Position Summary:

Today, Market Umbrella is entering a new and exciting chapter. The organization’s next Executive Director will have the opportunity to build upon Market Umbrella’s success to-date and grow the organization’s impact as a leader in farmers markets and food access. Key opportunities include deepening and expanding Market Umbrella’s community presence through focused relationship building and innovations to the market experience, as well as building Market Umbrella’s regional and national brand and stature. Leveraging the strong name recognition of the CCFM and the historical effectiveness of many of Market Umbrella’s programs, the new Executive Director will be in a position to spearhead strategic priorities that incorporate programmatic and partnership-based incubation of ideas. These strategic priorities will be grounded in and responsive to the evolving needs of the Market Umbrella community, particularly regarding racial equity and the impacts of the pandemic. Working in partnership with Market Umbrella’s dynamic Board, staff, and network of ecosystem partners, the next Executive Director will be a leading actor in promoting excellence for the CCFM and in advancing the organization’s mission of cultivating public markets for the public good.

Principal Duties:

Organizational Strategy

• Work with staff and Board Members to ensure a long-term growth and sustainability strategy in-line with the organization’s vision and community needs.  
• Lead efforts to further define and articulate Market Umbrella’s core identity, leveraging staff to develop a communications strategy to amplify the organization’s mission and work. 
• Regularly engage with a broad network of community stakeholders to further the Market Umbrella brand and ensure alignment with the needs of the New Orleans community.
• Establish metrics to monitor program effectiveness.
  
  

Farmers Market and Program Management

• Provide executive oversight for farmers market operations and supporting programs, including identification of partnerships to support the mission.
• Maintain an in-person presence at the farmers market to  actively monitor and optimize the shopper and vendor experiences.
• Regularly communicate with vendors, shoppers, and other key business stakeholders to gather feedback and resolve conflicts related to farmers market operations.
• Enhance equity, inclusion, and diversity in market operations and programs. 
• Expand and innovate upon existing food access and community-based programs, continuing to broaden the reach of Market Umbrella’s programs.
• Expand and innovate upon existing producer development and support work that will ensure the long-term success of the market.
  
  

Fiscal Management and Governance

• Serve as the primary channel of communication between the Board and staff.
• Execute all contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the organization with Board approval.
• Lead staff and board in the development of the annual budget. Oversee progress against this budget and maintain oversight of organizational assets, including investments.
• Deliver regular reports to the Board on the agency’s operations and financial position.  
• Work collaboratively with the Board Chair to set Board strategy and regularly engage Board members around their role in realizing the organization’s vision.
• Ensure the fiscal integrity of the organization, providing monthly financial statements and other documentation and reports that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
  
  

Personnel Management and Administration

• Develop and implement a long-term staffing plan. Supervise, develop, recruit, hire, and train staff in-line with organizational needs.
• Inspire team members to align around the organization’s vision and long-term strategy. 
• Work collaboratively with senior staff to set and oversee progress against organizational objectives.
• Set performance standards in-line with organizational values and job descriptions. Routinely assess team members against these standards and engage with staff to provide feedback.
• Develop a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and goals to inform staffing and day-to-day activities.
  
  

Fundraising

• Lead the staff and Board to implement a plan for raising funds in line with the organization’s mission and strategic vision.
• Work in collaboration with the Development Director and Development Committee to cultivate, solicit, and steward all current and future funders and major donors.
• Provide executive oversight for all fundraising efforts including long-term planning, establishing strategic fundraising activities, and submitting proposals.
• Develop plans for innovative earned revenue streams to support Market Umbrella’s financial sustainability. 
  
  

Partnership and Policy

• Develop a comprehensive plan for furthering the organization’s policy priorities for engaging in and supporting the local/regional food ecosystem.
• Identify and engage with local, regional, and national stakeholders to forge mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Spearhead community outreach efforts to further inclusivity and access to markets.
• Serve as the key public face for the organization among all stakeholders.
  
  

Desired Skills and Competencies:

Required

• Successful track record managing a non-profit or equivalent community-focused organization.
• Experience working for or serving on a nonprofit board.
• Experience working in farmers markets, food access, agriculture, or related sectors.
• Experience managing multiple deliverables against deadlines.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with and communicate effectively across a broad array of stakeholders, including partners, community members, shoppers, vendors, board members, and staff.
• Ability to navigate internal and external conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as an understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias. 
  
  

Preferred

• 5+ years as an entrepreneurial leader with experience launching, managing, and expanding programs, managing people in a nonprofit or social enterprise.
• Demonstrated track record of implementing proactive rather than reactive anti-racist initiatives, including incorporating the perspectives of diverse communities into organizational decision-making. 
• Existing familiarity with the New Orleans community.
• Experience with identifying and managing earned revenue streams.
• Master’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
  
  

Application Instructions and Additional Information:

Please submit your resume and cover letter, including salary expectations, to hiring@trepwise.com. Market Umbrella has retained trepwise to lead this Executive Director search. For more information, you may reach out to trepwise at the email provided above.

For more information on Market Umbrella, please visit our website at www.marketumbrella.org.