President, Response Operations

The President of Response Operations leads WCK's Response, the operational arm of World Central Kitchen Inc (WCK), with a singular mission: to deliver operational excellence in rapid humanitarian response. Drawing upon extensive operational experience in challenging frontline environments— such as emergency management, military emergency or logistics operations, offshore oil rig operations, or complex international logistics—this leader ensures exceptional crisis response capacity, operational rigor, and strategic foresight. The role includes strategic oversight of frontline response operations,  security and a global, omnichannel support team providing continuous (24x7) operational assistance to frontline teams.

This role is at the helm of a newly restructured, frontline-centric organization grounded in proximity, innovation, and community participation. The executive will bring WCK's operational capabilities directly to the frontlines and communities, ensuring responsiveness, agility, and deep local engagement during crises. The President will serve as a strategic builder, team unifier, and cultural steward, championing WCK’s values while integrating cross-functional support to elevate and sustain field operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead and oversee the Response Operations, ensuring alignment with WCK’s mission and transformational roadmap.
• Operationalize WCK’s frontline-first strategy, empowering teams to activate rapid, high-impact relief efforts in diverse global contexts.
• Build out and scale a regional response framework, emphasizing flexibility, community leadership, and catalytic response models.

Team Development & Culture

• Recruit, lead, and support a global, multidisciplinary team across five core functions: Response Operations, Response Support, Community Response, Safety & Security, and People Operations.
• Foster a culture of autonomy, collaboration, and accountability, with a focus on local empowerment and frontline leadership.
• Support and model WCK’s “train-the-trainer” and community-led capacity building approach, creating systems that sustain long-term local ownership.

Operational Excellence

• Design and implement scalable, responsive systems to complement field logistics, supply chain, culinary operations, and community outreach.
• Oversee the integration of supporting departments (finance, tech, HR, data) to serve as responsive extensions of the field team.
• Utilize WCK's adaptable “playbook” model to maintain operational flexibility without rigid SOPs, emphasizing agility and real-time learning.
• Ensure consistent deployment readiness and cross-functional alignment for rapid global activations.
• Lead sophisticated logistical operations analogous to those found in military, oil platform, or global complex logistics environments, ensuring maximum operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee and optimize a global omnichannel support network, ensuring 24x7 availability, responsiveness, and seamless integration with frontline operations.
• Implement robust communication and technology infrastructure to facilitate real-time, multi-channel support (voice, messaging, digital) to frontline teams.
• Establish operational metrics and service standards for omnichannel support, ensuring proactive management of field operations, resource deployment, and operational continuity.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in global support practices, leveraging best practices from sectors experienced in 24x7 global operational support (e.g., energy, logistics, crisis response).

Risk Management & Governance

• Collaborate with Safety & Security and Compliance teams to mitigate operational risk.
• Lead through complex, high-pressure environments, balancing tactical execution with strategic foresight.
• Ensure all operations comply with local, national, and international laws and WCK’S humanitarian principles.

Cross-Entity Collaboration

• Partner with the Global Governance and Growth Leadership team to ensure integrated operations, shared learning, and coordinated strategy.
• Contribute to governance design during WCK’s transformation from an organization to a global ecosystem.
• Represent the Response Operations  at the executive level and with the Board as needed.
  

Application & Cover Letter
This application requires a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and in working for WCK.

References and Background Checks
To help ensure the safety of our communities and our teams, our selection process will include reference and background checks, subject to any legal or regulatory requirements.

Equal Opportunity
WCK is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity and to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time.

E-Verify
For US based employment, WCK participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. Please view the E-Verify posters here with important information.

Para empleados en los EEUU, WCK participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU.. Los empleadores sólo pueden utilizar E-Verify una vez que usted haya aceptado una oferta de trabajo y completado el Formulario I-9. Haz clic aquí para ver los carteles de E-Verify con información importante.

No recruiters or agencies, please.

• 15+ years of senior operational leadership experience (e.g., COO-level), with a strong track record managing complex, global operations.
• Proven experience building and leading multidisciplinary global teams, ideally in decentralized or field-first environments.
• Proven operational expertise gained in frontline, austere, or high-risk environments (e.g., military logistics, offshore oil platforms, international disaster response).
• Demonstrated success in crisis response, logistical planning, risk mitigation, and rapid operational scaling.
• Deep knowledge of community-based response models, grassroots leadership, and participatory development practices.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in austere, high-stress environments with resilience and decisiveness.
• Experience with integrating operational support functions (HR, tech, finance) into fluid, field-oriented structures.
• Proven experience leading global, 24x7 operational support teams, preferably in complex, frontline-oriented or global environments (e.g., energy, logistics, emergency services, global retail).
• Deep expertise in omnichannel operational frameworks, including technology infrastructure, crisis communication systems, and real-time monitoring platforms.
• Demonstrated capability to implement performance standards, metrics, and continuous improvement frameworks in a global support context.
• Track record of effectively managing global, multilingual, and culturally diverse operational teams delivering 24-hour support.

ZERO Premiums: WCK covers 100% of insurance premiums for employees and their dependents, including medical, dental, vision, and group life coverage. Benefits begin on your date of hire.

• Voluntary Benefits:
•  Options include:
• Additional Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental AD&D
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care and Health Care)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan:
•  WCK offers a 50% match up to 8% of employee salary deferrals, beginning within 30 days of hire.
• Life & Disability Insurance:
•  100% employer-sponsored group life and disability insurance provided within 30 days.
• Paid Time Off (PTO):
•  Responsible PTO, including vacation, sick, and personal leave, plus paid holidays.
• Growth Opportunities:
•  Learning and development support to grow your career.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
•  Free and confidential support for life’s challenges.
• Annual Salary Reviews and additional benefits outlined in the Personnel Manual.

Salary Range: $290,000 - $320,000 USD Per Year