Job Description

whole foods market foundation (wfmf) is a 501(c)3 private operating foundation, founded by whole foods market (wfm) to further our purpose, to nourish people and the planet. whole foods market foundation is on a mission to advance healthy food access, nutrition and economic opportunities in local and global communities. we are a dynamic, diverse, and fast-paced team that is highly collaborative internally and externally, leveraging shared resources and creating innovative solutions. the executive director (ed) provides strategic direction for whole foods market foundation and its projects: whole cities, whole kids and whole planet. this position leads the team and oversees all aspects of wfmf including programs, development, fundraising, communications, engagement and education, business and financial planning. the executive director represents wfmf with a wide variety of stakeholders across whole foods market and externally, including community partners, clients and donors. working closely with the board of directors, the ed drives the vision and leads operations as a 501(c)3 organization. the ed develops and implements strategic plans to achieve organizational goals and objectives, including identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. the role applies subject matter knowledge, leads multiple teams and represents work across a diverse portfolio of community partners. this position is based in austin, tx.

responsibilities:

• leads efforts to design, evolve, and champion the wfmf mission, vision, values, and strategy of the organization. 

• engages with wfmf board of directors and wfm executives to establish multi-year strategic plans, outline initiatives, and communicate updates.

• responsible for establishing wfmf annual planning, budgets, functional policy, guidelines, and direction for the foundation. 

• oversees wfmf operations and accountable for team development, engagement, performance and goals.

• guides wfmf team members, providing direction, support, coaching, and mentorship to ensure high performance and collaboration. 

• operates foundation in compliance with all organizational by-laws, board policies, local, state, and federal policies including satisfactory completion of annual third-party audits, annual tax returns, and quarterly and annual budget submission. 

• administers financial affairs with applicable board policies, budgets, and accounting controls to ensure the foundation’s overall fiscal health. 

• creates long-term strategies that include fund allocation and programmatic strategy for international and domestic portfolios.

• oversees the supervision of both desk and on-site research of potential projects while assuring ongoing provision of community services. 

• accountable for reporting tools to manage existing and potential projects and programs team.

• partners with wfm senior leaders on merchandising, legal, marketing, communications, finance, operations, team member services and other business partners, articulating wfmf strategy and ensuring that initiatives are supported and executed. 

• develops long-term fundraising strategies and oversees annual fundraising efforts; identifies and leverages new revenue streams to broaden and diversify funding sources. 

• develops and implements wfm internal collaborations to enthuse and engage wfm team members with initiatives that advance the mission of wfmf. 

• represents wfmf both internally and externally, communicating the mission and advocating to multiple audiences, ranging from company executives, community partners, in-store team members, media, government leaders, other nonprofit organizations and the general public. 

• cultivates and responds to external partnership proposals in support of the foundation’s mission and assesses new partner potential and viability. 

• oversees creation and delivery of education and awareness sessions to all levels of the organization, including small and large scale.

• develops a depth of understanding for the work of the foundation such that you can identify and realize value from synergies. 

• steward and evolve the team culture and values aligning with wfm leadership principles and the community at large where appropriate. 

• participate in the organization’s work in a hands-on fashion to build an understanding of the communities we serve.

• utilizes critical thinking and data analysis for strategic and tactical decision making. 

 

must have/be:

• ba/bs degree and 8-10 years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in leading and implementing work in the non-profit sector. graduate degree preferred. 

• 4-6 years’ leadership experience. 

• ability to develop and execute strategic vision.

• proven experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget for a nonprofit.

• nuanced understanding of food access, health, financial inclusion, the non-profit sector, and socioeconomic cultural landscape of underrepresented communities. 

• a passion for whole foods market mission, higher purpose, values, and leadership principles. 

• ability to translate strategic objectives into clear, tangible actions, shifting comfortably between big picture strategic thinking and the tactics required to achieve outcomes.

• ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in one-on-one interaction, meeting/group participation/presentation situations including clients and community partners, wfm team members, wfmf board of directors, media and other non-profits.

• proven experience in actively listening to and understanding diverse perspectives, effectively disagreeing, and devising solutions that benefit the foundation and all stakeholders involved. 

• proven troubleshooting skills with a high attention to detail, ability aligning different stakeholders to execute deadline driven initiatives. 

• previous successful experience presenting in front of senior executives. 

• extensive experience representing, verbally and in writing, complex decisions, tough trade-offs, and potential solutions clearly to leaders to help them understand the decisions they have to make and what options they have. 

• proven ability to prioritize work and balance a portfolio of task/workstreams.

• customer/client focused, long term thinker, excellent communicator with strong business acumen and the ability to influence without authority. 

• proven record of effective program leadership that includes the ability to train and mentor others.

• resourceful self-starter, team player, creative thinker with a win-win-win, solutions-based approach. 

• ability to analyze financial data, achieve goals and budgets.

• non-english language skills including spanish or french a plus.

• must be able to travel up to 50% of the time, domestically and internationally.

• work hours must be highly flexible while overseeing global operations spanning every time zone. 

• ability to maintain confidentiality.

physical demands and work environment 

• work location is based in austin, tx, but will require extensive u.s. and international travel, including developing-world areas. 

• possible exposure to conditions found in the developing-world areas, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, hepatitis, parasites etc., and requires immunization and other medical precautions as recommended by the cdc. 

• additional job demands include a wide range of adaptability to move between extreme poverty and office environments. 

• possible exposure to dangerous environments, including dangerous roads and driving conditions, violence, civil unrest etc. when traveling to low and middle-income countries. 

Job Tags

Full time, Local area, Flexible hours, Shift work,

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