Deputy Director of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Position Available 

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) seeks a highly skilled and motivated individual to join the organization as a Deputy Director of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). FRAC is the nation’s leading policy and advocacy organization dedicated to fighting hunger. FRAC works to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To attain this mission, FRAC engages in research, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance and training, and an array of communications strategies. In partnership with hundreds of national, state, and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations, schools, and labor organizations, FRAC works to eradicate hunger, food insecurity and address poverty and other root causes of hunger. This position is remote; however, we are seeking a candidate based in the Washington, D.C., area to attend meetings, events and Hill visits as needed. Occasional out-of-state travel will be required.

The Deputy Director will play a leadership role within the Child Nutrition Programs and Policy unit, working closely with the Director of the unit to develop, meet, and track FRAC’s WIC goals. This position will assist in providing strategic oversight and direction, ensuring the department’s success and alignment with broader organization objectives. The Deputy Director will advocate for continuous improvements to WIC that will make it more efficient and utilized by more eligible people. The Deputy Director will also serve as the principal investigator for FRAC’s USDA funded WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) project.

Essential Functions/Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Director in the development and implementation of FRAC’s strategic initiatives to enhance the WIC program’s mission, impact and growth.
• Maintain FRAC’s position as a leading national authority on WIC while advocating to strengthen and expand the program with an equity lens.
• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of FRAC’s WIC team, including staff supervision, workflow coordination, and resource allocation.
• Engage and support successful WIC advocacy for FRAC’s network of state and anti-hunger organizations and program operators by providing technical assistance, resources, training, network building and materials.
• Lead advocacy and implementation efforts to strengthen and improve access to WIC.
• Represent FRAC (virtually and in-person) at key WIC-related coalition meetings, conferences and Hill briefings, hearings and lobby visits.
• Other duties as assigned.

Principal Investigator of the WIC CIAO Project

• Serve as Principal Investigator for the WIC CIAO project, providing strategic oversight of staff and grant deliverables and leveraging learnings for systems and policy change.
• Attend key WIC CIAO meetings, ensuring proper representation of the project’s goals and strategies.
• Review and approve WIC CIAO project proposals, reports, materials, toolkits, and other deliverables.
• Coordinate with the finance team to provide support, financial oversight and budget review of the project.

Requirements and qualifications

• Master's degree required, with Registered Dietitian (RD) preferred.
• Expert on WIC and at least 5 years working on WIC or anti-hunger advocacy or policy.
• Experience working on federal grants is preferred.
• Strong leadership skills and experience supervising staff.
• Very strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical research skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong detail-oriented planning and implementation skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Understanding of hunger and poverty and their impact on communities, families, and individuals.
• Ability to seek solutions independently and work well as part of a team.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Commitment to working for social justice.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $97,900 - $122,300; excellent health, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits; generous leave; enthusiastic and supportive staff.

To Apply

Click here to submit a résumé, a brief writing sample (no more than three pages), and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience. 

No phone calls please. 

Opening/Closing Dates

The position is available immediately. It will close when filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible. 

FRAC is especially interested in candidates with lived expertise with hunger or poverty who can contribute to the diversity of the organization. 

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.