First Slice Executive Director Position

Executive Director
First Slice

The Organization

Founded in 2001 by award-winning Chef Mary Ellen Diaz, First Slice (http://www.firstslice.org/) is a non-profit, community-supported kitchen that regularly provides high quality wholesome meals to thousands of Chicago’s most needy people. Its mission is to use food as a magnet for social services. Designed to be self-sustaining, First Slice is funded by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, as well as proceeds from its for-profit sister organization, the Pie Café which sells café fare, catering services and meal subscriptions. First Slice is a designated 501(c)3 organization.

Since its inception, First Slice has steadily expanded its outreach programs, working with various churches, schools, youth groups and community centers. First Slice served more than 37,000 meals in 2007, and currently serves close to 4,000 meals each month to Chicago’s hungry. Every month, First Slice hosts school groups in its kitchen, teaching children about homelessness and hunger in Chicago as they prepare meals for children in need. The Soul Food Pantry Bus, a mobile meals program, is the newest initiative and specifically targets homeless populations with limited access to social services.

First Slice is now operating at capacity, yet there are numerous requests from partner organizations for expanded or new food programs. Current plans call for construction of a second kitchen, establishment of a comprehensive food service job-training program, and opening of a second restaurant, all within the next year.

The Position

The newly created position of Executive Director is key to the continued development and expansion of First Slice outreach programs. Working collaboratively with Mary Ellen Diaz, who functions as Creative Director, and reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have four primary areas of responsibility:

· Operations. Working closely with the Creative Director, the Executive Director will think strategically about program definition, development and growth. S/he will ensure the effective implementation of First Slice outreach programs and initiatives, and will design systems for monitoring, reporting and evaluating results.




· The Executive Director will ensure that the website and all printed and published materials reflect and promote First Slice’s mission, and will oversee maintenance of various databases that are critical to smooth operation.

· Administration. The Executive Director will work closely with the Treasurer and Bookkeeper, and will be responsible for accurate, timely financial reports for management and 501(c)3 compliance. Additionally, the Executive Director will develop annual operating budgets, as well as a 3-year strategic financial plan.

· Management. The Executive Director will manage all volunteer coordination and scheduling activities. As outreach programs expand, The Executive Director will take the lead in building, developing and managing a strong and effective team. S/he will play a pivotal role in the establishment and expansion of the job-training program.

· Fundraising. The Executive Director will have primary responsibility for expanding and diversifying the First Slice funding base, with focus on individuals, corporations and foundations. S/he will implement systems to support donor cultivation, and will work closely with the Board to provide necessary staff support for all fundraising activities and special events. Along with the Creative Director, the Executive Director will play a key role in cultivating and maintaining external relationships.

The Individual

The successful Executive Director candidate will be energetic, open-minded, well organized and flexible. Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced, non-traditional and sometimes chaotic environment, s/he will be passionate about the First Slice mission, and possess excellent communication, interpersonal and management skills. The Executive Director will be a collaborative and supportive leader who instills regard for quality, accountability and attention to details.

Qualifications of the ideal Executive Director are:

· 10 years’ diverse management experience in a high growth non-profit environment
· Proven ability to build, develop, manage and maintain a high performance team of employees and volunteers


· Excellent project management skills, with demonstrated ability to achieve milestones, deadlines and budget objectives
· Has managed a significant budget ($1,000,000), handling all financial reporting and filings required of a 501(c)3
· Proven success developing and tapping into individual, foundation and corporate funding sources
· Experienced with development and implementation of job training programs
· Bachelor’s degree
· Experience in a restaurant or related food service environment is a plus, though not required
· Bilingualism (Spanish/English) is a plus, though not required

Compensation

The Executive Director will earn a competitive salary commensurate with level of experience and scope of responsibility. S/he will participate in the employee benefit program to be implemented shortly.

Contact

recruiter@firstslice.org