Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Food Services and Child Nutrition Services Department (Posting N172-2627)

POSTING NUMBER : N172-2627

POSTING DATE : November 3, 2026

CLOSING DATE : Until Filled

POSITION : Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Food Services and Child Nutrition Services Department

REPORTS TO : Chief Operating Officer or Designee

SUPERVISES : Provides overall leadership, management, and supervision of the Food and Nutrition Services Department and its programs, including oversight of Director, Assistant Directors, Operations Manager, Accountant, Network Administrator, Field/Operations Managers, Data Specialist, Satellite Manager, Executive Assistant, and other assigned staff.

POSITION SUMMARY : The Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services provides districtwide leadership for Hartford Public Schools school nutrition programs and operations. The Senior Director plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the district’s food and nutrition services in accordance with Hartford Board of Education policy and applicable federal and state requirements. The position is responsible for high-quality meal service, program compliance and accountability, financial stewardship, procurement, food safety, staff leadership and development, nutrition education, and continuous improvement across the district.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

- Plan, organize, direct, and administer districtwide school nutrition programs in accordance with Hartford Board of Education policy, USDA requirements, Connecticut State Department of Education guidance, and other applicable federal and state requirements. - Provide leadership and oversight for school meal operations, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, summer, supper and snack programs, farm to school initiatives, USDA commodities, and other approved child nutrition initiatives; evaluate program effectiveness and implement or recommend improvements. - Coordinate food and nutrition services with instructional, wellness, and student-support initiatives, including nutrition education, student access, special dietary accommodations, and family/community engagement as appropriate. - Lead, supervise, evaluate, and develop assigned management, supervisory, administrative, and school-based nutrition staff; establish clear expectations and ensure required professional development and training. - Partner with Human Resources in the recruitment, selection, placement, onboarding, and training of school food service personnel. - Develop specifications and standards for food, supplies, equipment, and contracted services and oversee competitive purchasing and procurement in accordance with district procedures and applicable child nutrition program requirements. - Prepare and manage the annual Food and Nutrition Services budget; oversee accounting, claims, recordkeeping, cost controls, inventory, allocation of funds, and financial reporting to support fiscal integrity and program sustainability. - Lead continuous improvement efforts that strengthen meal quality, student participation, operational efficiency, customer service, compliance, and equitable access to school nutrition programs. - Provide input on the planning, layout, design, renovation, and improvement of food service facilities and equipment. - Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, employee safety, HACCP-related procedures, required training, and other applicable health and workplace standards. - Maintain accurate program records and submit required federal, state, and district reports; use participation, financial, operational, and quality data to inform recommendations and decision-making. - Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position as assigned. - Directly oversee all aspects of Food Service Department payroll and the point-of-sale system.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE :

- Master’s degree in food service management, nutrition, dietetics, hospitality or institutional management, business administration, education, public administration, or a closely related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including at least three (3) years of leadership experience in K–12 school food service, school nutrition, child nutrition, or a closely related school-based operation; or - Bachelor’s degree in one of the fields identified above and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including at least five (5) years of leadership experience in K–12 school food service, school nutrition, child nutrition, or a closely related school-based operation. - Demonstrated experience leading a large-scale, multi-site food and nutrition operation with significant responsibility for staffing, meal production and service, budgeting, procurement, regulatory compliance, food safety, and customer service. - Strong knowledge of school nutrition operations, USDA child nutrition programs, menu planning and nutrition standards, financial management, procurement, food safety, sanitation, human resources, and staff development. - Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, evaluate performance, manage competing priorities, strengthen systems and processes, and drive continuous operational improvement. - Strong analytical, organizational, communication, collaboration, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to work effectively with school leaders, district departments, employees, families, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners in support of high-quality student nutrition services.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :

- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential preferred; candidates must meet all USDA and Connecticut professional hiring standards applicable to school nutrition program directors. - School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential or comparable school nutrition credential preferred. - Current food protection manager certification required, or ability to obtain within the timeframe established by the district. - Must complete required annual professional standards training for school nutrition program directors and any Connecticut-required onboarding/training for newly appointed directors.

UNION AFFILIATION : Hartford Schools Support Supervisors Association (HSSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : Salary is in accordance with the Hartford Schools Support Supervisors Association’s 2026-2027 C780 Grid with a salary range of $138,828 - $167,301 (12-month work year). Hartford Public Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement benefits; paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; and other applicable fringe benefits in accordance with district policy and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE : To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford. Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email. Upon submission, candidates’ applications and supporting documents will be reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to next steps in the selection process.