Nonprofit Executive Director

The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the strategic and operational leader of Sprouts Chef Training, ensuring the organization thrives through strong fundraising, effective board governance, and mission-driven program execution. This role is ideal for a collaborative and visionary leader who excels at relationship-building, designing systems for growth, and translating values into action.

Sprouts Chef Training is a group of inspired team members in a high-growth, virtual environment who gather in SF and NYC for semi-annual fundraising and awareness events. You will lead a team of passionate stakeholders on an unforgettable impact journey. You will also collaborate with board members and chef partners, such as Alice Waters, Michael Bauer, and Dominique Crenn, to engage corporate sponsors, renowned restaurants, nonprofit partners, and individual donors.

Chef Training Program Overview

We believe in a nation where all youth have access to fulfilling career pathways. We help Bay Area & NYC youth who are experiencing hardship to achieve stability and financial autonomy through life skills coaching and ​restaurant internships. Youth are paired with chef mentors and case managers to develop the skills needed to secure and maintain a culinary job. Since 2012, 180 youth have leveraged their culinary skills to overcome housing instability, fund higher education, pursue careers as chefs, enter new professions, and support their families.

Your Role

As Executive Director, you will lead Sprouts Chef Training through its next phase of impact and growth. You’ll be responsible for setting strategic direction, expanding fundraising, strengthening internal operations, and deepening community partnerships. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in both big-picture thinking and relationship-driven execution.

You will design systems that support a high-performing team and activate an engaged Board of Advisors and Directors. From coaching structures to 360-degree reviews for board members and leaders, you’ll build the infrastructure that fuels positive collaboration and opportunity-focused growth. As the external face of Sprouts, you’ll represent the organization at events, cultivate key donor relationships, and inspire stakeholders to invest in our mission.

Partnering closely with the Founder, Operations Director, and coast-to-coast staff, you’ll help chart a sustainable path forward.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Vision

• Guide strategic planning and execution in partnership with the Board of Directors, the Founder, and senior staff.
• Ensure alignment across programming, operations, and fundraising with Sprouts’ mission and values.
• Represent Sprouts externally and act as the primary spokesperson with donors, partners, and media.
• Skilled in budget management, with experience overseeing operating budgets (in-kind contributions and cash combined) ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million. Able to navigate shifting funding and expense variables, work within established budgets, and develop new financial tools and frameworks as organizational needs evolve.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising strategy to meet and exceed annual revenue goals through individual giving, foundation support, events, and sponsorships.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, institutional partners, and philanthropic networks.
• Collaborate with the Founder and events & marketing team to identify new opportunities and craft compelling fundraising narratives.

Board & Advisory Engagement

• Facilitate effective governance in partnership with the Board of Directors, including monthly meetings, 360-degree performance reviews, and ongoing strategic engagement.
• Design and implement a coaching and accountability structure for the Board of Advisors, ensuring members are mobilized as ambassadors, connectors, and thought partners.
• Clarify and communicate board roles and responsibilities to ensure alignment, accountability, and meaningful contribution.
• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and shared leadership across board relationships.

External Relations & Events

• Represent the organization at high-profile events, conferences, and community gatherings to expand visibility and influence.
• Proactively seek out and participate in media opportunities, including podcasts, news interviews, and industry panels, to amplify Sprouts’ mission and reach new audiences.
• Partner with staff and stakeholders to ensure strong presence at events that support programmatic and fundraising goals.
• Deliver public remarks and speak to diverse audiences with clarity, warmth, and conviction.

Team & Culture

• Lead and manage a high-performing team with clarity, empathy, and accountability.
• Experienced in establishing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress, support strategic decision-making, and ensure accountability across programs, fundraising, and operations.
• Ensure strong internal systems, including financial oversight, HR, and operational protocols.
• Champion an inclusive, collaborative, and feedback-driven workplace culture.

Personal & Professional Growth

Both your personal life balance and professional growth are important to us. We believe that one needs to be fulfilled and happy in order to make a positive impact in the community. We will work closely with you to determine personal and professional goals and a timeline of action items so that you grow through your work. You will actively collaborate with team members, including Sprouts’ Founder.

Skills and Experience

• Proven track record of fundraising success, particularly with major donors, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience engaging with or reporting to a board of directors; comfort navigating complex dynamics with diplomacy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience representing an organization publicly.
• Strong background in leadership, team management, and organizational systems-building.
• Experience designing or participating in performance feedback structures (e.g., 360-degree reviews).
• Demonstrated ability to work closely and collaboratively with a Founder or senior visionary leader.
• Emotionally intelligent communicator who builds trust and rapport across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Confident public presence with the ability to represent the organization with authenticity and clarity in high-visibility settings.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to collaboratively generate ideas and translate them into actionable systems and structures.

Locations and Hours

• Remote job, based in San Francisco.
• 40 hours per week. Schedule can be flexible, with the understanding that some accommodations may be required due to team members being based in various time zones.
• Travel to NYC 1-2 times a year.
• You will travel to restaurants and other venues in the Bay Area for special events and meetings with partners and donors.

Commitments and Expectations

• Starting Date: September - November 2025
• Applicants must have access to a personal computer to use for work.

Compensation

• Salary range: $125,000-$145,000 based on experience
• 12 paid vacation days (accrued), annually
• 13 paid federal holidays, annually
• $150 monthly remote work stipend
• $300 monthly tax-free insurance/healthcare stipend through QSEHRA account, eligible after first 30-days of employment
• Paid sick time (dependent on employee's state regulations)

How to Apply

We are eager to hear from you! Please send the following to sprouts@sproutscheftraining.org:

• Resume
• Cover letter that explains why your skill set, interests/goals, and past experiences are pertinent to the position
• Link to your LinkedIn profile

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The interview process will include a take-home work exercise designed to reflect the role’s responsibilities.

The Mission

We equip youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement.

Core Beliefs

1. Jobs change lives.
2. Kitchens heal.
3. It takes a village.