President and CEO Search
The Opportunity
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier seeks a visionary, collaborative leader who will work to ensure equitable
access to nutritious food across the Southern Tier region. This individual will be a tireless advocate for the
organization’s mission and inspire others to support its critical work. The Food Bank has a cash budget of $10.2
million, a staff of 54, and an active Board with 18 directors and a robust core of volunteers.
Key Skills & Attributes
- We seek a mission-focused, strategic, and results oriented
leader with a passion for addressing
complex social issues to serve as the President
and CEO of the Food Bank. This position is jointly
accountable to the Board of Directors of the Food
Bank and to the President/Diocesan Director of
Catholic Charities.
- The ideal candidate will have significant experience
in leading strategic and high-level decision-making,
particularly in times of organizational growth. The
candidate will be adept at using keen interpersonal
skills to coalesce multiple external stakeholders
around common goals. He/she/they must embody
the highest ethical standards and demonstrate a
balance of business savvy with a commitment to
responsible, people-focused program delivery. A
demonstrated ability to develop and maintain highly
professional relationships with business, civic and
nonprofit leaders is required.
- The candidate must have the ability to establish
and maintain strong and growing relationships
with benefactors, potential donors, and other
key sources of financial support in business,
government, and civic sectors. Experience with
significant fundraising activities is highly desired,
as is experience working closely with local and
state government officials and policymakers.
The next President and CEO must have the
ability to skillfully serve as the primary external
representative of the organization and shall possess
strong communication and networking skills for
the purpose of helping to grow the organization’s
fundraising program. The successful candidate
should also have demonstrated skills in cultivating
and soliciting major gifts, corporate and foundation
grants, and enhancing a culture of giving.
- A track record of entrepreneurial problem solving
skills, creating and implementing best
organizational and operational practices, and
managing people through partnership and
collaboration is required. The use of proven
business practices to achieve financial objectives is
a highly desirable qualification.
- The successful candidate will be collaborative,
communicative, and compassionate, with an
outgoing, balanced personality and a problem solving
nature. This individual shall have a servant
leader mindset and a lifelong learning approach
to develop a cohesive team as well as to mobilize,
encourage and build the capacity of the staff. A
management style that provides autonomy and
empowers staff is highly desired. This person will
have experience working closely with a board to
further the organization’s strategic initiatives.
- Other personal qualifications include the interest
and ability to build upon a strong, positive
organizational culture and to both lead and manage
within complex organizations. A creative, intuitive
thinker with high emotional intelligence and a
flexible personality complimented by a sense of
humor will serve the organization well.
- The candidate must support the mission and values
of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and a
demonstrable passion for the principles of Catholic
Social Teaching.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Oversees development and implementation of
the organization’s strategic and operating plans.
Establishes metrics for performance on external
relations, program objectives, financial results,
and operations. This position is responsible for the
Food Bank’s annual operating results and financial
performance.
- Advances the mission and values of Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, supports
Catholic Charities system-wide initiatives and
functions as an essential member of the Catholic
Charities Executive team.
- Assesses organizational capacity to implement
strategies, identifies gaps in systems and staffing,
and develops plans for correction, contingency,
and succession; anticipates factors accelerating
or impacting success. Ensures coordination and
alignment of all activities, initiatives and programs
within the Food Bank’s mission, values, and
strategic direction.
- Works to strengthen and grow the human
capital of the organization, through ongoing staff
and volunteer development. Builds the bench
strength of the organization and creates succession
opportunities for staff. Manages, coaches and
mentors the Senior Leadership Team.
- Supports the Board’s development as the
strategic governing body for the Food Bank.
Identifies and develops issues for Board review,
discussion, input, and action. Helps the Board
maintain an effective nominating process and
provides a thorough orientation for new Board
members. Advocates and supports the Board’s selfstudy,
evaluation, and performance.
- Builds, maintains, and leverages relationships
with diverse constituents, including individuals,
corporations, donors, elected officials, government
agencies and other nonprofit organizations. Builds
effective, durable relationships with strategic
partners.
- Consistently cultivates individuals, corporations,
foundations, and government entities to achieve
fundraising results. Works closely with the Chief
Development Officer to establish strategies and
activities to secure financial resources. Develops
positive and productive relationships with all
potential sources of funding, including individuals,
foundations, corporations, and government
entities.
- Positions the Food Bank as the lead nongovernmental
entity in the Southern Tier
addressing hunger relief through active, positive
relationships with partner organizations, other
hunger-relief groups, government leaders, other
food banks, donors, and volunteers. Provides
leadership in community building and advocacy
regarding hunger and food insecurity issues and
coordinates policy advocacy efforts with Catholic
Charities. Coordinates with Feeding America and
regional food banks to enhance and further the
Food Bank’s work to fight hunger locally, while
working cooperatively with other food banks in the
national network.
- Maintains stewardship and accountability for
the organization’s overall operational, ethical,
and fiduciary integrity, within the guidelines and
policies set by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of
Rochester, the Board and applicable laws and/or
regulations.
Position Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is required; a graduate degree is preferred.
Must be an actively practicing Catholic in good standing.
Five years of executive management or other high level leadership experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead public relations and fundraising campaigns.
Experience in human services is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $155,000 dependent on qualifications and experience.
The Food Bank/Catholic Charities Diocese of Rochester provides a robust compilation of benefits including group health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, generous PTO and a retirement plan.
To Apply
All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit a current resume and cover letter to CEOsearch@foodbankst.org.
The search will remain open until a successful candidate is determined.
Application review will begin immediately.
