Overview
Chief Strategy Officer (CSPAV) Jobs in San Francisco, CA at SF-Marin Food Bank
Title: Chief Strategy Officer (CSPAV)
Company: SF-Marin Food Bank
Location: San Francisco, CA
About Us
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is at a pivotal moment. With 1 in 3 households in San Francisco and 1 in 4 in Marin not earning enough to meet their basic needs, we are moving beyond the traditional model of food distribution to become an engine for systemic change. As a visionary collaborative leader and the Chief of Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy, and Voice, you will not just manage a department; you will facilitate the co-creation of our next chapter, fostering deep synergies between our teams and community partners to work collectively toward a better world. We offer you the platform to challenge the status quo, build a bold agenda, and directly impact the lives of neighbors in our community. If you are a visionary who believes that hunger is a policy choice—and that we have the power to change that choice—we want to build that future with you.
About the Role
We are seeking a transformational leader to serve as the Chief Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy, and Voice Officer (CSPAV). As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will design and execute a long-term policy roadmap to eradicate hunger in San Francisco and Marin counties, translating our 'Seeding Change' agenda into measurable community outcomes. You will bridge grassroots Peer Navigator and CalFresh Ambassador programs with high-level policy change, ensuring strategic growth is balanced with diligent financial stewardship and centering participant feedback in all advocacy goals. The CSPAV reports to the Executive Director and oversees 3 direct reports (Director of Community Building, Associate Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, and Senior Associate Director of Programs Outreach) and 6 indirect reports.
Responsibilities
Strategic Program Alignment & Impact
- As the strategic integrator for the Department, the CSPAV ensures that advocacy, public policy, and community voice are embedded into our program design and service delivery.
- Peer Navigators: Design the long-term growth plan for the Peer Navigator program to ensure it targets the areas with the highest food insecurity.
- CalFresh Outreach: This branch is responsible for providing application assistance to ~4000 households annually, including growing a network of partners equipped to provide application assistance.
- Program Strategy and Innovation: Act as a strategic partner to mission impact Departments in the Food Bank to center community voice in the continued transformation of the Food Bank.
Strategic Advocacy & Policy Architecture
- Commitment to Equity: Center all policy and advocacy work on an unwavering commitment to anti-poverty and anti-racism equity.
- Legislative Strategy: Lead the long-term policy roadmap, connecting state and federal advocacy toward bill efforts with local defensive funding campaigns.
- Local Government Liaison: Serve as the primary advocate and strategist for San Francisco and Marin local government issues.
- Community-Led Policy: Ensure policy strategy is informed by the lived experience of our participants.
Cultural Leadership & Team Transformation
- Equity & Diversity: Champion the organization’s commitment to JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion).
- Cohesion: Partner closely with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to align department goals with the broader organizational strategy.
- Cross-Departmental Integration: Actively partner with Programs and Supply Chain teams to ensure advocacy strategies are grounded in the operational realities of food distribution.
- Empowerment & Mentorship: Be a hands-on mentor who fosters professional growth and provides the active support our staff needs to thrive.
Strategic Partnerships & Coalitions
- Alliance Building: Mobilize and sustain diverse alliances across regional food banks, public health agencies, and community groups.
- Co-Leadership: Move beyond transactional partnerships to true co-leadership and joint problem-solving with community stakeholders.
- Communication: Act as a bridge between the Food Bank’s mission and external partners.
- Narrative & Systems Leadership: Serve as the key driver of the organization’s public voice.
Qualifications
- Experience: 8+ years of executive or senior leadership experience in public policy, community organizing, public health, or nonprofit administration.
- System Knowledge: Deep expertise with California public benefits systems, specifically CalFresh/SNAP outreach guidelines and local county human service networks.
- Political Acumen: Native-level understanding of the San Francisco/Bay Area political landscape and legislative networks.
- Change Management: Proven track record of successfully leading teams through periods of strategic transition.
- Leadership & Soft Skills: Exceptional diplomacy, systems thinking, and emotional intelligence to drive ambitious change while maintaining organizational health.
- Policy Advocacy: Proven experience in state, federal, and local policy advocacy.
- Patient Agility: Ability to drive systemic change while effectively navigating a process-oriented, values-driven organizational culture.
- Communication: Exceptional writing and public speaking skills; able to translate complex data into compelling public messaging.
Required Skills
- Diplomatic Change-Agent who is equally comfortable in City Hall, community meetings, and boardrooms.
- Ability to build coalitions and partnerships needed to turn ideas into action.
- Balance strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and authentic relationship-building.
- Lead with an "accelerate, don’t replace" mindset.
Preferred Skills
- Policy leader and culture builder who thrives in complexity.
- Patience and emotional intelligence to create lasting change.
- Commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
Pay range and compensation package
The salary range is $210,000 – $220,000 and is based on experience. Benefits include:
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Disability & Life: Life and Long-term disability insurance are included.
- Retirement: Sponsored retirement savings plans with employer contributions.
- Time Off: Generous allocation of paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
