The Organization
Every year, the Food Education Fund (FEF) supports hundreds of diverse culinary-focused public high school
students, predominantly from economically challenged areas of New York City, to prepare them for college or
careers in food-related industries. FEF’s core values are community, equity, integrity, empowerment and joy. FEF
runs numerous programs in coordination with educators and public- and private-sector supporters for students and
alumni across 13 high schools throughout New York City, including the renowned Food and Finance High School.
The Fund’s innovative and experiential programming includes a job training and internship program, visiting chef
program, and a student-run cafe and restaurant. FEF also awards scholarships and assists with the college prep and
search process to support students from underrepresented communities.
FEF’s journey began with Food and Finance High School in Hell's Kitchen in 2008, providing job training and
internships. Over time, the organization has broadened its program offerings to achieve four main goals for its
students: Discover, Explore, Achieve and Launch.
Food Education Fund programming highlights include:
● a visiting chefs program featuring some of the most recognizable and high-achieving cooks in the world
● scholarships to culinary schools and college
● a culinary competition that culminates in a week-long culinary experience in Italy for winning students
● Pass the Spatula, the only high school-based food media program in the country
● School Grounds Cafe, a fast-casual dining concept in the Barclays Center providing an entrepreneurial
opportunity for students,

Food Education Fund seeks a visionary leader to inspire and oversee the tremendous growth on the organization’s
horizon. The CEO will act as the public face of the organization, serving as the liaison between FEF and its board of
directors, the school administrators, industry partners, and government agencies.
In partnership with the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead and collaborate with a talented staff and oversee an
operating budget of $2.0 million. The CEO will be charged with growing the operating budget to $5 million within 3
years. The CEO will have the opportunity to develop and implement a strategic plan, strengthening synergy across
programs, data, and partnerships; and to embrace the organization’s ambitious goals to expand programs, increase
the budget, and effectively reach more students.
The CEO will be a strong advocate for FEF, the students, and alums. They will be a fearless fundraiser, building
brand recognition and pathways for partnership and investment by representing the organization across
educational, corporate, public, philanthropic, and social sectors. They will be a passionate, authentic voice in state
and national conversations on the topics of culinary education, hospitality, entrepreneurship, equity, inclusivity, and
career pathways.

Responsibilities
Strategic Vision and Leadership
● Provide strategic vision to FEF in service of its mission and lead the organization into its next phase of
development and impact.
● Ensure that FEF’s vision and values are expressed in every aspect of the organization, including its culture,
personnel, and programs. FEF’s positive, equitable and inclusive culture requires open communication and
alignment around the organization’s goals.
● Partner with the Board to continue to identify and cultivate culinary, hospitality and business industry
partners.
● Direct strategy development and implementation, program growth, fundraising, community relations,
educational program development, personnel administration, facilities and financial management, and
marketing.
● Provide inspirational leadership to the team, encouraging innovation while developing and managing a
high-performing and effective organization; establish decision-making processes that will support FEF in
achieving its objectives.

Fundraising & Business Acumen
● Seek innovative and lasting funding opportunities and industry partnerships to increase mission visibility
and strengthen programmatic impact.
● Assume ultimate oversight for the effective and sound management of FEF’s operational infrastructure,
including optimizing policies, practices and systems ensuring the organization operates within budget
guidelines.
● Track and analyze metrics that identify fiscal strengths of organization and areas of focus for the short and
long term.
● Seek effective ways of engaging FEF’s Junior Board and alumni network in the ongoing growth of the
organization.
● Oversee the financial status of the organization, including: developing long- and short-range financial
plans; monitoring the budget and ensuring that sound financial controls are in place; setting financial
priorities accurately to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the needs of the
program and staff.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Operations
● Recruit and manage a team of employees with clear roles and responsibilities; provide empathetic
leadership and development to department staff and amplify their contributions through mentorship,
strategic instruction, and management.
● Communicate shifting operational and programming needs to the staff and the Board, working to adapt
the organization and programs to build capacity and impact.
● Provide direction and vision on infrastructure needs to achieve the organization’s goals.
● Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and maintain clear internal communications across staff.
● Ensure clarity and consistency throughout the organization's strategy, operational methods, and data
collection processes to support the continued development and management of a professional and
efficient organization.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, has prior fundraising and nonprofit operations experience, and has launched
and scaled programs based on data-driven KPIs. The candidate must show success with building and evolving
organizational structure and delivering impact with agility. Experience in education, culinary arts, and/or hospitality
is helpful but not required. Additional desired qualifications are included below:
● At least 5 years’ executive leadership experience with a nonprofit. CEO experience with an organization
serving youth, education, social service or social justice is ideal
● Strong analytical skills with knowledge of evidence-based program evaluation and community needs
assessments
● Capacity to manage data systems and identify solutions that resolve pain points while promoting greater
efficiency and transparency
● Expertise in creating and implementing strategic plans, including developing business and staffing plans to
advance strategic goals
● Prior experience working with a nonprofit board, including a demonstrable understanding of board
development and governance
● Successful track record cultivating individual, institutional, and governmental funder relationships
● Experience overseeing government contract execution and compliance. Prior experience with NYC’s
Department of Education or Department of Youth and Community Development is ideal
● Highly organized, consistent, empathetic, and respectful when it comes to working with high
school students from a variety of backgrounds
● Have knowledge of drivers of educational inequity and key issues that impact youth development
● Excellent relationship builder and comfortable reaching out to third parties for assistance and
advice. Flexible in working both independently and collaboratively; self-motivated
● Willingness to address emergent priorities in any capacity
● Exceptional editing, writing and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with a high emotional IQ
● Ability to understand, translate, and adapt content for a variety of audiences
● A management style that embodies respect, transparency, teamwork, and accountability
● Ability to work with a variety of learning abilities

Compensation and Benefits
The salary for the position is commensurate with experience. FEF offers all full-time employees a health insurance
reimbursement plan.