Executive Director (Chicago)

Job Title: Executive Director, Chicago

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor (1099)

Duration: 3-month contract with possibility of extension or conversion to full-time employment

Location: Chicago, IL (remote with local in-person activity required)

About RLC

Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC) is a nonprofit organization committed to fighting food insecurity and preventing wasted food. We have cultivated a network of dedicated food rescuers who bring food directly from our donors to nonprofit organizations, letting neighbors help neighbors while reaping the environmental and economic benefits of reducing wasted food. Founded in 2013, our simple, but elegant model has redistributed over 22 million pounds of food cumulatively.

Position:

RLC is expanding its Chicago presence and is seeking a driven, entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead and accelerate local growth. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is comfortable with direct outreach and sales, and is passionate about food rescue and community impact.

The Executive Director will be responsible for:

• Signing on new food donors, particularly corporate food donors (less focus on restaurants)
• Building up the paid rescuer network
• Bringing on new sponsors
• Developing and cultivating leads for corporate group volunteering (CGV) — must not duplicate current national team efforts
• Signing on new large-scale donors

Responsibilities:

• Attend local meetings on behalf of the national development and grant writing team
• Attend local events to gain sponsors, rescuers, donors, and CGV leads
• Maintain consistent daily outreach to existing and new leads across calls, emails, texts, and messages
• Log all sales activity and pipeline progress in Salesforce (training provided)
• All credited sales must represent new partnerships outside of RLC's existing pipeline

Workload Guidance

To help scope this engagement, RLC's experience suggests that meeting the performance goals typically requires approximately:

• 50 outreach touchpoints per day / ~250 per week (calls, emails, texts, or in-person meetings)
• Consistent pipeline activity logged in Salesforce weekly

These figures are benchmarks based on what has worked for others in similar roles — not prescribed methods or contractual requirements. You determine the approach that works best for you.

Compensation & Performance Goals

• Flat fee: $12,500 for the 3-month contract engagement
• Incentive bonus: Up to $37,500 for the 3-month period ($150,000 annualized), earned through the following point system on incremental revenue and pounds — existing pipeline does not count:
  • Food donor revenue: 1:1
  • Sponsorship revenue: 3:1
  • Corporate group volunteering (CGV): 3:1
  • Pounds rescued: 10:1
• Total on-target earnings: Up to $50,000 for the 3 months ($200,000 annualized) based on full performance achievement
• Compensation is paid as independent contractor fees; the contractor is responsible for applicable self-employment taxes
• Compensation structure and performance metrics will be reviewed at the 90-day mark

Long-Term Target

The Chicago branch is expected to reach 5x total costs and 10x operational costs (rescue costs + operational support + Executive Director compensation). All revenue and pounds are measured on an incremental basis.

Details

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor (1099)

Location: Chicago-based; remote with regular local in-person activity required

Schedule: Contractor sets own schedule and determines own methods to achieve results

Equipment: Contractor provides their own equipment and tools