Assistant Director of Food Access & Agriculture (FAA) - Greenmarket Operations

Organization Information

GrowNYC is a 55-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include:

• Our network of Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food.
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more.
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FAA - GREENMARKET OPERATIONS (Full-time)

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Greenmarket Operations oversees day-to-day operations for GrowNYC’s 45 farmers' markets throughout the five boroughs of New York City. This role is responsible for advancing operational excellence and program strategy to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of all markets. The Assistant Director oversees operational management, staffing systems, and budget and fiscal management. Reporting to the Director of Food Access & Agriculture, this position will spend time at GrowNYC’s Greenmarket sites and at the GrowNYC office.

Assistant Director of FAA Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):

Operations, Program Management, and Administration

• Oversee market assignments and reservations for 200+ Greenmarket Producers across 45 Greenmarket sites, using GrowNYC’s custom-built FileMaker database.
• Work with the Greenmarket Inspections and Compliance team to develop and guide internal processes for the intake, processing, and approval of Greenmarket Producer applications.
• Work with the Greenmarket Inspections & Compliance team, the FAA Director, and the Farmer & Community Advisory Committee (FCAC) to create, improve, and interpret market rules and regulations, as well as consistent enforcement protocols.
• With assistance from the Greenmarket Administrative Senior Advisor, develop and manage FAA’s FileMaker Database system.
• Advise and supervise appropriate staff coordinating with City agencies, neighborhood partners, and community organizations on all operational aspects of GrowNYC’s food retail locations, including permits, contracts, construction, parking issues, and ongoing logistics.
• Ensure GrowNYC’s adherence to the operations-related terms and conditions of its License Agreement with the NYC Department of Parks.
• Organize and facilitate weekly operations meetings to coordinate communications and logistics amongst market staff.
• Perform administrative duties and attend in-office and virtual staff meetings.
• Attend Community Board and local neighborhood meetings as needed.

Staffing Management and Supervision

• Supervise the Greenmarket Operations & Logistics Manager, five (5) Greenmarket Regional Managers and the Union Square General Manager, including onboarding, training, coaching, and conducting weekly one-on-one meetings.
• Work with the Greenmarket Staffing and Administrative Manager on the Greenmarket staffing plan, scheduling processes, and overall Greenmarket staffing strategy.
• Work conjunctively with Greenmarket Regional Managers, the Union Square General Manager, Greenmarket Staffing & Administrative Manager, and HR to issue Corrective Action Notices (C.A.Ns) and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), as needed.

Program Strategy and Market Development

• Develop and execute an operations and program strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• In collaboration with the FAA Director, drive the strategic direction of Greenmarket operations, including identifying and approving new Greenmarket locations that respond to community and farmer/producer demand and address food access needs.
• Work with the Farm Business and Marketing Specialist on the outreach and recruitment of new farmers and producers, ensuring a streamlined, supportive experience for farmers and producers
• Oversee the development of site selection and sustainability guidelines based on anticipated and established site performance and metrics to optimize responsiveness to neighborhood food access needs, site success, and farmer and producer long-term financial sustainability.
• Work with the FAA Director to build and oversee Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Greenmarket Operations to measure program performance and success.

Budget and Fiscal Management

• Work with the FAA Director to develop and manage Greenmarket's annual operations program budget.
• Work with the FAA Director to provide fiscally sound management of the Greenmarket operations and farmer assistance budgets through responsible oversight and data-driven financial decision-making.
• Work with the FAA Director to develop and maintain a Greenmarket site-by-site fiscal analysis to evaluate individual market success.

Required Qualifications

• Six (6) to eight (8) years of work experience in project management and program development, preferably in an agriculture-related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing staff (preferably supervisory experience similar in scope to current Greenmarket field-based staffing) with a people-centered leadership style and demonstrated ability to manage managers.
• Excellent written and public speaking communication skills, with a desire and proven ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and knowledge levels.
• Demonstrated experience with creating, managing, and monitoring budgets.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, including a willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Highly organized with excellent time management skills and a proactive, results-driven orientation.
• Dispute mediation and conflict management skills.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Agile with the ability to focus on meeting emergent needs and be adaptable to continuous change.
• Strong commitment to a racially and socially just food system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Willingness to travel and work in all neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs of NYC.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to occasionally drive a cargo van.

Ideal Qualifications

• Knowledge of sustainable local agriculture/farming, food systems, food access, and/or food justice.
• Spanish language proficiency (preferred, not required)

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 65 lbs and work outdoors (aiding techniques/tools will be provided for safe lifting upon request), walking, and standing for periods of up to 12 hours, sometimes in extreme temperatures. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Work outdoors and walk and stand for up to 12 hours at a time, sometimes in extreme temperatures.
• Ability to work in a potentially noisy environment.

Schedule

Tuesday through Saturday, with some Sundays required. Work at least one weekend day every week and some holidays.

Compensation

This full-time, exempt, and salaried role pays $100,000 - $115,000 annually, and includes benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, incentive savings plan, paid time off, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, FSA programs, and potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days). This position is not union-eligible/not a part of the bargaining unit.

Location

This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three (3) days per week in our Manhattan office, with a mandatory presence on Wednesdays. In-person field-based work at Greenmarket locations is required.

Applications

Qualified candidates for the Assistant Director of Food Access & Agriculture (FAA) - Greenmarket Operations position should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references.

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis starting Friday, April 10, 2026. Due to the volume of employment applications received, GrowNYC is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls or recruiters or recruiting agencies, please.

Contact

GrowNYC

P.O. Box 2327

New York, NY 10272

212-788-7900

For additional information, please see our website: grownyc.org

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.