Executive Director
THE OPPORTUNITY
Food for Life is seeking a new Executive Director to provide leadership, direction, and guidance for the organization’s activities. Reporting to the Board of Directors and building on its almost 30-year history as a sector-leading organization that delivers high impact, thought leadership, and collaboration across the network, the Executive Director will work collaboratively with staff, senior volunteers, and the community.
With the development of Food for Life’s Strategic Plan underway, the new incumbent will be responsible for delivering the organization’s vision to enhance services today while exploring ways to improve our impact tomorrow – both for people and the planet.
The successful candidate will foster a culture of collaboration and integration ensuring alignment of strategy and direction across the organization leading a highly capable and competent team of subject experts in food logistics, operations, programs, and fundraising. A strong communicator, the Executive Director will share and respond to relevant information, feedback, and issues with transparency and proactivity.
As a face of the organization and highly engaged in the community, the Executive Director will build and cultivate effective partnerships with regulatory bodies, other agencies, community and civic organizations, donors, funders and supporters, and the public. The new incumbent will be a network and systems thinker, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the broader context in which Food for Life operates. The Executive Director will anticipate changing stakeholder expectations and needs and develop effective responses to them in order to solidify and expand the role Food for Life plays throughout Halton and Hamilton Regions to achieve its vision for everyone to have access to healthy food.
The Executive Director can anticipate working out of Food for Life’s office/warehouse based in Burlington with occasional remote work as well as offsite meetings.
ABOUT FOOD FOR LIFE
Food for Life is the largest food rescue organization in Halton and Hamilton.
Food for Life supports the community by supplying healthy, fresh, and frozen food directly to neighbours and to a network of non-profits and partners who offer food support programs. Food for Life is a thought leader in our sector and is built on a unique supply chain model driven by environmental sustainability.
While the type and amount of food that Food for Life redistributes may differ from our beginnings in 1995, our core values and focus remain remarkably unchanged. We continue to proudly be a volunteer-powered, grassroots-driven organization employing 22 full-time staff and utilizing approximately 400 volunteers from the community to mobilize our mission. Food for Life thrives on the spirit of teamwork with an unparalleled network of support from individuals, corporations, and foundations in the Halton region. Through trusted alliances, Food for Life is able to turn every $1 donated into $7 of GOOD food.
Rescue Since its inception in 1995, Food for Life has rescued over 26 million pounds of food by collecting surplus perishable food (fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, and prepared foods) from both retail and wholesale food suppliers and grocery stores.
Distribute Food for Life holds a unique niche among Canadian food relief charities in that we focus on redistributing fresh, nutritious food. Clients tell us that they are often not able to afford fresh food and that having access to this healthy food allows them to focus on obtaining other life essentials as they work towards no longer relying on our services.
Sustainable By diverting over 4.9 million pounds of good food last year, Food for Life was able to reduce the equivalent of 7 million kilograms of greenhouse gases.
Mission:
Rescuing Food. Impacting Lives.
Vision:
For everyone to have access to healthy food.
Values:
We value those we serve, our key role in improving food security, our generous donors, our culture of partnership and our commitment to continual improvement toward our mission.
Environmental Impact at Food for Life
Rescuing food helps our neighbours. It also helps the environment. According to a recent study from another food rescue agency, about 60% of food produced in Canada is wasted. This is an important reason why Food for Life exists.
From Food for Life’s start in 1995, when Oakville resident George Bagaco would stop at a bakery on his way home from work and deliver surplus baked goods to needy families, environmental stewardship has been a key to the work we do.
Over the last 25 years, Food for Life has rescued over 26 million pounds, saving the equivalent to over 37 million kgs of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.
Food for Life has taken positive steps on top of diverting greenhouse gases. We were the first food security charity in Canada to purchase a hybrid diesel/electric truck for picking up food from farmers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, then delivering it to programs where neighbours access food.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Financial Reports & Annual Reports
Environmental Impact and Resources
Food for Life Posts & Newsletters
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Collaborates with the Senior Team and Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization.
- Develops and drives the implementation of the operational plan, incorporating goals and objectives that work towards fulfilling the strategic directions of the organization.
- Identifies, assesses, and informs the Board of Directors of successes, internal and external issues, risks, and other relevant and timely information.
- Acts as a professional advisor to the Board of Director on all aspects of the organization’s activities.
- Regularly assesses policies and procedures to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
- Applies leadership, board governance and management principles as they relate to non-profit/ voluntary organizations.
- Oversees federal and provincial legislation applicable to the charitable sector including employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, charities, Canada Revenue Agency, taxation, CPP, EI, health coverage etc.
- Ensures compliance to standards in accordance with all government legislation, regulations and guidelines as an employer and non-profit agency.
- Oversees the development and implementation of communications and public relations programs to advance the brand and awareness of Food for Life in the community. Works with the team to develop and implement the annual communications plan.
