The Farm Institute - Executive Director

The FARM Institute

Executive Director Position Specifications

Position Title: Executive Director

Organization: The FARM Institute

www.farminstitute.org

Location: Edgartown, Massachusetts (Island of Martha’s Vineyard)

Reporting Relationship: Reports directly to the Board President and the Board of

Directors

Organization Background:

The FARM Institute (TFI) was founded in 2000 as a teaching farm located in Edgartown,

Massachusetts on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Its mission is to educate and engage

children and adults in sustainable agriculture through the diverse operations of a working

farm. TFI provides year-round educational programs offering learning experiences in:

o The culture and history of Martha’s Vineyard farming.

o Farming (Field crops, produce, fruit, and hay).

o Land preservation.

o Nutritional awareness.

o Humane livestock management (cattle, poultry, swine, sheep, goats).

o Entrepreneurial thinking and application.

Over the past 10 years it has grown into a million dollar organization reaching over 1000

children per year in its camp and school programs. It has created a program for students

from urban areas who have limited farm experience. It has successfully engaged parents,

volunteers and community leaders in the conduct of its programs and planning for the

future. After five years of successful growth, the Executive Director and Development Director

are leaving and TFI is combining these positions and looking for an Executive Director

(ED) who can lead the program, and achieve the specific goals in the strategic plan.

Position Summary

The ED will be responsible for the consistent achievement of TFI’s mission, strategies,

policies, programs and financial objectives. S/he will supervise day-to-day activities of

all TFI functions. The ED will formulate and recommend to the Board strategic,

business, operational plans and budgets. S/he will directly manage all senior staff and

work with them in the design and implementation of specific programs. S/he will directly

lead the development effort and participate actively in all development events and

activities. Therefore, the ED will be expected to be a dynamic spokesperson, serving as a

catalyst for TFI’s fundraising activities and community relations. This position reports to

the Board President and the Board of Directors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include, but are not limited to the following:

Planning

• Works with the Board and Staff to develop a strategic plan defining the future

direction of the FARM

• Leads the Staff in developing long-range and annual plans with a budget

containing strategies and measurable outcomes.

Governance

• Fosters Board relationships and overall Board effectiveness in concert with the

Board President.

• Oversees financial and human resource management and communicates status

effectively to the Board.

• Ensures that appropriate fiscal controls and procedures are in place to ensure

transparency and accountability.

• Provides support for the Board’s oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.

• Recommends policy for Board review and action and implements the Board’s

policy decisions.

Development and Public Relations

• Creates a sound fundraising strategy, planning and executing effective and

innovative ways of raising money from individual donors, foundations,

corporations and the government.

• Solicits and cultivates major donors.

• Plans and manages all fundraising and public relations activities.

• Serves as lead representative and spokesperson for TFI to all media.

• Promotes awareness and support among media, parents and community for TFI’s

vision, mission, programs, needs and events.

• Establishes collaborative relationships with other organizations and works to

further TFI’s goals.

Management

• Evaluates all TFI plans, programs, activities and procedures with regard to their

planned purpose, sustainability and impact on the organization and community.

• Works with and supports the Board President in mobilizing the Board/staff

committees.

• Ensures compliance, at all levels, with TFI’s policies and procedures as well as

federal, state and local laws.

• Evaluates all TFI plans, programs, activities and procedures with regard to their

planned purpose, sustainability and impact on the organization and community.

• Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates and reviews performance of Senior Staff in

accordance with TFI’s approved human resource policies and governmental

regulations.

• Leads and nurtures a strong staff, building relationships of trust, responsibility

and accountability and instilling a feeling of partnership and cohesion within TFI.

• Promotes effective and consistent internal communications to ensure smooth

cooperation between departments, Staff, and Community.

Finance

• Recommends an annual budget for Board review and approval.

• Ensures that adequate funds are raised to operate the organization and to maintain

a solvent financial position.

• Maintains a sound fiscal management and accounting system that includes

budgeting, accounting, reporting and auditing activities.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have:

• Five plus years experience in managing an organization with responsibility for

planning, fiscal controls, revenue generation and community relations or related

relevant experience.

• Proven success in raising funds, developing strategic fundraising programs and

expanding development efforts. Must have strong marketing and public relations

skills.

• Experience and or background in education, agriculture or environmental issues a

strong plus.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate will possess the following characteristics:

• Effective communicator who can clearly articulate TFI’s message and earn the

respect of the internal and external community

• Demonstrated leadership skills to effectively work with Staff, the Board, the

Community and Donors

• A good listener and creative problem solver who is collaborative and able to

reconcile divergent points of view.

• Must impart credibility, trust, enthusiasm integrity and motivate others

Education: A degree in a subject relevant to the work of TFI is preferred but not

required.

Contact:

Inez Janger

Search Director

inez@farminstitute.org

www.farminstitute.org

508 645 3715