The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the leadership and operation of one of America’s largest charities. S/He will have responsibility for a $146 million budget which leverages a $2.7 billion organization, a 256-person staff at the national offices; relationships with 200 food banks throughout the country; developing and maintaining support from over 500 food manufacturers, retailers, corporations and foundations; and, maintaining a strong relationship with the Board of Directors. The CEO must have or be able to quickly develop the knowledge to speak credibly with the highest level strategic donors and in public forums about the issue of hunger.
Areas of Responsibility
S/He will have an experience base to understand and navigate a network-based, federated organization. The CEO will provide leadership to a team of professionals responsible for building and maintaining effective working relationships amongst its nationwide network, community partners, donors, the media, government, and the people the organization serves. S/He will have a proven track record of leading an organization of comparable complexity. The CEO will provide dynamic leadership for Feeding America, building consensus between diverse partners, and developing strategic relationships with external stakeholders. S/He will have the ability to personally, inspirationally and authentically connect to the cause of hunger.
The successful candidate will report to the Board of Directors, and lead Feeding America’s operations. S/He will work to align resources with strategic priorities, and focus the organization on a strong course for the long-term.
- Serve as the chief advocate for Feeding America and its nationwide network.
- Working with the Board of Directors and Executive Team, set annual and long-term strategic and funding priorities with focused execution plans and measurable objectives; exercise fiscal discipline over the investment of the organization’s resources.
- Demonstrate visionary leadership with the ability to clearly define a strong value proposition to the network, partners, media, donors, government, and others.
- Oversee the development of a broad, comprehensive fundraising strategy to include individuals, corporations and foundations; cultivate meaningful personal relationships with major donors, and be active in the solicitation process.
- Provide leadership for the staff and network members via open, two-way communication with the National Council and leadership of the food banks.
- Develop, strengthen, and maintain strategic alliances and relationships with key stakeholders and partners in non-profits, corporations, academia, community-based organizations, educational institutions and government.
- Serve as spokesperson and key influencer for Feeding America on a broad range of issues.
- Construct a streamlined organizational structure that attracts and encourages talented team members to achieve excellence and establish accountability; develop and implement internal policies and procedures that facilitate the success of team members and the organization.
- Create an empowered, energized work environment that encourages open expression of opinions; encourage innovation and risk taking while effectively managing overall risk.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and transparency.
- Lead the effort to develop greater “brand awareness” for Feeding America among existing constituencies, as well as others who are not aware of the organization and its contributions to fight hunger in the U.S.
- Serve as the primary link to the Board of Directors, providing them with advice and information related to the operations of the organization, as well as assistance in their development of policy for the organization.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced degree will be considered a plus.
Skills/Experience
The successful candidate will be a leader with proven relevant executive leadership experience and a track record of supporting dynamic organizations. S/He will be an innovative, strategic thinker with proven leadership, communications, fundraising, advocacy, and relationship-building skills, and will possess strong leadership and management skills. S/He will have proven governance leadership experience with particularly complex governance models.
- A minimum of 15 years of relevant and progressively rising levels of executive leadership experience, and a track record of advancing the agenda for a dynamic, evolving organization.
- Strategic and savvy leader capable of anticipating and addressing significant challenges and opportunities.
- Track record of effectively working with diverse stakeholders to forge an organization’s strategic plan and execute upon that plan with appropriate urgency, timeliness and responsiveness to outline goals, establish metrics and meet benchmarks, and deliver projects on budget.
- Demonstrated experience as spokesperson with wide range of audiences including senior government officials, association and corporate leadership, the media, donors, and the public at large.
- Ability to motivate, empower and grow Feeding America staff including recruiting, hiring, and retaining top caliber professional talent.
- Ability to convene organizations reflecting broad and diverse stakeholders on issues of interest to Feeding America, and to develop coordinated strategies.
- Successful generation of new sources of revenue while managing the operating budget in a cost constrained environment.
- Strong financial management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically regarding future trends and their long-term effect, while at the same time focusing on day-to-day operational issues.
- Outstanding interpersonal and persuasion skills, including the ability to relate well to a wide range of constituencies; outstanding listening skills, with the ability to clearly articulate the message and command the respect of his/her audience.
- High EQ and empathy – humble and approachable; a servant leader; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, multiculturalism and ethics.
- Demonstrated success in positively affecting organization dynamics through energetic leadership, strategic thinking, practical business acumen, and analytical skills.
- Strong executive presence; the ability to inspire, motivate and excite various constituencies.
- Unquestionable integrity, credibility and character, demonstrated high moral and ethical behavior.
- Passionate about the Feeding America mission.
- The courage and conviction to challenge and defend ideas and strategies before opponents; superior analytical skills.
- Collaborative, inclusive leader and team player, collegial, open to partnering with others.