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Develop and implement capacity-building strategies, goals, and metrics in partnership with leadership.
• Manage training and technical assistance programs that improve partner effectiveness and enhance service delivery.
• Advocate for partner and community priorities by ensuring representation in planning and execution processes.
• Coordinate cross-department initiatives to align systems and workflows with partner expectations, promoting best practices across areas such as grants, food safety, onboarding, online ordering, and intake.
• Create dashboards and reporting tools to provide leadership visibility into progress.
• Facilitate capacity-building grants and partner incentives.
• Plan and organize the Partner Agency Conference (PAC) in partnership with the Director of the Partner Network.

Partner Support:

• Oversee onboarding of new partners, including application review, site visits, orientation, and follow-up check-ins.
• Guide the development, implementation and analysis of regularly scheduled agency reporting surveys.
• Oversee and assist with partner assignments for the Retail Recovery program and ensure accurate reporting of donor status and changes.
• Prepare and monitor correspondence with potential and existing partner organizations while ensuring accurate and prompt responses to inquiries and/or external requests.

Compliance:

• Monitor visit completions, reporting requirements, and resolution processes, ensuring corrective actions are documented and completed.
• Maintain adherence to USDA distribution policies and foster excellent relationships with state and regional USDA team members.
• Ensure accurate documentation of partner files, non-profit status and agreements in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Investigate and resolve neighbor and partner concerns to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.
• Work with Finance to resolve partner agency past-due invoices and maintain transparency.

Leadership Responsibilities

Oversee 4 - 6 staff.

• Guide, shape, and inspire divisional vision, employee engagement and effective participation in organizational planning and coordination.
• Work with staff to establish annual program work plans, including goals, priorities, activities and performance metrics to achieve organization targets.
• Supervise, develop, motivate and evaluate staff.
• Partner with other Regional Food Bank departments to implement organizational priorities.
• Participate with executive leadership team in organizational development and strategic planning activities. Ensure that established goals are met or exceeded.
• Empower and train staff to work effectively and respectfully with the partner network.

Requirements

How you have spent your time:

• Earning a bachelor’s degree or gaining at least 4 years of relevant experience in the field or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Working in a leadership role for at least 3 years..
• Managing a diverse workforce.

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license with a driving record that meets organizational standards.
• Proficiency in common office applications and database software (e.g., Microsoft Office, CRM systems).
• Ability to learn and adjust to new technologies.
• Ability to complete a background check, motor vehicle record review, drug screening, and physical assessment as required for the role.
• Commitment to advancing the mission of ending hunger.

Safety Sensitive Designation:

This position is classified as Safety Sensitive under Oklahoma law. Employees in safety-sensitive roles perform duties where even a momentary lapse in concentration could result in injury to themselves, others or cause environmental harm. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is not permitted to hire applicants who hold a medical marijuana card for safety-sensitive positions, in compliance with state law.

Preferred Qualifications

How you have spent your time:

• Working in a nonprofit environment or community-focused organization focused on service delivery, community organizing, business development, or a closely related field for at least 5 years.
• Working in leadership roles within community focused teams for at least 5 years.
• Proven project management skills, with demonstrated organization and attention to detail.
• Expertise in client-centered service delivery models.

Your Environment

Occasional exposure to outdoor conditions, including temperature changes and humidity (e.g., summer heat, winter cold, rain, sleet, snow). Possible exposure to dust, chemicals, gases, fumes, smoke, noise, and vibrations. Work typically performed in a combination of environments: office, field locations and while traveling in a car or fleet vehicle. Work may occur in industrial environments (indoor or outdoor) with potential hazards and noise. May involve occasional travel (up to 25%) for meetings, training or assignments for up to one week per month, typically allowing return home nightly. Availability for rotating on-call schedule, occasional unscheduled callouts, and extended workdays or workweeks. Schedule may include occasional overtime, weekend or holiday hours.

Physical Demands

Maintain a stationary position for extended periods while performing work in an office, field location or vehicle setting. Operate vehicles safely by monitoring surroundings, reading signage and maintaining awareness of road conditions. Coordinate movements to manage vehicle controls and respond promptly to changes in traffic or environment. Perform tasks that involve coordination of multiple limbs and fine motor activities such as handling, grasping and maintaining steadiness for moving objects. Move objects weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently, using appropriate moving techniques or mechanical aids as needed. Transition between stationery and other positions as needed during the workday. Access work areas and vehicles in a manner that aids job tasks, which may involve adjusting body position in limited spaces. Respond promptly to environmental cues and maintain focus during complex tasks. Auditory attention to recognize signals, alarms and spoken instructions that serve as key safety and maintenance indicators. Exchange information clearly in person or via devices in dynamic environments, including those with background noise. Maintain concentration and alertness for extended periods to ensure safety and task accuracy. Follow safety protocols, including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required by Environmental, Health and Safety policies.

We'll Take Care of You

The Regional Food Bank offers a combination of competitive benefit plans and work-life assistance:

• We provide 100% paid Medical, Short-Term Disability and Basic Life and AD&D insurance for employees. Basic Life and AD&D coverage is also provided for eligible dependents.
• Dental and Vision benefits.
• Long-term disability
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Holiday savings program
• Paid time off (based on years of service) and 11 paid holidays plus three floating holidays.
• Wellness events

Benefits will vary depending on the type of position and are subject to change at the discretion of the Regional Food Bank.

EEO & Accommodation Statement

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, it is the policy of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources at hr@rfbo.org.