Executive Director, Foodshed Alliance

FOODSHED ALLIANCE

Executive Director – Job Opportunity

📍 Based in New Jersey | Reports to the Board of Trustees

About Us

The Foodshed Alliance is an 18-year-old nonprofit organization based in Warren County, New Jersey dedicated to strengthening our local food system through education, advocacy, programs, and strategic partnerships. Since 2007 we have been working to ensure access to healthy, local food while supporting sustainable farming practices, protecting the environment and its vibrant communities in New Jersey.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) will provide visionary leadership, operational oversight, and oversee all development and fundraising activities to advance our mission. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the ED will champion farmers and sustainable growing practices, ensure the quality of all programs that translate the organization's mission into measurable goals and activities, attract and manage financial resources, strengthen community partnerships, and inspire a high-performing team to achieve strategic goals. The ED will effectively communicate the mission, vision, and impact of the Foodshed Alliance to diverse audiences including funders, partners, policymakers, and the public.

The Current Context

We are at an important juncture in the Foodshed Alliance’s history. The founding Executive Director stepped down after a successful 18-year tenure marked by organizational growth, expanded outreach, and financial stability. The board seeks a new Executive Director with food system/farming/agricultural operations knowledge who will build on this groundwork, sustain organizational integrity, and lead with vision in a time of increased need for support for farmers and collaboration in the food system.

Key Responsibilities

Mission & Strategy

• Lead implementation of the strategic plan to achieve organizational goals.
• Serve as primary spokesperson and representative in the community.
• Expand visibility through media, marketing, and strategic partnerships.

Financial Leadership

• Set and meet annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Oversee budgeting, cash flow, and resource allocation.
• Cultivate and steward donors, corporate, foundation, and agency relationships.

Operations & Management

• Manage day-to-day operations and ensure efficient policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain an effective organizational structure.
• Support programs and fiscal sponsorship activities with appropriate resources.

Team Leadership

• Experience fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability, and empowerment, ensuring team members feel valued, encouraged, heard, and motivated to drive impact.
• Recruit, develop, and evaluate a talented team.
• Set clear performance metrics and provide ongoing feedback.

Board Management

• Work with the Board Chair to ensure board member activity and involvement.
• Prepare financial and programmatic reports.
• Assist in the board recruiting and nomination process.
• Support board through development of strategic plans, policies, and priorities.
• Bring appropriate issues and policy decisions to the board in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leadership and management experience in a nonprofit setting and working with the board of trustees.
• Proficiency in developing and managing budgets including experience with budget development, monitoring, and reporting. Experience managing a budget in excess of $1 million from diverse funding streams.
• Strong fundraising, marketing and public relations experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of sustainable local food systems.
• Requires a minimum of three days per week in the office, along with regular engagement in the community to build relationships with farmers, funders, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Compensation & Benefits: $95,000 – $105,000. Generous PTO policy; 401k contribution; monthly, tax-free allowance for health care costs.

How to Apply:

Please send your résumé and cover letter to careers@foodshedalliance.org with “Executive Director Application” in the subject line.

Generous PTO policy; 401k contribution; monthly, tax-free allowance for health care costs.