Company description

NOFA/Mass (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts) is a nonprofit organization championing organic and sustainable farming in Massachusetts since 1982. Our mission is to educate and empower farmers, gardeners, and consumers for ecologically sustainable, healthy, and socially just food systems. We offer education, certification, advocacy, and community-building programs, fostering a future where organic and sustainable practices are the norm.

Job description

Northeast Organic Farming Association 
Executive Director

Hours:  Full time, with the option to work less than 40 hours per week.

Application Deadline:  Applications will be reviewed as received or until the position is filled. 

Start date: Position will remain open until the right candidate is chosen.

Location: Remote, must live in Massachusetts. Some travel required within Massachusetts. 

Opportunity:

NOFA/Mass seeks an Executive Director to provide leadership for a well-established and growing nonprofit dedicated to promoting organic agriculture and expanding access to nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet. The Executive Director works closely with an active board of directors, a team of department directors, and a staff of about 25 employees, with a strong dedication to promoting equity within the food system. 

 

Responsibilities:

Development and Fundraising: With support from the board, Development Committee, and Development Department, raise funds through a well-balanced combination of grants, individual donations, memberships, business sponsorships, and fee-for-service income. This includes cultivating relationships with major donors, bringing in new donors, and expanding the organization’s outreach around planned giving. 

Equity and Inclusion Lens: A demonstrated commitment to providing leadership around equity and inclusion is crucial for this role. Work with guidance from the Equity Director, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Equity Department, and outside consultants to implement the organization’s equity goals, and to bring an equity lens into all activities, including budgeting, programming, personnel management, retention and board development. 

HR Management: Oversee the hiring, onboarding, training, ongoing support, offboarding, and dismissal of staff, in collaboration with department directors. Work with department directors to oversee activities of NOFA/Mass employees and consultants and assist department directors in managing their staff. 

Financial Management: Maintain fiscally responsible oversight of the organization’s $1.5M annual budget; Develop operating budgets annually in collaboration with department directors and staff. Oversee requirements to maintain our standing as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and a non-profit Massachusetts corporation.

Collaboration with Board of Directors: Work in close collaboration with the board to provide advice around programming and policies; help solicit new board members and onboard them with an equity lens; serve as a liaison between board committees and staff; and prepare documents and agendas for each board meeting in consultation with the board president and vice president. Collaborate with the board and staff to plan two annual organizational retreats per year; Participate in each of the monthly or bi-monthly board committees.

Program Development: Along with the department directors, be the central visionary for new program development and guide program redevelopment. Effective program development will occur by utilizing the organization’s mission and commitment to racial equity to inform and guide our response to the nuanced needs and goals of farmers, gardeners, consumers, activists, and potential collaborators.

Networking: Stay in touch with other NOFA chapters, similar organizations, and relevant governmental organizations and keep our organization aware of innovative ideas or important work being done elsewhere. Maintain a significant relationship with the NOFA Interstate Council. 

Communications: Act as the public face of NOFA/Mass, and oversee communications with the press, members, partner organizations, and others.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will offer: 

• • Documented fundraising success
  • Experience in farming, gardening, or food systems

• A demonstrated commitment to leadership around equity and inclusion
   
• Experience working successfully with BIPOC communities

• Prior experience with non-profits 

• Leadership experience with budgeting and financial management
• A strong commitment to communication, teamwork and ability to work independently
• Experience in democratic leadership, consensus decision making and group facilitation
• Experience with staff supervision, human resources and personnel management
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office; CRM experience 
• Experience developing, recruiting, engaging, and training board of directors

Ideal candidate may also have:

• Experience with Quickbooks

• Spanish language fluency with strong written and verbal communication skills in a multilingual setting.

Compensation

• Salary $65K with the option to prorate for less than 40 hrs/wk.
• Monthly stipend for internet & phone.
• Annual stipends for professional development and technology.
• Reimbursement for approved travel and business expenses.
• Two weeks of paid time off during the first year of employment. 

NOFA/Mass is a non-profit organization with 1100 members, focusing on education and advocacy around organic agriculture in Massachusetts.  Our members include farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, consumers, land care professionals, and food activists.

Our Mission:

Through education and advocacy NOFA/Mass promotes organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet.

Our Vision:

NOFA/Mass envisions a commonwealth of people working together to create healthy landscapes that feed our communities and restore our environment.
 

NOFA/Mass encourages candidates from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to apply. Please familiarize yourself with our Racial Equity Statement before applying.

NOFA/Mass is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in employment and contracting practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

March 22, 2024