JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Executive Director is responsible for overall management of the Highfields Institute, in collaboration with the Program Director. This position entails leadership in moving the vision of Highfields forward, and requires the ability to pay attention to details while keeping the big picture in mind.
Highfields has grown over the last eight years from the vision of one dairy farmer to provide technical assistance in on-farm composting systems to other producers, to its present operation providing a range of technical and consulting services in on-farm and municipal composting systems, workshops and trainings, and operating a one acre on-farm composting research and demonstration facility. Our site is open year-round and handles roughly 1,000 cubic yards of diverse material per year, including roughly 3 tons of food scraps per week. Over the last two years our staff of four have worked to implement and support municipal and small scale composting programs to capture food scraps from the waste-stream for composting on farms, inventory available carbon materials in Central and Northern Vermont, develop windrow aerating technologies for farmers that can be fabricated on the farm, host intensive hands-on workshops in farm-scale composting, and develop Best Management Practices for small and mid scale composting operations handling manure, livestock mortalities, butcher residuals and food scraps.
As we have grown we have begun to move toward a social enterprise organizational model, seeking to generate as much cash revenue to support our work through the work we do. We believe the resources we offer are valuable in the present and future market, and that we can be most efficient and effective in working to fulfill our mission by minimizing our fundraising needs and placing value on our services and products. While this goal is becoming realized, a number of our programs, namely services to small and mid-size farmers, education and research work, continue to require outside funding. Recognizing this we will also continue to seek alternative and more predictable sources of funding outside of grants. Expanding our work with private donors is a significant priority for the organization as we move forward.
We have significant opportunities to grow and make relevant contributions toward building regenerative food systems in Vermont and elsewhere. Highfields works with farms and solid waste districts around Vermont, and is working on its first international project, in Cotacachi, Ecuador, at this time. We believe soil health and functional, durable food systems are the keystones to sustainable and vibrant communities. Highfields is in an excellent position to grow to the next level as an organization and we are excited to take the next step. We are seeking an Executive Director who can provide effective leadership as will work to ensure the long-term viability of the organization.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Operations Management: Manage routine office functions including scheduling and facilitating meetings, tracking projects, managing contracts and technical consultants, and developing an operations manual.
- Personnel Management: Collaborate with the Program Director to supervise staff. Maintain personnel records and update the personnel manual as needed.
- Financial Oversite: Oversee the fiscal health of the organization. Work with the Financial Manager to manage organizational budget and individual program accounts. Develop operating and program budgets, with the assistance of the Program Director, and meet budgetary goals.
- Fundraising: Oversee and execute major tasks relating to fundraising activities. Collaborate with the Program Director to write grant proposals, write reports on grant projects, and cultivate relationships with funders. Manage and expand major donor and other fundraising sources.
- Board Support: Coordinate regular Board meetings and serve as a liaison between the Board and staff. Support committee work and help establish a strategic planning process. Produce the annual report.
- Other activities consistent with the Highfields mission, as approved/requested by the Board.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to and familiarity with the Highfields mission, vision and potential.
- Experience in nonprofit or education organization management.
- Excellent written and verbal communications, people and computer skills.
- Successful fundraising or marketing experience.
- Flexible, collaborative work style, sense of humus.
Compensation:
- ¾-Full time position, with full benefits after a probationary period.
- Salary competitive and negotiable, depending on qualifications.
- Work schedule is flexible, and may involve some travel; requires regular presence at the Hardwick office, though working remotely for some portion of the week is alright.
- Staff rates on compost purchases
- Rewarding work and great work community/ environment!
Please e-mail resume and cover letter to:
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