The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA) seeks an Executive Director to build on its successful 25-year history of supporting and strengthening Washington's small family farm businesses through vibrant, successful neighborhood farmers markets. The 7 Seattle neighborhood farmers markets operated by NFMA provide effective direct sales sites for our region’s small farmers, offer access to a large variety of fresh local foods including incentives for low-income shoppers, educate consumers about sustainable farming and food, and build community in the neighborhoods that they serve.
NFMA’s leader will embrace the organization’s potential to support more farmers with additional services and resources, reach more customers across a broad and changing socio-economic demographic, and explore possibilities for thoughtful growth. An experienced leader and strategic thinker who is deeply committed to the success and well-being of Washington’s farmers, NFMA’s next Executive Director will partner with the staff, board, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a clear vision for the future which both honors and expands on the successes of the past.
The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is committed to supporting and strengthening Washington's small family farm businesses by creating and operating vibrant, successful neighborhood farmers markets.
NFMA provides effective direct sales sites for our region's small farmers, while also educating consumers about local farm products, and the importance of supporting small farmers and preserving local farmland. From the beginning, the organization’s central focus has been the success and well-being of Washington’s small farmers and food producers, and as a result, the NFMA markets offer only produce and food products that are grown and/or made in Washington state. In addition to supporting the local sustainable food economy, the markets provide a weekly community gathering place where shoppers can meet the people who grow their food, creating a strong connection between the farmers and the customers for a positive market experience.
NFMA also plays an important advocacy role on the state and local level, standing up for vendors, low-income consumers, and the markets themselves. In support of farmers, NFMA established the Good Farmer Fund, which provides assistance to farmers in the case of emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. NFMA has been at the forefront of advocating for low-income benefits programs to ensure equal food access for all. NFMA developed and piloted the successful “Fresh Bucks” program, which doubles the money of people using food assistance subsidies (EBT/SNAP) to make purchases at the markets with a dollar-for-dollar match, and is now replicated across the state. NFMA has also led the charge in numerous local and state policy issues important to the farmers markets, such as securing permanent locations and limiting fees for market use of streets and city parks.
Founded in 1993 with the opening of the University District Farmers Market, the NFMA now supports 7 markets in different Seattle neighborhoods, 3 of which operate year-round. Market vendors include 115 farmers and 85 artisan food producers, who together serve over half a million shoppers annually, for more than 10 million dollars in annual sales.
The NFMA currently employs a staff of approximately 15 FTE’s (varies seasonally) that includes administrative staff in the Wallingford office, and Market Managers and assistants for each of the 7 markets. About 80% of the $1 million annual budget comes from program and vendor fees, with the rest being raised through grants and individual contributions. Donations from the annual fundraising dinner support the Good Farmer Fund, which provides emergency assistance to local farmers.
Under the skillful and passionate leadership of its founding director, NFMA has established a strong reputation in the community as a mission-driven organization running high-quality markets and as a leading advocate, at the city and state level, for farmers and food access. The organization is looking to its next leader to build on this foundation, exploring opportunities for thoughtful growth of many kinds such as: supporting more farmers with additional services and resources, reaching more diverse customers with evolving needs, and possibly eventual expansion to new market sites or neighborhoods. At the same time, changes in the city budget and political landscape, as well as shifting demographics, income disparities, and increased competition from other food providers such as delivery services, are all ongoing challenges that must be addressed. It will be critical for NFMA to maintain its focus on advocating for food access and market-friendly policies, and to collaborate effectively with organizations and coalitions who share these goals. The next leader will partner with the staff, board, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a clear vision for the future of the farmers markets, which both honors and expands on the successes of the past.
The Executive Director reports to the board of directors and is responsible for ensuring the oversight of the organization’s finances and general administration, market operations, program development, planning, fundraising, vendor relations, and community relations. As such, Executive Director duties include, but are not limited to:
- Working with the board of directors to set a strategic course
- Leading and developing the staff team; hiring new staff when needed
- Overseeing all financials, budgets, and compliance issues
- Ensuring that vendor policies, relations, and communications are equitable, timely, and productive
- Acting as a liaison to city, county, and state agencies that partner with the farmers markets
- Advocating for relevant political issues related to farmers, farmers markets, and food access
- Overseeing outreach, promotion, and fundraising efforts
- Acting as the main spokesperson and ambassador for the NFMA
The ideal candidate for NFMA will be an experienced and entrepreneurial leader with a genuine passion for, and demonstrable commitment to, supporting farming, agriculture, food access, and/or farmers markets. Executive Director candidates should have at least five years of experience in a senior leadership role, including responsibility for overseeing the financials and staff of a business, organization or substantial program, ideally with an annual budget of at least $500,000. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required; additional education and training are a plus.
Specifically, the ideal candidate will have at least some experience with most or all of the following:
- Leading and managing a staff team
- Working with and developing a nonprofit board
- Building the capacity of an organization to support intentional strategic growth
- Partnering with businesses, organizations, coalitions and policy makers to meet shared goals
- Political advocacy work at a local and state level
- Fundraising
Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work productively with diverse stakeholders including farmers, policy makers, donors, and the public. Because the NFMA is a non-profit organization that supports small businesses and partners with city government, familiarity with navigating all three of those sectors (public, private, and non-profit) is highly desirable. Flexibility and resourcefulness in a rapidly changing environment are important characteristics for this leader.
This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Board of Directors and requires a willingness to work some weekend hours and occasional evenings. Some flexibility in working hours is possible due to the nature of the work, and free parking is available. The salary range for this position is $75-$95k depending on experience and a proven track record of success in the key areas listed above.
The NFMA observes 10 holidays and offers 3 weeks of paid time off per year, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Medical, dental, and vision insurance is paid in full for full-time employees. Employees who have worked for one year or more are eligible for a 401(k) plan, including a partial matching contribution by NFMA.
Apply online by clicking on this link: https://seattlefarmersmarkets.org/programs-events/announcements/the-nfma...
Online applications only; please no email or paper submissions. You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe, as specifically as you can, how your experience and skills are a fit with the goals and requirements of this position as described in this announcement.
Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received. Initial interviewing will begin in late February and will continue with the NFMA Search Committee at the end of March. We will continue to accept applications until the position has been filled. All applications will be acknowledged via an email receipt and will be held confidentially within the hiring committee.
NFMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NFMA welcomes and respects diversity of background, experience, identity, and opinion in our program participants, staff, board, and volunteers.
The search for this position is being facilitated by Clover Search Works, a search firm that provides a full range of search services to nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Clover Search Works is honored to work with NFMA to recruit an Executive Director that will provide leadership to realize its important mission.
Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to Emily Anthony of Clover Search Works.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 206.355.9132 www.cloversearchworks.com