Chief Executive Officer, Food Equity Initiative

The Food Equity Initiative is looking for a Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the Board of Directors (currently 11 members) and they support the CEO. The CEO is responsible for keeping the Board and Board Chair fully informed on an ongoing basis of the condition of the organization and any other important factors affecting operations. The CEO oversees and manages organization staff (including, but not limited to, full-time VP of Operations, Creative and Marketing Director, Education Coordinator, Development Director, Grants Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant who all work remotely) as well as any contract and volunteer personnel. In addition, the CEO serves as primary liaison to Board Committees (currently Executive/Finance, Development, Research and Advocacy, Client Advocacy). The CEO also liaises with and supports the activities of FEI’s Medical Advisory Board.

Position Summary

The CEO is the chief strategy officer, providing the direction and plan for the organization. The CEO is responsible for overseeing all administrative, financial, and operational aspects of daily organization management. These include business operations–including contract negotiations and business partner deals, fundraising, communications/public relations/marketing–including contributions to peer-reviewed publications, fiscal resource management, and staff supervision.

Successful relationship building with internal and external audiences is a critical competency to fulfilling objectives. The CEO must establish credibility with the Board, staff, key volunteers, and donors to be an effective leader and developer of solutions to meet challenges and maximize opportunities. This position is full-time and leads a remote team; salary commensurate with experience, $100,000-$110,000 starting annual salary.

Key Responsibilities

• CEO primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to
• Operational Leadership and Strategic Oversight
• Develop an annual budget and strategic plan for presentation to the Board to achieve programmatic and fundraising objectives.
• Drives the organization to make consistent progress; track and report regularly to the Board.
• Ensure that official records and documents are maintained as well as compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and requirements.
• Through inspired leadership, create a culture that values teamwork and accountability

• Fundraising and Development

• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate and supervise a variety of on-going fundraising activities and programs, including but not limited to: annual fundraising events, prospect research, foundation relationships and grant submissions, individual gift solicitation, corporate sponsorships, direct mail, e-philanthropy, and third-party fundraisers.
• Oversee the recruitment of event chairs, fundraising volunteers, and others to assist with development efforts.
• Research, identify, cultivate and solicit new donors (corporate/individual/foundation).
• Build external relationships that result in enhanced revenues.
• Assure effective stewardship to retain current donors and deepen their level of engagement.
• Monitor and enhance systems and processes relating to donor and volunteer management, prospect research, gift processing and recognition/acknowledgement; ensure appropriate data entry of donor/gift information into the CRM database to enable meaningful reports.
• Ensure that fundraising initiatives articulate the mission of FEI in a way that extends the brand, reach, and financial support of the organization.

Governance and Board Relations

• Assist the Board chair in the development of meeting agendas and ensure timely distribution of materials for meetings including accurate financial statements and reports of activity.
• Ensure Board engagement with regular and meaningful communication.
• Liaise with Board committees to provide strategic thought leadership and organizational insights.
• Develop up-to-date recruitment materials for outreach; assist in the identification of prospects and recruitment efforts.
• Ensure a process for Board orientation and consistent communication of Board roles/responsibilities.

Communications and Marketing

• Identify and secure opportunities to make appearances and presentations to organizations, groups, and media to raise awareness, promote FEI, and facilitate fundraising programs.
• Develop high-quality proposals and solicitation materials to build new and upgrade existing donor/sponsor partnerships.
• Develop and oversee the cadence of regular communication to donors and other stakeholders, including but not limited to online newsletters, direct mail, annual reports, and social media accounts. Track and report on the status and growth of external audiences.
• Ensure that the organization website accurately reflects the current status and activities of the organization, including all sponsor recognition.

Experience/Skills/Qualifications

The position of Chief Executive Officer requires an inspirational philanthropic leader with experience as a senior executive possessing a significant track record of partnership building and fundraising. The successful candidate is energetic and enthusiastic, a results-oriented strategic thinker, with an appropriate blend of interpersonal and analytical skills enabling effective communication with a variety of audiences. The CEO is motivated by the mission and brand of Food Equality Initiative to lead the organization to achieve its goals. Specific experience and skills include:

• A proven track record of results including six-figure gifts, corporate sponsorship, and foundation giving which include supporting donor strategies, solicitation approaches, and donor stewardship.
• Ability to build consensus and relationships among executives, partners, and the workforce.
• Research and peer-reviewed publication experience
• Proven negotiation skills
• Strong planning and analytical skills, and proven experience in developing and effectively implementing an organization-wide strategic plan.
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written, effective across a variety of constituencies including donors, volunteers, corporate, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work closely with Board, staff, and volunteers
• Experience in the development and implementation of budgets and budget management
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or fundraising certification preferred
• A minimum 7-10 years post-college work experience, at least 5-7 years in a development/advancement role and 3+ years in a development management position
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM database required; e-communications platforms and graphic experience a plus
• Ability to work outside standard business hours and to travel occasionally
• Must have valid driver’s license and auto insurance when the position requires an employee to operate a motor vehicle in connection with executing the position responsibilities, which include driving to/from organization events and meetings
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CONTACT INFORMATION

Food Equality Initiative is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants should submit a resume/CV and cover letter to contact@foodequalityinitiative.org. No phone calls, please.