- Furthers the organization’s goals on sustainability and zero waste through the development of our food rescue program and the measurement of our impact on the planet.
Finance & Risk Management
- Maintains full awareness of the financial, statistical, and accounting records of the organization.
- Ensures the preparation of the annual budget for board approval.
- Ensures that operating results established in the annual budget are achieved and the control of operating expenses within budget.
- Works with the Finance Committee and Controller to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial accounting, reporting and annual tax filings.
- Maintains an effective and cost-efficient office environment.
- Identifies and evaluates risks to the organization’s people (volunteers, staff, interns), property, finances, goodwill, reputation, and image.
- Implements measures to control and manage risks.
Human Resources Management
- Manages staff and volunteers applying human resources policies, procedures and practices including hiring, orientation, training, evaluations and/or performance reviews, discipline, and manage job descriptions for all staff and volunteers.
- Coaches and mentors staff as appropriate to improve performance.
- Plans for future staffing requirements and determines the experience and skills needed to effectively deliver programs and services.
- Consults with the Board on an on-going basis and as needed regarding human resources plans, issues, and staffing activities.
- Fosters a positive, healthy, diverse, inclusive, and safe work environment in accordance with Food for Life’s values and all appropriate legislation and regulations.
Fundraising & Community Engagement
- Acts as a spokesperson for the organization and represents the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile.
- Collaborates with community groups, agencies, government, funders, and the public on shared issues and interests and in the development of strategic partnerships.
- Supports the Director of Development and the Board of Directors on annual and long-range fundraising planning and delivery of programs and campaign that drive revenue.
- Oversees the development of funding proposals; participates in securing major gifts, sponsorships, and corporate funding.
- Fosters a culture of philanthropy by stewarding key donors and partners. Engages and leverages community contacts to build new revenue-generating relationships.
- In partnership with the Senior Team, creates effective plans for the stewardship and retention of Food for Life supporters. This includes understanding their needs and preferences; measuring, monitoring, and highlighting the impact of our work; and communicating effective messages in a timely and persuasive manner to deepen and strengthen relationships with donors, partners, funders, and the community.
Food Logistics, Operations, and Facilities Management
- Supports the Director of Operations to oversee the implementation of and compliance with policies and procedures in the following areas:
- Warehouse and food safety.
- Ministry of Transportation standards and policies pertaining to fleet and safe driver management.
- Safe food handling practices.
- Ensures the foodraising policy targets are achieved as outlined in strategic and operational plans.
- Oversees and ensures risk management policies and procedures are in place to protect the agency, employees and volunteers from liability and other claims.
- Establishes and ensures that all professional, licensing and Imagine Canada Standards requirements are in place to satisfy legal, regulatory, and other requirements.
- Ensures that equipment and facilities are managed effectively and efficiently.
- Develops and manages annual capital and maintenance plans to ensure that property is maintained in a state of good repair.
- Coordinates maintenance and capital purchases required.
- Ensures that facilities comply with all applicable health and safety standards regulations and building codes, and all other relevant codes.
- Continuously assesses our operations and programs to reduce food and other waste to minimize our environmental impact.
Program Management
- Ensures community programs effectively serve people in need and meet targets set out in the strategic business plan.
- Supports the Program Director to ensure agency sites and Food for Life programs comply with food safety guidelines.
- Ensures the volunteer engagement plan is implemented.
- Assesses and manages risks associated with serving vulnerable persons.
- Supports partnership and stakeholder development to expand programming.
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- Progressive senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, ideally within a social service delivery setting. Knowledge and/or experience working in poverty reduction or food security is an asset.
- Experience working with a Board of Directors within a Board Governance model.
- Demonstrated ability to implement strategic and annual plans and successfully drive and manage programs and teams aligned with organizational plans.
- Excellent people management skills with the ability to develop positive relationships with staff and a track record of building collaborative and integrated work cultures and teams.
- Accomplished networker and relationship builder with experience representing an organization to stakeholders and collaborating to build strategic partnerships.
- Knowledge of revenue generation best practices with experience growing revenue in a non-profit environment.
- Track record of managing relationships and securing funds from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government.
- Strong business and financial acumen with an understanding of diverse funders and partners.
- Ability to identify, manage, and report on organizational risk.
- Experience creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Strong oral, presentation and written communication skills with the ability to engage diverse internal and external audiences.
- Understanding of cycles of poverty and systemic barriers, and the systems of support.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle, as travel throughout Halton Region is required.
- Occasional evening and weekend work if required for activities such as Board meetings and representing the organization at public events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Food for Life. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Ellie Rusonik, Vice President, KCI Search + Talent by email at FoodforLife@kcitalent.com
All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by September 6, 2023.
To view full position brief, please visit www.kcitalent.com
Food for Life is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. If you are invited to attend an interview and require accommodation, please inform KCI in advance of our meeting.
The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $160,000.