Business Development Project Manager

ABOUT US

Rethink Food is a chef-led nonprofit partnering with restaurants to better feed communities.

Through strong partnerships with local restaurants and community-based organizations, we work with a responsive, hyperlocal network that provides culturally celebrated, nutritious meals. Since 2017, we've served over 30 million meals and reinvested more than $142 million into local economies.

Our work falls into three core areas:

• Building the Network: We connect restaurants, community-based organizations, and food donors to deliver meals where they’re needed most.
• Setting the Example: Through our Sustainable Community Kitchen, we demonstrate what dignified, community-centered food access can look like.
• Advocating for Change: We champion policy and systems change to create a more sustainable, equitable food future for all.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Business Development Project Manager is responsible for identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, project managing government and foundation proposal development, including comprehensive budget creation, and building strategic partnerships to expand the organization’s reach, programs, and impact. This role drives organizational growth through the strategic application of grant writing expertise to develop new revenue streams, produce high-quality proposal submissions, and cultivate institutional partnerships across sectors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Development and Strategic Growth

• Support the development and execution of a business development strategy focused on securing new contracts, partnerships, and diversified revenue streams.
• Conduct research on market trends, emerging funding sources, and unmet community needs to inform service expansion opportunities (e.g., medically tailored meals).
• Collaborate with leadership and program teams to scope new initiatives and align service offerings with funder priorities and community needs.

RFP and Grant Writing

• Lead the end-to-end development of responses to local, state, and federal RFPs/RFQs, as well as private and philanthropic grant proposals.
• Coordinate input from finance, programs, and operations staff to develop accurate budgets, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Draft compelling narratives that clearly communicate the organization’s impact, capacity, and alignment with funder goals.
• Manage proposal timelines, ensure compliance with funder requirements, and maintain a calendar of upcoming opportunities and deadline

Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with local governments, healthcare organizations, community-based nonprofits, and philanthropic funders.
• Represent the organization in community forums, planning meetings, and collaborative initiatives related to food security, and health equity.
• Support the development of MOUs, partnership agreements, and collaborative funding proposals.
• Track outcomes and maintain records related to partnerships and joint initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in public administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Health, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit business development, RFP/proposal writing, or partnership management.
• Project management experience required.
• PMP Certification required.
• Demonstrated track record of securing multi-year contracts or major grants ($250K+).
• Proficiency in coordinating cross-functional teams to develop accurate and compelling proposal budgets, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Familiarity with developing MOUs, partnership agreements, and structuring collaborative funding proposals.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission- driven environment.
• Must embrace the mission and core values of Rethink Food.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE: Commitment to embodying our values of -

Inventiveness: At our core, we are relentlessly curious about solving problems. As our name suggests, we’re a team of creative thinkers, but we’re also hands-on doers, challenging norms with humility to find practical solutions that can create lasting change.

Vulnerability: Guided by an “always be better” mindset, we are a team that intentionally reflects on what we are doing well and where we need to improve. We hold ourselves and each other accountable, every day. No blame, no shame — we just want to be sure we’re always doing the right thing.

Thoughtfulness: Our vision for a nourished and thriving world starts with nourished and thriving individuals in each of our communities. Our work is centered on the needs of the people that bring our communities to life. We don’t pretend to have all of the answers. We are committed to listening and learning in order to identify and scale solutions that ensure stable and reliable access to healthy food for all so each and every community can thrive.

Kindness: At Rethink, we show up every day with empathy and compassion and believe everyone should be treated with dignity. Kindness goes a long way — we are all about just being kind

COMPENSATION

The annual salary range for this position is $75k - $90k, depending on experience and education. We also offer a complete benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays, two weeks per year for an organization-wide office closure to recharge, a retirement plan, free nutritious lunch at our Sustainable Community Kitchen and a progressive parental leave plan.

HOW TO APPLY

While a degree, certification, and work experience are a plus, we recognize that other life and work experiences may also prepare you for this role. Additionally, research has shown that women and people from underrepresented groups may not apply for jobs if they do not meet 100% of the job qualifications. Please know that no candidate has 100% of the listed job qualifications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this position if you believe you can complete the responsibilities.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. However, we have an immediate need to fill the position. Please submit your application online.

EEO STATEMENT

Rethink Food is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.