Employer: Urban Roots
Position: Executive Director
Location: Austin, TX
Report to: Board of Directors
Full-time, salaried, benefits
Application Submissions:
-Resumes and inquiries should be emailed to EDSearch@urbanrootsatx.org
-All resumes should include a cover letter that briefly answers these 3 questions
-Application period closes May 29, 2020
Who We Are:
The only farm-based youth development and community impact organization in Austin, Urban Roots has been empowering youth and nourishing the Greater Austin community for more than 10 years. Since 2008, 344 youth have graduated from Urban Roots internship programs and have cumulatively earned over $572,000. Over 320,000 pounds of sustainably grown produce has been harvested on the 3.5 acre Urban Roots farm in southeast Austin, and 131,000 pounds of that has been donated to local food access organizations.
Urban Roots hosts a variety of team building activities, community events and fundraisers throughout the year, combining local corporate partners, farm-fresh produce, and Austin’s top chefs to support Austin’s youth and future leaders. Some examples of what kind of opportunities and impacts Urban Roots has made recently can be seen in this video from National Instruments, this special feature by CBS News and GoDaddy, and this article in Culture Map Austin.
What We Seek:
Urban Roots is seeking a passionate Executive Director to lead the organization through an exciting future of upcoming growth and development. This Leader will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our organization, ensuring that operations are working efficiently and effectively to meet business goals. In this role, the ED will be the face of the organization, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, governmental, community, and corporate leaders who are partners, and donors of all levels. The Urban Roots team has a close-knit culture in which there is sharp focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value communication, recognition and collaboration. We are in search of an Executive Director who is aligned with our culture and will continue to enhance it through positive leadership.
The Opportunity:
-Lead organizational operations, administration, and strategic direction
-Establish a shared vision and culture of high expectations for all stakeholders with a frame of equity
-Communicate effectively with the Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions
-Lead, coach, develop, and retain senior management team
-Interview, select, and evaluate staff. When necessary, perform employee terminations.
-Expand efforts to reach out to our increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse community to build capacity for fundraising, recruitment for our Board of Directors, youth interns, and community partners, and develop and execute our strategic priorities
-Grow the organization’s capacity to raise an annual operating budget of $1 million and up, by navigating major donor fundraising, annual fund development and larger funding campaigns
-Develop and manage annual budget for the organization; identify and make needed adjustments to ensure continuing fiscal responsibility
-Initiate and oversee a new strategic planning process that includes Board of Directors, staff, youth, and community partner input
-Serve as the organization’s primary representative to external stakeholders and community partners and oversee regular and appropriate communication
-Plan and execute an upcoming capital campaign to support the organization’s future growth plans
-Develop strategic community partnerships to create innovative new revenue streams with a goal toward deepening community impact
-Develop, maintain, and support the active and effective engagement of a diverse Board of Directors
-Ensure the integrity and rigor of the organization’s programming and measure success through regular evaluation
-Develop and implement organizational evaluation tools and systems based on objectives of strategic plan
Leadership Profile:
-You have a deep understanding of youth development and leadership
-You are passionate about creating personal and professional growth opportunities for youth in underserved-communities
-You understand food systems and food culture, the challenges of access, agriculture, and the connection between community and land
-You understand the history of institutional inequities and the organizing models that address social and environmental justice
-You are a strong visionary, and able to ensure that the organization is progressing on its strategic plan in a timely fashion
-You have an entrepreneurial spirit
-You are a seasoned nonprofit leader, who can work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders
-You have past success working with a Board of Directors
-You have deep experience in managing a thriving fundraising program
-You have the ability to build strong teams through effective and relational supervision, coaching, and professional development
-You have a great sense of humor, alongside a sense of humility, and are always learning and growing
-You possess supreme organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects with grace
-You are willing to put in the time needed to ensure a strong organization no matter the day or time, and are energized by working in a fast-paced, outdoor environment in all types of weather
-You have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and are able to lift up to 40 lbs.
-You can pass a criminal background check
Preferred Qualifications:
-An advanced degree
-Experience working in sustainable agriculture
-Experience working with city, county, and state elected officials
-Experience working with national foundations funding youth leadership and sustainable agriculture work
-Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English
