Job opening: 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.
About 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 participatory 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: Overview
Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, and with both internal and external-facing responsibilities, the Executive Director (ED) provides the leadership and direction necessary to fulfill the organization’s mission, build its capacity, ensure its sustainability, and maximize its performance and impact. The ED supervises NHF staff and volunteers, oversees program development and implementation, and is responsible for annual and long-term resource development, communications, and external partnerships. The ED serves as the main spokesperson for NHF.
The ideal candidate will:
 Be able to think broadly and 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 and busy workload while ensuring the successful implementation of programs and structures necessary to move the organization’s vision into reality.
Essential Duties and 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.
 Provide oversight of all New Haven Farms activities, manage day-to-day operations, ensure ongoing organizational and programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and

meticulous oversight of financial and administrative functions, fundraising goals, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals.
 Ensure the integrity and execution of the day-to-day operations of NHF; and that the strategic vision for growth of the organization can be achieved and is aligned with the capacity of the organization.
 Develop and implement annual planning and budget process.
 Ensure effective systems to measure organizational progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure performance that can be effectively communicated to the Board, funders, and other constituents.
 Oversee employee recruitment, hiring, and compensation, and benefits administration, and conduct new employee orientation.
 Lead, coach, develop, and retain New Haven Farms’ staff and volunteers. Ensure timely performance evaluations for staff and volunteers.
 Design and maintain staffing and organizational structure that best serves organizational goals and objectives.
 Ensure monthly financial statements are prepared for Board of Directors.
 Oversee payroll processing, annual audit, and 990 preparation.
 Work with the Board to ensure their full engagement in policy-making, governance, and resource development.
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. Secure new funds from diverse sources, including individuals, businesses, government, and private foundations. 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.
 Work with Board, staff, volunteers, and consultants to achieve short and long-term fundraising goals.
 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.
 Cultivate and steward strategic partnerships and alliances in order foster new opportunities.
 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.
 Oversee and actively participate in development functions including grant writing and reporting.
 Prepare and present reports to Board, funders, donors and community stakeholders.
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.
 Provide guidance and leadership through management of the New Haven Farms performance metrics and measurement reporting process with grantors and external agencies.
 Lead and manage the organization’s programs, assuring alignment between day to day operations, budgeting, and the strategic plan to ensure performance and achievement of strategic program goals.
Community Engagement & Advocacy
 As New Haven Farms’ primary spokesperson, shape and expand awareness of New Haven
Farms’ vision and mission through public presentations, participation and membership in community forums, civic organizations, and activities that are aligned with New Haven Farms’ mission and vision.
 Foster strong and trusting relationships with partner organizations.
 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.
 Represent New Haven Farms in all media relations by participating in interviews, developing press releases and all other media type engagements.
 Organize events for the public including but not limited to volunteer appreciation, forums for funders, open farm days.
 Develop and oversee programming that promotes community development within our target neighborhoods.
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.
 Experience working with or on a nonprofit Board of Directors.
 Fundraising record that demonstrates ability to meet increasing goals and demonstrated experience securing funds from foundations, corporations, government sources, and individuals.
 Proven oral and written communication skills and ability to adjust presentation styles for different audiences and environments; outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
 Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, and think strategically and creatively.
 Entrepreneurial, politically astute, and committed to working in a collaborative environment.
 Proven ability to organize, represent, and engage a diverse set of stakeholders including organizations and individuals in a way that builds community and consensus.

 Experience working in deadline driven environment with very tight resources.
 Track record delivering superior results, commanding respect, and assuming leadership roles.
 Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities.
 Experience with strategic, business, and scenario planning.
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 Ability to represent New Haven Farms in a professional manner, building respect and confidence in the organization.
 High-level, strategic understanding of the food and healthcare systems, social change and progressive movements backed by 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.
Compensation
This is a full time, benefitted, exempt position.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use arms/hands/fingers, talk, hear and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment
Work is generally performed in an office setting with moderate noise levels. Evening and/or weekend work is frequently required. There is frequent interaction with the donors, the general public, program participants and employees. Tight time constraints and multiple demands from several people are common. Travel may be required to fundraising events, trainings, meetings, conferences, presentation, and other events.
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.