Company description The California Artisan Cheese Guild is a statewide nonprofit organization of cheesemaker, cheese trade, and enthusiast members who work together to support California cheese.  Guild members work to keep a traditional craft alive, to preserve flavors unique to our region and to protect valuable working farmland in a densely populated state.  The mission of the California Artisan Cheese Guild is to celebrate the quality and diversity of artisan cheeses produced in California, through partnerships, outreach, and education. Job description

The Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership, long-term direction, and achieving financial goals set forth by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director has overall  managerial and administrative responsibilities for the Guild. The Executive Director will guide the Guild in accordance with its mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF E.D. 

Relationship with Guild members, agricultural groups and national cheese industry

• Maintain contact with Guild members in order to understand their needs and capabilities.
• Represent the Guild at various functions and meetings in CA.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with state and national agricultural and cheese communities. 

Relationship with the Executive Committee 

• Develop and implement an annual agenda for the Guild in collaboration with the  Executive Committee (E.C). 
• Attend all E.C. meetings and advise on any relevant issues. 
• Carry out the directions of the E.C.. 
• Present an annual report to the membership at Annual Meeting. 
• Develop monthly financials in conjunction with the Treasurer and bookkeeper.
• Work with the President to develop meeting agendas. 
• Communicate clearly and professionally with all Guild and Board members. 

Management Functions 

• Manage the Guild and its activities including, but not limited to, Board of Directors meetings, Annual Meeting, website upkeep, member relations, educational programming, volunteer management, finances, public relations, etc., within the framework of the Guild by-laws.
• Plan and execute SF Cheese Fest, or equivalent fundraiser, in Fall 2022
• Collaborate with California Artisan Cheese Festival Board and event producer to execute 17th California Artisan Cheese Festival, a 3-day event March 24-26, 2023 in Sonoma County
• Support Committee Chairs in the execution of annual Committee goals as needed
• Complete all reports and filings required by law for governing a not-for-profit corporation and its operations. 
• Ensure there is an adequate system for the dissemination of information to all Guild members (emailings, social media platforms, postal mailings). 
• Develop relationships with other organizations who have complementary missions.
• Expand and diversify revenue-generating activities (examples include: Board campaigns, donor cultivation and social media campaigns) in order to create long-term financial sustainability of the Guild.
• Manage part-time Marketing and Social Media Coordinator who creates and posts regular content to Guild social media platforms to support ongoing marketing campaigns

Communications and Public Relations 

• Communicate with the public and media on behalf of all members. 
• Oversee the promotional plans and dissemination of materials to promote the Guild.
• Respond to or send phone and email inquiries to appropriate Committee Chairs.
• Create and update any printed Guild materials. 

Membership 

• Solicit and maintain annual Cheesemaker, Trade, and Enthusiast membership dues.
• Increase overall membership year over year
• Maintain up-to-date membership roster and website presence
• Communicate with members regarding events, donation requests, intern and  employment opportunities, general inquiries. 

Fiscal Management 

• Prepare and present an annual budget in collaboration with CACG Treasurer
• Ensure the annual budget is implemented to meet Guild objectives 
• Provide accountability for necessary income, including membership dues, SF Cheese Fest and California Artisan Cheese Festival  income, and grants/fundraising as needed 
• Provide leadership in soliciting sponsorships for SF Cheese Fest revenue
• Ensure there are adequate fiscal controls at all organizational levels 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

• The E.D. position will be evaluated by the Executive Committee throughout employment.
• The Board of Directors will provide the E. D. with an annual performance evaluation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Passion for bringing ideas to life 
• Interest in agriculture and agricultural issues 
• Ability to be self-directed and to work alone 
• Experience in a leadership role for a non-profit or food-based organization
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills 
• Competency in public relations, member services, board communication
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills for program design, budget planning, and  monitoring of program results 
• Experience managing budgets 
• Web management capability
• Previous event planning experience
• Previous fund raising experience and grant development experience
• Volunteer management experience
• Availability for short-term travel to regional and national food industry events  

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND VISUAL REQUIREMENTS 

Excellent verbal communications skills are required for the amount of time spent talking with Guild members, Committees and various media requests. Exceptional interpersonal skills are necessary for building and maintaining collaborative relationships that are essential to success. Good vision is required for the time reading a variety of documents and for computer work. 

This is a remote position, but employee must reside in California.  Work requires travel by automobile throughout California for meetings and program operations. Employee must maintain a valid CA driver’s license and manage travel arrangements, including overnight accommodations. Employee is responsible for loading and moving program materials, assorted promotional goods and/or tools into personal vehicles or other vehicles as needed to meet schedule deadlines. 

Work schedules fluctuate as needed to meet program management goals and planned  schedules. Some lifting of heavy items is required, generally up to 40 lbs. Must have U.S. citizenship or a valid U.S. work permit. 

SAFETY 

Work is performed in and at various venues for meetings and events during the year. Travel by automobile requires attention to safe driving practices, including the wearing of seat  belts. The E.D. is expected to follow motor vehicle laws of each state in which he or she will drive for business purposes.

The employee must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position without  posing a direct threat to their health and safety or that of other individuals.

Compensation this position is : salaried, 50k-75k Application instructions DeadlineMay 27, 2022