After over three years in this role, our Executive Director, Lauren McGuire-Wood, is leaving the organization. Lauren started several new programs and projects during her time at the CCFN and, with the help of other staff and volunteers, managed the successful expansion of our mobile produce market program. We wish her all the best as she goes back to school full-time!

We are now seeking new leadership for the organization. Check out the job description below:

Position Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Direct report: Program Coordinator, Mobile Produce Markets
Term of Contract: May 2016 – May 2017, renewable yearly contract
Hourly Wage: $20.00/hr for 15-20 hrs/wk. Flexible schedules can be negotiated.

Organizational Mandate: The Cedar Cottage Food Network Society (CCFN) is an independent, non-profit organization working toward more sustainable and just food systems at the neighbourhood level. We create space for Kensington-Cedar Cottage residents to take part in different levels of food systems by providing programming, tools, and opportunities for community connections.

Description of Position: The Executive Director is responsible for the overall operations of the CCFN and adherence to its mandate.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Program and Organizational Management

• Support and maintain the operation of all CCFN programs, including evaluation
• Develop and implement new programs as needed (and as funding permits) to address gaps in food infrastructure in the neighbourhood
• Identify and sustain opportunities for capacity building and partnerships between community leaders and agencies which would help support the work of the CCFN over the long term
• Build community capacity to be involved in food security initiatives and increase awareness of available food security resources and networking opportunities
• Plan and lead food-related community events (cooking workshops, community consultation, etc.)
• Execute the mobile produce market program two Saturdays per month starting September 2016, including set-up and take-down, produce pick-up, handling cash, and customer service

Administration and Human Resources

• Ensure that relevant documentation and licensing is up-to-date
• Recruit, hire, and train new staff members and volunteers
• Coordinate and facilitate bi-monthly CCFN Board meetings

Funding

• Primarily responsible for actively pursuing & securing sustainable and ongoing funding for the CCFN activities, reporting to funders as they require
• Monitor program finances, maintain accurate financial records, and ensure responsible budget

Promotions

• Designing promotional materials for programs and workshops for various audiences
• Advertising programs and workshops through various avenues and networks
• Maintain website and social media pages

Partnerships

• Liaise with representatives from other agencies and institutions within Kensington-Cedar Cottage
• Collaborate with other food security networks in Vancouver to share resources and identify opportunities for strengthening working relationships through a seat on the Neighbourhood Food Network Working Group
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partnering organizations for the continued operation of joint programming
• Help link like-minded organizations in the neighbourhood with each other to meet common goals

Qualifications:

• Sound understanding of food security/sovereignty principles, the spectrum of food based programs in Vancouver, and barriers to food access
• Confident leadership experience with community development and capacity building approaches to project development
• Experience with community work and committee based processes, particularly related to pocket markets or farmer’s markets
• Experience with facilitation and leading workshops
• Strong grant writing and funding report writing skills
• Strong communication and computer skills (familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite design programs and HTML an asset)
• Excellent organization and time-management skills
• Must have a valid Food Safe certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Must have a Class 5 drivers license and clean driver’s abstract
• Experience with volunteer supervision, recruitment and training

The successful candidate will work from Trout Lake Community Centre office for a minimum of one day per week; home office can be used for other hours. Some evenings and weekends are required for special events; two Saturdays per month will be required starting September 2016. Flexible availability is desired.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter (preferably PDF files) with the title ‘Executive Director position’ in the subject field to cedarcottagefoodnetwork[at]gmail[dot]com by Friday May 20th.