Director of  Operations + Enterprise Project Management

 

ABOUT HOT BREAD KITCHEN

Since 2008, Hot Bread Kitchen has empowered New Yorkers who face barriers to economic opportunities through transformative careers in New York City’s food industry. We offer small business development programs, culinary skills training, and job placement, bolstered by individualized wraparound supportive services. Our small business program, HBK Incubates, supports entrepreneurs as they transform their food businesses into sustainable income sources. Culinary Fundamentals, our award-winning culinary training program provides access to high-quality jobs for those starting their careers in the food industry. Our upskilling programs enable incumbent workers to gain further skills leading to higher wages and career advancement. We work diligently alongside our network of over 200 food employer partners and more than 250 nonprofit and government partners to ensure our graduates are set up for success both at home and in their careers.

 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Operations is a member of Hot Bread Kitchen's Leadership Team, reporting to the Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO). This role is responsible for ensuring the organization’s day-to-day operations, facilities, IT infrastructure, and emergency preparedness function smoothly, safely, securely, and in compliance with organizational, regulatory, and funder requirements. Additionally, the role will support the operational component of various real estate and worksite strategy initiatives underway now and in the future. This role focuses on operational execution, process improvement, and risk mitigation, while contributing to strategic planning and decision-making in partnership with the CFOO.

The Director of Operations directly supervises the Senior Manager of Operations, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability. The role balances hands-on problem-solving with forward-looking project management to ensure projects are completed and staff have safe environments, reliable systems, and clear protocols to support their work. While facilities knowledge is helpful, our priority is to hire an experienced senior project manager who is comfortable managing risk, building and improving systems, and supporting people during both routine operations and critical incidents. In-person presence will be required a minimum of 4 days a week, and occasionally in the evenings or on weekends to support completion of projects and handle emergencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations, Facilities, IT & Emergency Management

  • Oversee day-to-day operations across facilities, office operations, security, vendor management, and administrative systems.

  • Ensure facilities operations comply with safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.

  • Maintain and enforce consistent use of Operations trackers and calendars to ensure compliance, and support budget alignment and timely follow-through. 

  • Build on and strengthen existing operational systems and tracking tools to drive continuous improvement.

  • Lead emergency management planning and execution, including development, documentation, and regular review of emergency response, evacuation, shelter-in-place, and business continuity plans.

  • Serve as a primary operational lead during emergencies or critical incidents, coordinating internal communication, facilities response, and vendor support.

  • Oversee organization-wide IT systems and infrastructure, including hardware, software, user access, cybersecurity practices, and IT vendor relationships.

  • Support Operations Team with front desk coverage a minimum of 1 day a week to ensure visitor and security procedures are followed.

Cross-Functional Operations & Compliance

  • Partner with all teams to ensure operational processes support internal controls, compliance, and staff experience.

  • Support planning and preparation for audits, inspections, and compliance reviews related to operations and emergency readiness.

  • Serve as a point of escalation for operational or safety issues requiring cross-department coordination.

Team Leadership & Management

  • Directly supervise the Senior Manager of Operations, setting priorities, managing performance, and supporting professional development.

  • Foster a collaborative, equitable, and service-oriented team culture.

  • As a Leadership Team member, collaborate with Directors across teams to lead and support cross-functional projects, day to day operations, and contribute to Hot Bread Kitchen’s positive and warm culture.

  • Elevate operational risks, capacity needs, and implementation challenges to the Executive Team and develop cross-team systems to improve coordination, clarity, and follow-through.

Budget & Resource Management

  • Partner with the CFOO and Finance team on operations-related budgets and expense monitoring.

  • Oversee vendor contracts, procurement processes, and cost controls related to operations, facilities, IT, and emergency preparedness.

  • Ensure efficient and responsible use of resources in support of organizational goals.

         Strategic Partnership & Execution

  • Serve as a thought partner to the CFOO, providing operational insights, risk assessments, and recommendations to support organizational planning and executive decision-making.

  • Collaborate with the CFOO to lead the annual review and update of organizational policies as part of ongoing risk mitigation and compliance process.

  • Support implementation of organizational priorities, ensuring alignment across Operations, Finance, HR, IT, and program teams.

EXPERIENCE AND  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Strong interest in the mission of Hot Bread Kitchen and a desire to contribute to the positive impact of our organization required.

  • 5–7 years of experience in project management, preferably related to operations, IT or administration required.

  • A minimum of 3 years of people management experience required.

  • Must have the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

  • Demonstrated experience overseeing facilities, safety, emergency preparedness, compliance, or IT systems (directly or through vendors) preferred.

  • Proven ability to partner with senior leadership on planning, execution, and risk management.

  • Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.

  • Familiarity with workplace safety regulations, emergency management planning, and IT service management, preferred.

  • Experience in overseeing kitchen operations is a plus.

  • Experience managing vendors, contracts, or multi-site operations, preferred.

  • Familiarity with Asana or other project management tools is highly preferred.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with internal teams and external agencies required.

  • Must be teamwork oriented but with ability to work independently with minimal guidance.

  • Proficiency in Asana, Salesforce, Slack and Google office solutions is preferred.

OUR VALUES

We are driven by a feeling of commitment to support our members, teammates, and partners as best as we can. Our culture of equity comes from the many cooks in our kitchen and the diversity of perspectives we each bring. We believe that respect goes a long way in making people feel welcome, accepted, and celebrated. We seek out opportunities for connection and become a stronger team by being in community and prioritizing candor over consensus. The pace of our work and velocity of change can be quick; our entrepreneurialism helps us take optimistic risks and pursue inventive solutions.

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

This is a full-time position. Compensation is $100,000-$105,000 depending on experience. Hot Bread Kitchen's comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental insurance (eligible from day one), 401K contributions, paid office closure days  (including holidays and staff appreciation days, and a one-week holiday break at the end of the year), flexible and generous vacation and sick time, paid parental leave, and a sabbatical program (after 5 years of service). Our organizational culture is inclusive, entrepreneurial, flexible, and civically minded (learn more about our culture on hotbreadkitchen.org/careers)

 

LOCATION

This is an in-person position that requires presence at our offices a minimum of 4 days a week. Our offices are located in Chelsea Market in Manhattan. 

To Apply

  • Please include a cover letter and experience-aligned resume including your pronouns. 

  • Apply at Hot Bread Kitchen’s Applicant Tracking System

 

Due to the volume of applications, only complete applications sent via email will be considered. Applications sent via LinkedIn or other third-party sites will not be reviewed.

 

Hot Bread Kitchen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants based on race, religion, color, disability, medical condition, legally protected genetic information, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), age, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. Any applicant with a mental or physical disability who requires an accommodation during the application process should contact hr@hotbreadkitchen.org to request such an accommodation.