Job Description The Board of Directors of New Haven Farms seeks a full-time Executive Director to provide the leadership and direction necessary to fulfill the organization’s mission, build its capacity, ensure its sustainability, and maximize the its performance and impact.

New Haven Farms

New Haven Farms (NHF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote health and community development through urban agriculture. We transform vacant, contaminated urban land into farms where we grow organic vegetables, fruit, and flowers. Our staff and volunteer corps cultivate 7 urban farms, the harvest of which is made accessible to low-income families who struggle with diet-related chronic diseases and food insecurity. Program participants receive bags of produce when they participate in weekly classes on farming and nutrition education, as well as cooking demonstrations. New Haven Farms conducts community-based research to measure the impact our Farm-Based Wellness Programs have on our members’ health, food security, and general quality of life. New Haven Farms is in an exciting period of expansion as the organization undertakes initiatives to strengthen operations, increase the amount of land farmed in order to increase vegetable production and distribution, streamline research, and widen and diversify leadership. See more at: http://www.newhavenfarms.org. 

About the Position:  The ideal candidate will:

• Be able to think strategically about the work of NHF in relation to its mission and vision, its external relationships, and the future of the organization.
• Have a strong commitment to New Haven’s citizens and their health, and to working in a progressive mission- and results-driven organization.
• Be detail-oriented, flexible, and organized, able to handle a varied workload while successfully implementing structures to move toward the organization’s mission.

Essential Responsibilities

Management and Administrative Leadership

• Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; build Board involvement in strategic direction for both day-to-day operations as well as for overall organizational development; organize and attend regular Board meetings.
• Work with Board and staff to develop, implement, and achieve the vision and mission of New Haven Farms. Actively engage, allies, partnering organizations, and funders.
• Develop and implement annual planning and budget process.

 Fundraising & Communications

• Expand and diversify revenue-generating activities to support existing program operations while simultaneously building assets to create capacity for the long-term sustainability of New Haven Farms. Employ diverse fundraising strategies including Board campaigns, donor cultivation, and social media.
• Develop and implement annual fund development plan according to approval of New Haven Farms’ Board of Directors.
• Oversee all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of ensuring a strong brand and clear and consistent messaging regarding New Haven Farms’ mission, programs and fundraising goals.
• Be an external local/national presence and spokesperson that communicates organizational results in order to reinforce, strengthen and positively represent New Haven Farms’ brand and mission.

 Program Development and Operations

• Oversee and support the development, design and delivery of program initiatives, assuring that the goals and objectives are aligned with New Haven Farms’ overall strategic plan.
• Oversee and support the administrative components of all program services, including contract negotiations, grant reporting, staff hiring, volunteer recruitment, program delivery.
• Provide for quality assurance monitoring of all New Haven Farms programs, correcting of any deficiencies in program services.
• Oversee risk management and legal activities: letters of agreement, contracts, leases, and other legal documents and agreements.

 Community Engagement & Advocacy

• As New Haven Farms’ primary spokesperson, shape and expand awareness of New Haven Farms’ vision and mission.
• Advocate at the local, state and federal level for the health, education, and public policy issues that impact diet-related chronic disease and food security.
• Develop and execute a strategic marketing plan that provides a clear and concise message telling the organization's story.

 Minimum Qualifications

• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in a dynamic or non-profit organization managing its financial sustainability, supervising and developing personnel, overseeing marketing and communications, managing programs, and working with diverse partners in the for profit, non profit, and governmental sector.
• Demonstrated ability to meet increasing goals and demonstrated experience securing funds from foundations, corporations, government sources, and individuals.
• Proven oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to organize, represent, and engage a diverse set of stakeholders
• High-level, strategic understanding of the food and healthcare systems, social change
• Direct experience with grassroots efforts.
• Experience and cultural competence working with underserved populations in a social justice context.
• Passion for and commitment to local agriculture and food systems change; commitment to the mission, values, aspirations of New Haven Farms.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field.
• Strong connections and commitment to New Haven’s ethnic communities, food, health, and/or agriculture sector, immigrant rights and social justice movements.
• Spanish proficiency.New Haven Farms is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates with disabilities, women, persons of color, and others who represent distinct linguistic or cultural communities to apply.Application Materials
  Please send resume, cover letter, writing sample, names and contact information for three references to Liz Marsh at volunteercoordinator@newhavenfarms.org.

For more information about New Haven Farms, visit www.newhavenfarms.org Compensation this position is : salaried How to apply Deadlineno deadline