Crossroads Community Food Network is building a healthier, more inclusive food system in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads, a primarily immigrant, low-income community just outside Washington, DC. At the heart of this integrated network of food growers, makers, and consumers is Crossroads Farmers Market, where an innovative nutrition incentive program makes it easier to bring home more healthy food, and at the same time helps support local farmers and vendors--the majority of whom are also immigrants. Crossroads also encompasses community-based healthy eating education, microenterprise training for aspiring food entrepreneurs, and the newly opened Takoma Park Silver Spring Community Kitchen geared toward helping them succeed.
 

While there are many area organizations that feed the hungry, promote healthy eating, or support local farmers or start-up food businesses, Crossroads is unique because its programs touch on all these necessary components of a sustainable local food system. The benefits are interrelated and multifold: increasing access to healthy food and knowledge about making healthy food choices contribute to improved overall public health; creating a consistent demand for fresh fruits and vegetables has helped make local, small-scale farming more economically viable; and facilitating the transition to self-employment via entrepreneurship fosters financial stability. By connecting and empowering those who grow, make, and eat healthy food, Crossroads is helping an underserved community attain food equity and self-sufficiency.

Crossroads Community Food Network (“Crossroads”), a food access nonprofit based in Takoma Park, MD, is seeking an Executive Director to lead and grow a small but dynamic and innovative organization. Crossroads works to bolster the local food system through programs that support and unite those who grow, make, and eat fresh, healthy food.

The ideal candidate will be able both to think broadly and strategically and also be detail oriented and organized. Experience with food systems work and success as a nonprofit fundraiser is required. The full-time position is based in Takoma Park, MD, and the annual salary is $72,800. Benefits include paid vacation, medical leave, parental leave, and holidays, as well as employer-sponsored health insurance (eligible upon hiring) and retirement benefits (eligible after one year of employment).

People of color and women are encouraged to apply.

Essential job functions include but are not limited to:

Leadership:

• Direct the implementation of Crossroads’ mission, programs, and services
• Build relationships with community partners and relevant stakeholders for strong, effective delivery of programs and services to target populations
• Foster a positive, collaborative, organizational culture encouraging transparency, communication, and professional development
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to ensure Crossroads’ continued success and growth
• Engage and empower staff to develop and carry out a range of program/operational activities
• Provide guidance on food access, economic development, and agriculture policy and advocacy
• Work collaboratively with Crossroads’ Board of Directors in the development of the strategic plan
• Recruit new board members; recruit and manage Advisory Council members
• Serve as an effective and inspiring spokesperson for Crossroads

Financial Planning and Management/Operations:

• Assume primary responsibility for the organization’s income, including developing a comprehensive development strategy; grant writing and reporting; managing relationships with government agencies, foundations, corporations, and community organizations; cultivating and soliciting individual donations; and identifying new and diverse revenue sources
• Develop overall annual budget; administer funds in accordance with the approved budget
• Monitor the organization’s cash flow, and provide regular financial reports to the Board of Directors
• Track expenses and restricted grant budgets, prepare financial reports
• Supervise part-time bookkeeper who handles day-to-day accounting tasks, ensuring sound accounting procedures and financial records are maintained
• Serve as primary decision-maker on core operations activities, ensuring the organization complies with all laws, regulations, and standards regarding nonprofit status, employment, and insurance
• Direct the hiring, training, retention, and performance evaluations of staff

Programming:

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Crossroads’ programs
• Ensure programs, projects, and communications reflect Crossroads’ strategic plan, priorities, and core values

Required skills and experience:

• 5+ years of executive leadership experience with community-based nonprofit organization(s) that have multiple programs and funding streams
• Experience with partnership development, financial management, food systems work, and advocacy
• Ability to think strategically, multitask, prioritize activities, and manage staff
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers market farmers, vendors, and shoppers; community members; funders; government representatives; community and business leaders; the media
• A proven track record of winning grants from public (federal and local) and private grantors, experience with fundraising/grants management; experience with USDA grants a plus
• Working knowledge of G Suite, Quickbooks, Microsoft Excel, and CiviCRM (or a similar contact management database)
• Familiarity or community connections within the Takoma/Langley Crossroads community is desired but not required
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred but not required