Overview
The Mendo Food Network (MFN) is launching a search for its next Executive Director—an inspiring and strategic leader to guide our mission of ensuring equitable access to healthy food across Mendocino County.
This is a unique opportunity to build on strong community partnerships, expand MFN’s impact, and lead a dedicated team committed to ending hunger locally.
Candidates will possess strong leadership and strategic organizational skills, ideally honed in a not\-for\-profit environment. However, candidates with a robust resume of transferable skills and experience will be considered.
Location is split between the Fort Bragg Food Bank and the offices in the warehouse on Blosser Lane, Willits. This is a full time position with a competitive salary and benefits.
We invite passionate, purpose\-driven candidates to learn more and apply.
Job Title: Executive Director
Reports to: President of the Board
Job Classification: Full Time
Work Schedule: Monday\-Friday 9am\-5pm
Work Location: Willits, Fort Bragg, CA, Remote
Benefits: Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay
The Mendocino Food Network (MFN) is a mission\-driven organization dedicated to ending hunger across Mendocino County by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for individuals and families in need. We value every team member and foster a collaborative, community\-centered culture grounded in dignity, health, and mutual support. Working collectively with our Food Distribution partners, we are committed not only to alleviating food insecurity but to advancing healthier, more stable lives for those we serve—and for one another.
Job Summary:
Responsible for strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and operational oversight of a mission\-driven organization serving food\-insecure populations. This role oversees a $2m operating budget, leads fundraising and donor development efforts (individual, foundation, corporate, and government grants), ensures compliance with federal and California regulations (including CalFresh partnerships, food safety standards, and nonprofit governance requirements), and manages staff, volunteers, and board relations.
The Executive Director serves as the public face of the organization—building partnerships with community agencies, local government, and food suppliers—while driving program effectiveness, measurable impact, and long\-term sustainability.
The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management and Oversight
Develops and enforces established policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure prudent financial management.
In collaboration with the finance team, prepares the annual budget for Board approval and conducts monthly monitoring of revenues and expenses against budgetary goals.
Strategic Planning
Guides the planning, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, managing resources, and translating board goals into actionable operational plans.
Fundraising \& Development:
Leads the organization’s development and fundraising strategy, ensuring sustainable revenue to support mission delivery and long\-term growth.
Cultivates and stewards relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate partners, and state and federal government funders; oversees grant strategy and major gift efforts; and works closely with the Board to expand philanthropic support.
Sets revenue goals, monitors fundraising performance, and serves as the primary ambassador for the organization—clearly articulating impact, strengthening community partnerships, and building a diversified funding base.
Board Administration \& Support:
Supports operations and administration by advising and informing members. Participates in all Board and Board Committee meetings as needed.
Assists the Board Chair in setting agendas and with preparing meetingmaterials. Serves as liaison between the Board and staff.
Provides the Board with timely and accurate accounts of Food Bank programs, needs, challenges, and opportunities to serve.
Community Relations:
Serves as the primary representative of MFN within the community, actively communicating with volunteers, donors, partner agencies, government representatives, community organizations, and the public.
Assures the organization is consistently presented with a strong, positive image to the community and local media.
Maintains working knowledge of hunger and food equity issues and local community resources for those in need.
Maintains a positive and meaningful relationship with state and national food bank associations, such as the California Association of Food Banks and Feeding America.
Maintains and strengthens existing partnerships and builds new ones (USDA, public schools,
Mendocino County government, Department of Social Services, local businesses, and other area nonprofits)
Human Resources:
Responsible for staffing strategy and human resources management, working alongside the Deputy Director. Ensures the organization recruits, develops, and retains a high\-performing, mission\-aligned team.
Line management of Deputy Director, Facilities Director, Development Manager and Executive Assistant, responsible for their performance management, individual development and training.
Oversees workforce planning, organizational structure design, hiring and onboarding of key staff, compensation oversight, and succession planning.
Alongside the Deputy Director, establishes a positive, compliant workplace culture by ensuring adherence to California labor laws, nonprofit employment regulations, and HR best practices, while fostering professional development, accountability, and employee engagement.
In partnership with the Board (as appropriate), the Executive Director also oversees policies related to equity, workplace safety, benefits administration, and conflict resolution to support both organizational effectiveness and staff well\-being.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to MFN’s mission and possess the following qualifications:
● At least five years of executive\-level management experience, encompassing strategic planning, fundraising, staff supervision, financial oversight, and Board relations.
● Proven ability to successfully lead an organization through periods of change and growth.
● Proficiency in identifying, developing, and maintaining strategic partnerships with key external entities, including government agencies, partner organizations, volunteers, and the public.
● Demonstrated ability to build consensus and effectively resolve conflicts within a team setting
● Financial and Operational Expertise:
● Nonprofit organizational experience and a solid understanding of best practices in nonprofit management.
● Experience developing and overseeing an annual budget of $1,000,000 or more.
● Knowledge of accounting principles relevant to nonprofits that receive federal funding
● Familiarity with Feeding America's best practices.
Communication and Technical Skills:
● Outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including confident public speaking proficiency.
● Full computer proficiency, including standard Microsoft Office programs and working knowledge of QuickBooks.
● Excellent organizational skills.
Accountability:
The responsibilities of this position are to be conducted under the supervision of the Board of Directors. They will provide oversight and guidance and conduct requisite reviews of job performance. This position is subject to the terms and conditions of the most current Employee Handbook.
Pay: $93,600\.00 \- $124,800\.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person