Feeding America President & CEO

Application Qualifications

Ideal Experience

The successful background should include most, if not all, of the following:

• Minimum of 15 years of leadership experience at the executive level of a large, complex, geographically dispersed organization in either the for-profit or nonprofit sector.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the development and analysis of metrics and measurements, that has translated into successful operating results.
• Experience attracting, retaining and inspiring talented staff and building a high performance team.
• Experience as a public speaker, comfortable presenting to large groups and the media.
• Enthusiasm for and a commitment to fundraising and the personal skills to be effective raising funds from individual and corporate donors.
• Experience reporting to or serving on a nonprofit and/or a corporate board.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about the issues of hunger in the U.S. and a working knowledge of the dynamics of Capitol Hill.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Critical Competencies for Success

Strategic Leadership: Feeding America has grown significantly in recent years but so has the hunger crisis.  The next CEO will need to provide the leadership to take the organization through its next phase of growth with the ultimate goal of ending hunger in America and a near-term goal of reducing the meal gap by providing 3.63 billion meals annually by FY15.  This will be done by:

• Refining and guiding the implementation of the strategic plan including building the resources and relationships to source and distribute more food;
• Anticipating and proactively addressing potential industry challenges by being engaged and focused on evolving issues;
• Leading courageously and making tough decisions when necessary; and,
• Promoting a culture of accountability around a shared set of goals and strategic priorities.

Relationship & Resource Development: Navigating Feeding America’s complex structure and building relationships both internally and externally will be critically important to the organization’s success.  This will be done by:

• Building and maintaining strong, collaborative working relationships with leaders at the 200+ local food banks which each operate as an independent 501(c)(3);
• Developing relationships and establishing credibility with a broad range of partners, including grocery retailers, food manufacturers, farmers and the government;
• Identifying and cultivating donors to increase private philanthropic support; and,
• Establishing trust and credibility with the board to further develop the capacity of the board and create an open, energizing environment where the respective roles of CEO and Board are understood and honored.

Communications & Advocacy:

• As the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity, the new CEO must serve as the chief spokesperson for the organization and be a passionate and credible advocate in the fight against hunger. This will be done by:
• Articulating the organization’s vision and mission internally and externally in a manner that continues to position Feeding America as the sector’s leading and most reliable voice;
• Maintaining a heightened awareness of issues central to the mission of Feeding America and credibly advocating on behalf of the organization on Capitol Hill; and,

Developing and communicating powerful communications strategies to help translate awareness into action.

Other Characteristics

• A thought leader who studies the issues, seeks out new ideas and works with others in the organization to find the best ways of solving problems
• Sensitivity to and supportive of diversity and multiculturalism
• Orientation toward evaluation and measurable results
• Balance of ego and humility and a sense of humor
• Ability to travel 60% of the time or more, as needed