Executive Director

The Good Food Foundation (GFF) exists to celebrate, connect, empower and leverage the passionate and engaged, yet often overlooked, players in the food system who are driving towards tasty, authentic and responsible food in order to humanize and reform our American food culture. The Board of Directors is looking for a highly skilled Executive Director to help us fulfill our 10 year vision: to support an ever-growing, diverse community of small sustainable food businesses in pursuit of their goals by creating a flourishing network of fellow makers, retailers, and values-driven consumers. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee the strategic and operational goals of our four programs.  

Objectives & Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to assess and address issues affecting the organization; and create business plans for achieving goals and objectives
• Meet aggressive annual fundraising goals, in partnership with Board of Directors, by securing financial support from foundations, corporations, individual donors, and government funding sources; and develop an actionable plan for managing monthly cash flow
• Oversee steady impact and budgets of four core programs, drawing upon existing and creating new relationships to maximize impact and ensure cost efficiencies and ongoing financial viability of each program
• Identify and address staffing requirements for efficient operations, community engagement, and fundraising; and maintain a strong work culture that attracts and retains talent while driving GFF’s mission
• Serve as the face and media liaison of the organization; and participate in external F&B industry events to increase visibility and credibility; and develop strategic national partnerships to further increase community awareness
• Oversee daily operations of the organization, providing executive direction for program strategies and efficiencies, compliance, and quality assurance
• Create a culture of inclusivity internally and externally; and set ambitious targets for increasing diversity among the GFF staff and broader community

Program Overview

• The Good Food Awards: For a long time, certifications for responsible practices and awards for superior taste have remained distinct – one honors social and environmental responsibility, while the other celebrates craftsmanship and flavor. The Good Food Awards, which garners nearly 2,000 entries from all 50 states a year, recognizes that truly good food – the kind that brings people together and builds strong, healthy communities – contains all of these ingredients.

• The Good Food Mercantile(s): Historically held three times a year, the Mercantile is the Good Food Movement’s answer to building commerce and community. Traditional trade shows typically convene tens of thousands of buyers, many not prepared to work with businesses whose core aspirations don’t include unbridled growth. Instead, the Mercantile is an opportunity for thoughtful, responsible American food crafters to connect with the growing community of retailers that value quality, care and craftsmanship.

• The Good Food Guild: The Guild fosters, distinguishes and unites tasty, authentic and responsible food crafters, offering concrete support for their businesses and amplifying the impact of their individual choices to do what’s right rather than what’s easy. A variety of benefits await the 600 values-based businesses that join the Guild; historically, the chief benefit has been the opportunity to participate in Good Food Mercantiles.

• The Good Food Merchants Alliance: Fifty percent of Americans’ food dollars are spent in grocery stores, yet few people think about the important role merchants play in building healthy food systems. With a rapidly evolving and consolidating retail landscape, it is imperative that grocers committed to stocking truly good food come together to support each other and the communities they serve. Members of the Good Food Merchants Alliance at all monetary levels – Supporter, Sustainer, and Collaborative – have both structured and informal opportunities to meet, connect and learn from each other.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience in senior management, preferably with nonprofit organizations
• Strong experience in event production, public relations, marketing, and fundraising
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles for nonprofit organizations
• Proven success working with a Board of Directors
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with innovative approach to business planning
• Dynamic and charismatic team player who enjoys being the public face of an organization
• Experience in managing budgets
• Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Deep understanding of food systems
• Broad network of collaborators in the craft food and beverage community
• Willingness and ability to travel 25-30% of the year

Compensation

• Salaried, $150,000-$175,000
• Competitive Benefits

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Email boardofdirectors@goodfoodfdn.org

Please email your resume along with a cover letter attention to the Good Food Foundation Board of Directors no later than July 31, 2024.