Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Nutrition Program Manager

💰 $75,000 - $110,000

HealthcareProgram ManagementNon-ProfitWellnessPublic Health

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a passionate and strategic Nutrition Program Manager to spearhead our organization's health and wellness initiatives. This dynamic role is perfect for a leader who is adept at translating nutritional science into accessible, impactful community programs. You will be the architect and overseer of all nutrition-related services, responsible for everything from strategic planning and budget management to staff leadership and quality assurance. The ideal candidate will thrive on building relationships with community partners, ensuring regulatory compliance, and using data to continuously improve program effectiveness and reach. If you are a visionary leader dedicated to improving public health through nutrition, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Registered Dietitian (RD) / Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
  • Community Health Educator
  • Clinical Nutrition Manager
  • Public Health Nutritionist

Advancement To:

  • Director of Nutrition Services
  • Senior Program Director
  • Director of Clinical and Wellness Programs
  • Regional Health Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Wellness Consultant
  • Public Health Policy Advisor
  • Healthcare Administrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, implement, and oversee all aspects of comprehensive nutrition programs, ensuring they align with organizational objectives and meet the evolving needs of the target community.
  • Develop and manage the annual program budget, including resource allocation, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
  • Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of nutritionists, dietitians, and program staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
  • Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with community partners, healthcare providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to enhance program reach and impact.
  • Conduct ongoing needs assessments and data analysis to identify nutritional gaps and trends within the community, using findings to inform program strategy and development.
  • Ensure all nutrition programs and services strictly adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as professional standards of care (e.g., USDA, CACFP, WIC guidelines).
  • Lead the development and dissemination of evidence-based nutrition education materials, curricula, and health promotion resources for various audiences.
  • Direct quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives to monitor program effectiveness, client satisfaction, and health outcomes.
  • Create and implement comprehensive program evaluation plans, including defining key performance indicators (KPIs), collecting data, and generating detailed reports for funders and leadership.
  • Serve as the primary subject matter expert on nutrition and dietetics for the organization, providing guidance and consultation to internal teams and external partners.
  • Plan and coordinate community outreach events, workshops, and health fairs to promote nutritional awareness and increase program enrollment.
  • Manage grant-funded projects, including overseeing proposal writing, ensuring grant deliverables are met, and completing all required programmatic reporting.
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures that guide the delivery of consistent, high-quality nutrition counseling and education services.
  • Oversee the procurement of food, supplies, and equipment for nutrition programs, managing vendor relationships and inventory to support operational needs.
  • Provide direct nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for complex cases or as needed to support program staff.
  • Stay current with emerging research, trends, and best practices in nutrition science, public health, and program management to drive innovation.
  • Lead interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate client care and ensure a holistic approach to health and wellness.
  • Act as a key spokesperson for the organization's nutrition initiatives, representing the program at conferences, community meetings, and in the media.
  • Manage client data and program records with a high degree of confidentiality and accuracy, utilizing electronic health records (EHR) or other data management systems.
  • Mentor junior staff and dietetic interns, providing professional guidance and contributing to the development of the next generation of nutrition professionals.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist the development and grants team in identifying new funding opportunities and contributing to grant writing efforts.
  • Represent the organization on relevant advisory boards, coalitions, and community task forces to advocate for health equity.
  • Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to develop compelling content that highlights program successes and client stories.
  • Support cross-departmental projects and initiatives that align with the organization's broader strategic health goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Program Development & Evaluation: Expertise in designing, implementing, and assessing the impact of health programs using established frameworks.
  • Budget Management & Financial Acumen: Proficiency in creating and managing budgets, tracking expenses, and financial reporting.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Deep knowledge of healthcare privacy laws (HIPAA) and regulations governing nutrition programs (e.g., USDA, WIC, CACFP).
  • Nutritional Assessment & MNT: Advanced skills in clinical assessment, medical nutrition therapy, and developing individualized care plans.
  • Grant Writing & Management: Experience in writing grant proposals, managing grant-funded projects, and completing funder reports.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to use data to drive decisions, track KPIs, and create insightful reports using software like Excel, SPSS, or data visualization tools.
  • Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems: Proficiency with EHR/EMR platforms for charting, billing, and data management.
  • Curriculum Development: Skill in creating engaging, evidence-based educational materials for diverse populations.
  • Project Management Methodologies: Familiarity with project management tools and techniques to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
  • Supervisory & Training Skills: Proven ability to train, supervise, and evaluate clinical and non-clinical staff effectively.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Motivation: Inspiring and guiding a team toward a common goal while fostering a positive and supportive culture.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-term plans.
  • Communication & Public Speaking: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Interpersonal & Relationship Building: Adept at building rapport and trust with clients, staff, and community partners.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to identify challenges, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions.
  • Adaptability & Flexibility: Thriving in a dynamic environment and effectively managing changing priorities.
  • Cultural Competency & Empathy: Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
  • Advocacy & Persuasion: Skillfully advocating for program needs, client health, and public health policy changes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.
  • Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Public Health (MPH), Nutrition Science, Health Administration, or a closely related field.
  • State licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist (LD/LDN), where required.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Dietetics
  • Public Health
  • Healthcare Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5-7 years of progressive experience in the field of nutrition, public health, or community health, with a demonstrated track record of success.

Preferred:
At least 3 years of experience in a program management, supervisory, or leadership role, including responsibility for staff supervision, budget management, and program development. Experience working in a non-profit or community-based setting is highly desirable.

Explore More Careers