Executive Director

Spoons Across America® is the source for children's culinary education. We provide information and programs about food and nutrition for schools, families, and community organizations.

Through hands-on education programs, children learn about food - its connection to the land and seasons, and the importance of cooking together and sharing meals around the family table. Our programs educate children and their families about healthy eating habits and cooking methods while introducing them to fresh, seasonal and local foods; they also align with many state education standards across several academic disciplines.

Spoons Across America® is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 by a group of educators, chefs and food professionals to increase awareness of the importance of nutrition education to the health and well-being of our children. Our founders believed that it is essential to the health of our children and our society to bring the joys of the table to the children of America. The table is where children learn about conversation, consideration, tolerance and other tools for getting along in society. When activities are centered around healthful food, children experience fun and exciting was to learn about nutrition, the physiology of taste, and how food weaves its way through daily life, from the farm to the table.

Position Overview:

Spoons Across America (SAA) is seeking an Executive Director who will advance its mission - educating children, families and teachers about the benefits of healthy eating. We are seeking someone who is energetic, has proven fundraising abilities, strong communication skills, and will work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and staff members. The Director will oversee the development and systematic growth of fundraising activities to support SAA programs and increase public awareness of SAA's ability to influence the eating habits of children.

Responsibilities:

• Proven track record in raising funds from individuals, and organizations to develop fundraising strategies to address the following constituencies: individuals, SAA friends, grants, major donors and corporations, restaurateurs and others.
• Effective communication skills - including public speaking, writing (i.e. annual report, newsletters and other publications), meeting facilitation, listening, web-based communication, social media usage, and website maintenance.
• Provide strategic leadership for SAA by working with the Board of Trustees and the Staff to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies, keeping in mind the goals of organizational growth and sustainability.
• Support and management of staff.
• Manage, support and develop marketing strategies thus raising SAA's visibility as a leader in food literacy programs across the elementary grades delivered by trained volunteers, and promote the SAA's activities, programs and goals.
• Position current education program to maximize effectiveness.
• Oversee education publications: i.e., newsletter, website, fact sheets.
• Seek like minded educational alliances to our mutual benefit.
• Active liaison between staff and Board.
• Work with management team, Finance Committee and the Board to prepare agency's annual budget and ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines.

This individual is the primary public face of the organization and is responsible for maintaining strong and productive relationships with program partners, schools, donors, and other community agencies who promote, celebrate and influence the essential role of food, its local sources, and cultural traditions in America.

The position reports to a Board of Trustees consisting of professionals and volunteers strongly committed to SAA's vision: To ensure that every child, family, and teacher can understand, appreciate and act on the central role that food plays in daily life as its weaves its way from the farm to the table.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with educational programming and working with educational professionals.
• Excellent collaborative team building and management skills.
• Financial and/or business management of a budget of $150,000 or larger, including budgeting, oversight, compliance and reporting abilities.
• Ability to interact with and appreciate an ethnically and economically diverse population.
• Strong commitment to, and positive experience with working closely with a non-profit board of trustees, professional staff and volunteers.
• Masters degree preferred.
• Ability to communicate successfully and enthusiastically to school administrators, teachers, children, family members, other stakeholders, and funders.
• Knowledge of Quickbooks 2010, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe and Giftworks, or similar programs.

Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years experience in the nonprofit/public sector or educational sector
• 2+ years in administrative or educational leadership

To Apply:

Please e-mail cover letter summarizing interest, qualifications/experience and salary requirements, along with a current resume (Word document) to Jeffrey Bank, V.P. Board of Trustees and place SAA Director Search in the subject line.