Program & Network Manager at Black Church Food Security Network

The Black Church Food Security Network is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and mission-driven Program and Network Manager to lead the implementation, delivery, and day-to-day management of its core programs while stewarding a growing national network of partner churches and community members.

The Program and Network Manager is a thoughtful and tactical leader responsible for executing BCFSN’s key initiatives from gardens and markets to food justice tours and bulk purchasing programs, while also serving as a central point of connection for a network of 300+ churches and stakeholders. This role blends program delivery, community engagement, and systems management, ensuring programs run effectively and network members are supported with the resources, relationships, and guidance needed to advance food sovereignty. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic, community-centered environments and can translate vision into structured, on-the-ground execution.

About Black Church Food Security Network

The Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) is the fruit of Maxine’s Garden at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD. After years of seeing the benefits of integrating a vegetable garden into the ministry of the church and growing frustrated with food access and charity models, Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III began dreaming of what could happen if more Black churches started growing food on their land and worked in coordination with other congregations and farmers to co-create local Black-owned food systems.

Today, the network spans much of the country with most congregations located on the East Coast and the Southeastern United States. Using an asset-based community development approach, the BCFSN supports churches in establishing gardens on their land, hosting miniature farmers’ markets, and buying wholesale from Black farmers, all while leveraging their existing assets and members’ skills to further Black food security and sovereignty.

Core Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Report directly to the Deputy Director and be responsible for the implementation and delivery of all BCFSN programs including:

  1. Operation Higher Ground Gardens, Soil 2 Sanctuary Markets, Black Church Farm and Food Justice Tours, ARC (bulk purchasing), and other emerging or one-off initiatives

• Oversee all aspects of program execution including planning, timelines, budgets, and staff and contractor management

• Develop and manage program infrastructure, including work plans, tracking systems, documentation, and internal processes to support consistent and scalable execution

• Serve as the primary point of accountability for day-to-day program operations, proactively identifying risks, gaps, or bottlenecks and implementing solutions to keep programs on track

• Coordinate across vendors, volunteers, contractors, and faith leaders to ensure seamless program delivery across multiple sites and initiatives.

• Proactively identify operational bottlenecks or risks and develop solutions

• Establish and maintain systems for data collection and program evaluation (e.g., site visit reports, harvest logs, attendance tracking, and surveys), ensuring consistent adoption across all partner sites.

• Keep leadership informed on program performance, partner engagement, and emerging opportunities for growth or improvement

Volunteer Management

1. Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers

2. Design and manage volunteer engagement and coordination processes that support program delivery, ensuring volunteers are effectively onboarded, coordinated, and aligned to specific program needs

Grants & Compliance

1. Track program-related grant deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements, ensuring all commitments are met

2. Draft grant reports and support partner communications related to program outcomes and impact

3. Maintain organized and up-to-date grant documentation for all programs in coordination with leadership

4. Keep leadership informed on program status, partner engagement and emerging opportunities

Knowledge Management & Field Expertise

1. Maintain and continuously build expertise in urban agriculture, food systems, and food sovereignty to inform program strategy and implementation

2. Research and integrate best practices to strengthen program quality, effectiveness, and alignment with BCFSN’s mission

Network & Relationship Management:

• Serve as the primary relationship manager and community point of contact for the Black Church Food Security Network, supporting and engaging a network of 300+ partner churches and a broader ecosystem of community stakeholders

• Manage engagement across three core constituencies:

  1. Existing network members (300+ churches and partners) who require ongoing support, resources, and connection points

  2. Hundreds of perspective members seeking to join the network

  3. Hundreds of broader community members and organizations seeking guidance or connection to food sovereignty work

• Respond to inbound inquiries and proactively connect individuals and partners to BCFSN programs, resources, and opportunities for engagement.

• Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with church partners, maintaining consistent communication and ensuring members feel supported in advancing food sovereignty efforts within their communities

• Design and facilitate onboarding experiences for new members, as well as ongoing engagement opportunities such as network gatherings, workshops, or peer learning opportunities

• Provide or coordinate access to curricula, tools, and technical assistance to support churches and community members in implementing local food programs.

• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and shared practice across the network.

• Develop and maintain systems to track network engagement, participation, and impact, including maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact databases for members, partners, vendors, and community stakeholders

  • Grants & Compliance

    1. Track and document network engagement and activities (e.g., photos, participation data, site updates) to support storytelling, reporting, and funder requirements.

    2. Collaborate with leadership to translate network activity into clear, compelling updates and reports for funders and partners

Position Type and Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of up to $80,000/year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include Medical (CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc.), Dental, Vision, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Sick and Safe Leave, Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty Leave, and Mileage Reimbursement.

Expected Work Commitment / Work Location

Standard BCFSN office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. While expected to be available during regular office hours, the daily schedule is flexible and will be decided in consultation with the Deputy Director and based on the scope of work and organizational needs. Work on some weekends/evenings is necessary based on events or programs hosted by BCFSN or partners, collaborators, and the community.

The candidate must be local to the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The role is primarily remote, however must be able to often work at the co-working space in Baltimore and/or at collaborator sites as needed.

Travel

Some regional local travel may be necessary for community outreach and collaborative efforts. Occasional national domestic travel may be required for meetings and conferences.

Required / Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in program management, network building, community organizing, or related fields including experience managing multiple concurrent initiatives, budgets, and timelines

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage programs from start to finish

• Experience engaging and managing diverse stakeholder groups, with the ability to build trust and sustain relationships across varied constituencies

• Strong operational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize effectively, manage competing demands, and maintain meticulous attention to detail in high-stakes environments

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey information, respond to inquiries, and facilitate engagement across a wide range of community members, volunteers, donors, partners and board members with professionalism and care

• Self-directed and proactive, with a high degree of ownership and accountability for outcomes; able to identify challenges, propose solutions, and follow through on execution

• Adaptable and resourceful, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and evolving priorities within a growing, mission-driven organization

• Experience with or exposure to grant tracking, reporting, and program evaluation practices.

• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Bill.com, Slack, Notion, Google Suite).

• Commitment to racial justice, food sovereignty, and faith-rooted community development

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred in nonprofit management, public administration, social sciences, business, or a related field. (Equivalent professional or community-based experience in lieu of a degree will be fully considered.)

Timeline of the Selection Process

• Application Open -April 29, 2026 - May 6, 2026

• Zoom Screens - May 7, 2026 - May 15, 2026

• Case Study - May 18, 2026 - May 20, 2026

• First and Final Interviews - May 21, 2026 - May 28, 2026

• Expected Offer to Final Candidate - May 29, 2026

• Expected Start Date - June 2026

Accessibility Accommodations

If you need accessibility accommodations for any portions of the selection process, please let us know so that we can arrange these in advance.

Apply

If you are interested in applying for the Deputy Director position at the Black Church Food Security Network (www.blackchurchfoodsecurity.net), please submit your application, including a resume and customized cover letter–it doesn’t have to be long, but should indicate why you are applying for this role.

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

Link to job posting: https://blackchurchfoodsecurity.net/blog/