Executive Director

 

About City Fruit

City Fruit, an 11-year-old 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Seattle, WA, is looking for an enthusiastic new Executive Director that is dedicated to City Fruit’s mission!

City Fruit puts our urban orchard to its best and fullest use so that everyone in our community shares in the value of fruit.  We are well known for our annual Seattle Fruit Harvest and fruit tree care services. We also work to empower community members to help build sustainable, local food systems. In 2019, City Fruit harvested over 36,000 pounds from throughout Seattle’s neighborhoods and donated 85% of the harvest to 23 community partner food banks and meal programs that serve those in need. More of our 2019 impact can be found in our 2019 Annual Report.

We recently launched an ambitious five-year plan to advance City Fruit’s mission and elevate the organization, and we are looking for an Executive Director who is excited to bring their experience and creativity to deliver on our goals.

 

Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for City Fruit’s staff, programs, budget, and execution of its mission.

This position is full-time (approx. 40 hours per week) and the current on-site office is located in Fremont, Seattle, WA. This position is primarily performed on-site at City Fruit’s office or remotely, but can include off-site and outdoor work based on the nature of the organization. Working hours are generally expected to be performed during normal business hours but may include evening and/or weekend hours as needed.

 

Responsibilities
Leadership and Management

  • Ensure ongoing excellence of programs and initiatives, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems.
  • Actively engage and energize City Fruit’s board members, volunteers, partner organizations, members and tree owners.
  • Support a strong Board of Directors through communication and board involvement with the strategic direction for City Fruit’s ongoing operations.
  • Be responsible for the recruitment and supervision of all personnel. This currently includes directly supervising and evaluating the work of up to 5 staff members, as well as contractors.

Fundraising and Communications

  • Monitor aspects of communications from web and social media to external relations, with the goal of building awareness and a stronger brand; market the organization to create interest in the mission.
  • Expand fundraising activities and revenue generation to support existing and new programs and services. City Fruit’s support comes from a mix of individual donors, grants, memberships, corporate partnerships, events, and earned income.
  • Utilize existing and new relationships to create opportunities in support of City Fruit’s mission.
  • Serve as a primary spokesperson for City Fruit, including with internal stakeholders, partner organizations, and the public.

Strategy and Planning

  • Work with the Board of Directors to identify new or revisions to existing programs and services and lead the planning process for this change.
  • Build and cultivate relationships and partnerships with city, county, and state government to build awareness and support for City Fruit’s mission.
  • Hone and actionalize the current City Fruit 5-Year Plan, making modifications as needed due to societal and community changes.

 

Qualifications
Required

  • A self-starter who is a quick study, strategic, creative, and an analytical thinker.
  • Passion for food equity and policy, social justice, and the urban harvest with an established network in Seattle.
  • Experience working with a small organization or non-profit and a history of success with capacity building and management of employee efforts to maintain staff morale.
  • Track record of bringing revenue to an organization; creative fundraiser with a proven track record of individual donors/memberships, grant procurement, corporate sponsorships, and special events.
  • Knowledge of basic accounting protocols with the ability to review finances with the board and staff to build consensus around priorities and monitor ongoing expenditures.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator who knows how to engage audiences of varying sizes,  interests and diverse backgrounds in the business of the mission.
  • History of building valuable partnerships with businesses, governments, and other non-profits.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher required. Candidates with a comparable amount of experience will be considered.
  • Can commit to be with City Fruit for at least 2 years.

Preferred

  • Strong marketing and public relations experience who is comfortable working with the press and public media representatives; will be a good spokesperson for City Fruit.
  • Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships.
  • Experience in organizational management and a history of success in attracting and retaining talent and effectively managing a team.
  • Understanding of food systems and the interconnected web of activities, resources and people involved in providing human nourishment and sustaining health.

 

Benefits
  • Due to the seasonal nature of the Executive Director’s duties and responsibilities, the Executive Director may use their discretion to schedule vacations or paid time off, notifying the Board of Directors when doing so.
  • This position provides for flexible, unlimited paid time off within reason. Overall, as an organization that supports families and work-life balance, we offer the opportunity to work a flexible schedule, to the extent practical.
  • A Health & Technology monthly stipend.
  • Anticipated salary $55,000-$65,000, depending on experience.

 

How To Apply
  • Please submit a cover letter and resume for the position to board@cityfruit.org with the subject line “City Fruit Executive Director Application”. Submitted applications will be reviewed beginning on Wednesday, May 13th. The position will be open and accepting new applications until filled. If selected, the ideal candidate would be able to begin work in the middle to late June 2020.
  • City Fruit provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political ideology, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
  • This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.