Senior Partner Relations Manager

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 ...