Program Director

The Program Director provides strategic leadership, integration, and oversight across Appetite For Change’s core programs, including the Youth Training & Opportunity Program (YTOP), Urban Agriculture, and Community Cooks & Meal Boxes. This role is responsible for ensuring that AFC’s programs are mission-aligned, high-quality, sustainable, and well-coordinated, while supporting staff to deliver impactful work in a lean organizational environment. The Program Director focuses on strategy, systems, staff leadership, and continuous improvement rather than day-to-day program delivery. The Program Director plays a key role in evolving AFC’s youth and community programming, strengthening leadership pathways, and ensuring that programs work together as a cohesive ecosystem.

This is a full-time position, primarily working Monday through Friday, with some weekends based on need. This person works an average of 40 hours per week. The work is in-person and takes place during the day, with both early morning and evening hours, as well as occasional weekends. Some traveling throughout the metro area is required for food shopping and event attendance.

Program Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: President

Supervises: Program Managers (Youth Training & Opportunity Program, Urban Agriculture, Community Cooks & Meal Boxes), Program Facilitators (indirect supervision through Program Managers)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Strategy & Integration

  • Provide strategic leadership across AFC’s program portfolio

  • Ensure alignment between YTOP, Urban Agriculture, and Community Cooks & Meal Boxes

  • Translate AFC’s mission and organizational priorities into clear program strategies

  • Identify opportunities for program improvement, alignment, and growth

  • Guide the evolution of YTOP and other programs based on learning and capacity

Staff Leadership & Management

  • Supervise and support Program Managers

  • Set clear expectations, priorities, and decision-making boundaries for managers

  • Coach managers to own outcomes while avoiding burnout in a lean environment

  • Support healthy team culture, communication, and accountability

  • Partner with managers on staffing plans, role clarity, and professional development

Planning, Budget & Resource Oversight

  • Partner with senior leadership on program budgets and resource allocation

  • Ensure programs operate within approved budgets

  • Identify capacity constraints and make recommendations for prioritization

  • Support grant reporting and program-related funder communications as needed

Cross-Program Coordination & Systems

  • Facilitate regular coordination among Program Managers

  • Resolve cross-program challenges related to scheduling, staffing, or shared resources

  • Ensure clear handoffs between training, work centers, and leadership pathways

  • Strengthen internal systems that support efficient program operations

External Alignment & Representation

  • Represent AFC programs internally and externally, as appropriate

  • Support Program Managers in managing key partnerships and stakeholders

  • Ensure youth-facing partnerships align with AFC values and standards

  • Collaborate with development and communications staff to share program impact

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support organizational planning and strategy development

  • Contribute to leadership team decision-making

  • Support crisis management and incident response related to programs

  • Participate in hiring and onboarding of program staff

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Desired Education and Experience

  • 5+ years experience leading complex community-based or youth-serving programs

  • 5+ years demonstrated success managing and supporting program managers or equivalent roles

  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace

  • Experience with CRM platforms (Salesforce, Bonterra, or similar)

  • Experience related to AFC’s program activities (farming, cooking, etc.) preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Strong systems thinking and strategic planning skills

  • Experience balancing mission-driven work with operational realities

  • Strong communication, coaching, and decision-making skills

  • Able to balance multiple programs, projects, and priorities simultaneously

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and willingness to take on any task at any time

  • Commitment to racial equity, community-centered practice, and AFC’s mission

  • Strong connection to North Minneapolis preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Incumbent must be able to:

  • Hear and speak in order to communicate with people inside and outside the organization

  • Work at a computer, on the telephone, sitting at a desk or standing for extended periods of time

  • Apply manual dexterity, visual acuity, and ability for computer keyboarding and office equipment use

  • Periodically perform physical tasks related to program support, including bending, twisting, and kneeling

  • Occasionally lift items up to 25 pounds

  • Possess a current driver’s license, reliable transportation, and valid insurance

  • Independently travel between multiple locations across the community

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Incumbent must be able to use standard office equipment: Computers, telephone, printers, copiers, scanners, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is a blend of indoor and outdoor activities, including office-based, community-based, and on-site work, including outdoors in all Minnesota weather conditions and temperatures as needed. This role is required to work some evenings and weekends as needed to support program activities. This role must be able to work either in-person or remotely during working hours as the organization requires.

PAY RATE:

$85,000 - $95,000 per year, depending on qualifications

BENEFITS:

Health Insurance 

Dental Insurance 

Retirement (401k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Short Term Disability (STD) Insurance 

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

TO APPLY:

Send resume and cover letter to jobs@afcmn.org

Why Work at AFC?

At Appetite For Change, our work is community led. We welcome people who live and work on the Northside and across Minnesota, people of color and white folks, people across spectrums of masculinity and femininity, and ability partner using food as a tool to build health, wealth, and social change in North Minneapolis.

“I work at Appetite For Change because our work is immediate and lasting— sharing fresh meals building youth skills, growing food and knowledge—all these things are intentional pathways to building strong, lasting change.”

 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer: employment and participation will not be based on race, color, creed, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, sex, or membership in a local human rights commission.