Director of Nutrition Services

Director of Nutrition Services (DNS)The Director of Nutrition Services (DNS) is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical management of the organization's nutrition and dietary programs. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, interdisciplinary nutrition services that address the nutritional, educational, and healthcare needs of patients, program participants, and community members in alignment with organizational goals and program objectives.As an active nutrition services provider, the DNS oversees the integration and administration of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational excellence, quality improvement, community engagement, and positive maternal and child health outcomes. The Director serves as a collaborative leader dedicated to advancing equitable, culturally responsive healthcare services for diverse and underserved populations.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesEnsure the delivery of comprehensive nutrition assessments, education, breastfeeding counseling, and referrals to healthcare and social service resources.Collaborate with healthcare providers and interdisciplinary care teams to coordinate services for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and children.Support evidence-based nutrition and breastfeeding initiatives aligned with public health standards and organizational goals.Monitor participant satisfaction and address concerns promptly and professionally.Provide direct patient care through nutrition assessments, counseling, and medical nutrition therapy for pediatric, adult, prenatal, and geriatric populations.Develop individualized nutrition care plans for patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other nutrition-related disorders.Collaborate with physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.Document patient encounters, assessments, and care plans within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system according to organizational standards.Promote preventive health initiatives through nutrition education and wellness counseling.Direct and oversee all nutrition services across the organization.Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, quality standards, and evidence-based practices.Monitor productivity, patient outcomes, and quality improvement initiatives.Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and accreditation standards.Establish strategic goals and operational plans to support departmental growth and effectiveness.Direct and manage all aspects of WIC program operations.Ensure compliance with USDA WIC regulations, New York State Department of Health requirements, FQHC standards, and other regulatory agencies.Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and workflows that support effective program delivery.Establish program goals, performance metrics, and quality improvement initiatives.Monitor participant enrollment, retention, outreach efforts, satisfaction, and program outcomes.Manage program budgets, expenditures, staffing levels, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and maintenance of participant records in compliance with HIPAA regulations.Coordinate audits, site visits, state reviews, and monitoring activities.Build and strengthen community partnerships that support maternal, infant, and child health initiatives.Recruit, supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate nutrition and WIC staff.Lead onboarding, continuing education, and professional development initiatives.Conduct regular staff meetings and performance evaluations.Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment focused on employee engagement and patient-centered care.Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous quality improvement.Develop and implement outreach strategies to increase WIC enrollment and participant retention.Establish and maintain partnerships with hospitals, OB/GYN providers, pediatric practices, schools, shelters, and community-based organizations.Promote awareness of WIC services, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and maternal-child wellness programs.Participate in community health fairs, public health initiatives, and outreach events.Collaborate with external stakeholders to improve community nutrition and wellness outcomes.Maintain readiness for audits, site reviews, and state monitoring visits.Analyze program data, reports, and outcomes to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, organizational, and accreditation requirements.Develop and implement corrective action plans as needed and monitor compliance activities.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential required.New York State Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (CDN) credential required.Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in nutrition services, clinical nutrition, or public health nutrition.Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience.Strong knowledge of USDA WIC regulations, maternal-child health practices, nutrition education, and community health programming.Demonstrated leadership, staff supervision, and program management experience.Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.Proficiency with Electronic Medical Record (EMR/EHR) systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and data reporting platforms.Core CompetenciesLeadership and team developmentRegulatory compliance and quality assuranceCommunity engagement and outreachCultural competency and patient-centered careStrategic planning and operational managementData analysis and performance improvementTechnology proficiency and digital health systemsInterdisciplinary collaborationPreferred QualificationsMaster's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.Bilingual in Spanish or Haitian Creole.Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), community health center, public health agency, or safety-net healthcare organization.Experience managing or overseeing a WIC program.Experience serving diverse and underserved populations.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position directly supervises nutrition services staff, WIC program personnel, department managers, and administrative support staff.Work EnvironmentPrimarily office-based with extensive computer use.Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with multiple priorities and regulatory requirements.Frequent interaction with executive leadership, clinical teams, program staff, community partners, and regulatory agencies.Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support audits, reporting deadlines, outreach events, and organizational initiatives.