Executive Director

A principal player in the rapidly accelerating Fair Trade movement and marketplace, the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of Fair Trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.

FTF membership has been expanding rapidly in recent years, and is set to double over the next two years. FTF stands at the threshold of exciting new opportunities and is seeking a Director who will work with FTF's active Board of Directors to build a common vision for the role of FTF in the evolving Fair Trade market and movement, to develop a plan to expand the membership and income base of the organization, and to provide vision and leadership to both FTF and the North American Fair Trade Movement. 

Core Responsibilities: 

* Work with the Board of Directors to assess the opportunities and challenges facing the organization and develop a new vision for the organization in the form of a business plan and fundraising strategy to allow for the expansion of the Fair Trade Federation during the next 12-36 months.
* Provide high caliber management of the new membership application and screening process, and manage organizational growth through the launch of several new member categories.
* Offer leadership to the wider Fair Trade movement by developing and implementing creative marketing strategies that highlight the role of Fair Trade businesses.
* Provide programs and services of direct relevance to members, building their individual and collective confidence, their financial success, and their ability to work together to advance Fair Trade in North America. 

Qualifications: 

This position requires a creative self-starter with strong diplomacy, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. The ideal candidate must enjoy working with diverse stakeholders, possess strong management and leadership skills, and be able to work well with both big picture issues and the smallest of details. A strong commitment to the Fair Trade movement as a tool of poverty alleviation for the low income and marginalized people of the developing world is absolutely essential. 

Experience required: 

* College degree or equivalent experience
* 2-5 years direct experience with Fair Trade, socially responsible business or relevant nonprofit sector
* 2-5 years in management positions with broad experience that includes developing strategy and policy, and employee supervision
* Fundraising experience
* Network/coalition building experience
* Practical project management experience including creating project documents, budgeting, financial reporting, and project implementation
* Strong speaking and writing skills
* Experience utilizing web sites as marketing tools
* Experience developing marketing and promotional strategies
* Travel or work in a developing country and knowledge of a foreign language would be a plus 

Location and Travel: 

Ideally, the Executive Director will work out of the office of Co-op America in the District of Columbia. Candidates residing in the San Francisco Bay Area or in Madison, Wisconsin will also be considered. Some domestic travel will be required. International travel may be involved in future years. 

Interested candidates should email the following:  Your resume;  A cover letter stating salary expectations and how your background would make you an ideal candidate for this position;   A brief (5 page maximum) writing sample 

FTF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation to apply.