Founded in 1978, Youth Action Programs and Homes, Inc. a.k.a. Youth Action YouthBuild (YAYB) is an East Harlem youth and community development organization, primarily focused on offering low income, out-of-school, out-of-work, young adults opportunities to complete their education and gain skills and credentials leading to sustainable careers. YAYB currently provides training in the areas of Food economy jobs, and careers in the Construction and Building Operations sectors.  In addition, YAYB is committed to the development and preservation of low income housing for formerly homeless families and individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS in the East Harlem area.

Title:                     Refettorio Harlem General Manager (GM)

Location:                                    New York, NY (Harlem)

Reports to:                                 Executive Director

Employment Type:                   FT

Salary:  Competitive/Commensurate with experience along with paid medical, dental, vision benefits and access to non-contributing 401(k) fund.

Program Description:

Refettorio Harlem is a dynamic new initiative of Youth Action YouthBuild developed in partnership with the international nonprofit Food for Soul. The Refettorio will bring to the Harlem community a resource that shines a light on food insecurity and engages community resources to address inequity.  By building community spaces where people are invited to connect around a meal, Refettorio Harlem will be a space that demonstrates the value and the potential in all things and encourages the community to advocate for systemic change.

The word Refettorio comes from the Latin reficere, meaning ‘to re-make’, but also ‘to restore’. With the help of different partners, we restore and renovate neglected or underused spaces transforming them into inspiring community living spaces where people in situations of social vulnerability can feel welcome, and where the community can rediscover the value of the abandoned and the potential behind food surplus. By involving chefs, food suppliers, artists and designers we aim to empower a local network of actors to create an inclusive and conscious community.

About Youth Action YouthBuild: . YAYB will be the operating partner, overseeing the Refettorio Harlem and the accompanying Good Food Jobs training program that will expand with this new location.

Position Summary:

The primary job duties of the GM are leading the day-to-day planning, opening, and ongoing operations of Refettorio Harlem, opening in 2020.  The GM will act as senior administrator, coordinating, managing and overseeing phases of the Refettorio development in conjunction with Youth Action YouthBuild and Food for Soul. You will work closely with the YAYB Executive Director and Board, Refettorio Advisory committees and Food for Soul staff. The GM will be responsible for meeting the milestones to launch the project and oversee the transition to ongoing day to day operation including administration, coordination and management of Refettorio Harlem, meeting key impact goals.

This role is best suited for an individual experienced in tactical management of high profile cultural projects and managing budgets that exceed a million dollars. The GM possesses exemplary communications, emotional intelligence with a passion for excellence. 

DUTIES

1. Candidate Responsibilities During Development and Launch of Project

• Assist the project management lead in coordination of:
  • Development and launch plan
  • Project plan and launch milestones
  • Permits, Certifications, Service Letter Agreements
• Establish nonprofit partnerships to support on-going program services (meal program, community services and cultural programming)
• Support HR recruitment and onboarding of key Refettorio staff
• Execute capital budget and operations budget, bookkeeping
• Implement communications strategy and support press relations with Youth Action YouthBuild and Food for Soul

2          Post Launch Responsibilities

• Opening and closing of the facility
• Developing, tracking and reconciling operating budgets in consultation with YAYB and Food for Soul
• Hiring, Supervising and Managing Refettorio personnel, including staff schedule
• Developing and managing program partners, as well as serving as primary liaison to the site owner (Emmanuel AME)
• Overseeing Compliance with local laws and grant requirements
• Overseeing Guest services, referrals and volunteers program
• Meeting and follow-up with funders, potential sponsors and other stakeholders
• Act as a liaison between the partner organizations, Food for Soul and Youth Action YouthBuild
• Other duties as assigned

Relevant Professional Qualifications

• Undergraduate Degree with relevant work experience that demonstrates progressive responsibilities
• 2+ years working in a nonprofit setting in a diverse community, or relevant philanthropic or advisory experience in such settings.
• Volunteer experience working in nonprofit organizations
• 3+ years’ experience, in the management of community programs
• + years supervisory experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of food recovery, surplus and food waste management
• Experience managing food budget or foodservice business back of house operations financials

Key Experience

• Managing teams, independent contractors, and program partners
• Experience in working with volunteer programs and civic sector
• Coordinating program development for a food focused initiative, hospitality management
• Managing bookkeeping associated with capital campaign budgets and annual operational budgets
• Managing and leading community programming that serves socially vulnerable beneficiaries
• Managing food based initiatives addressing food systems sustainability, food security, heath and equity.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Self-starter: To grow from small nonprofit to scalable social enterprise, the organization requires a highly motivated and ambitious individual leading project operations and scaffolding our success.
• Multi-tasker: This position requires wearing several hats each week. Are you experienced advancing multiple projects toward a collective mission?
• Experience, not just passion: Do you bring knowledge of program and project management and business operations? We need a candidate able to teach us, and take the lead on their own learning advancement.
• Highly organized: Are you able to create and manage systems that new employees can easily learn? As we scale, we need a leader who can create a sustainable, internal operating structure.

PROGRAM HOURS Monday through Fridays, with operating hours to be determined, Occasional weekend and overnight hours may be required.