Executive Director - Detroit Food Academy

Detroit Food Academy (DFA) has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to find its next Executive Director . At Detroit Food Academy, food is more than a meal—it’s a gateway to learning, leadership, health, and opportunity. Through edible education, mentorship, and industry immersion, we help young people cultivate essential life skills, grow confidence, and build college and career pathways within our food system and beyond. We see a Detroit where young people are powerful – leading, changing, and co-creating the future of our food system and beyond. DFA is a 501c3 nonprofit servicing Detroit youth ages 10-24 years old.

About the role

Detroit Food Academy is seeking an Executive Director to steward our organizational vision, values, and strategic plan into the next chapter. The ideal candidate is a leader with a proven track record of growing mission-driven organizations and managing multiple sets of stakeholders, including staff, funders, and Board members. You are passionate about youth development, excited to coach and mentor your team, well-organized, skilled in project management, and committed to building sustainable, long-lasting relationships throughout the organization and in our community. You are personable, approachable, receptive to feedback, and eager to grow.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Lead DFA in collaboration with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors, ensuring alignment between governance, staff, and mission.
• Facilitate and advance DFA vision, values, and strategic plan, establishing systems that translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• Lead the development and implementation of DFA’s annual vision, budget, and strategic planning processes, with structures for accountability and progress monitoring.
• Design and oversee systems that support staff in visioning, planning, executing, and continuously improving high-quality, year-round programming.
• Develop and lead intentional team-building frameworks that strengthen trust, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain systems that foster collaboration and connection across DFA programs, partners, and staff.
• Cultivate a positive and engaging organizational culture through structured practices rooted in mutual respect, continuous improvement, and effective conflict resolution.
• Exercise and model outstanding leadership and communication, supported by systems for feedback, transparency, and organizational learning.
• Drive organizational excellence by implementing processes for evaluation, innovation, and ongoing improvement.
• Oversee and strengthen DFA’s systems of staff accountability, performance improvement, professional development, training, hiring, and human resources policies and procedures.
• Direct and improve systems for marketing and communication to ensure consistent, mission-driven messaging and engagement.
• Oversee organization-wide systems for data collection, analysis, and application to drive decision-making, impact measurement, and strategic growth.

Fund Development & Fiscal Leadership

• Develop and execute dynamic fund development goals and strategy, including a robust individual giving program, annual in-person event, and year-round donor stewardship.
• Oversee all fundraising efforts and ensure budgetary needs are met.
• Lead major gifts cultivation and stewardship, building long-term relationships with high-capacity donors.
• Develop corporate and foundation partnerships, securing sponsorships and institutional support.
• Establish and grow a planned giving program (bequests, trusts, legacy gifts) to build long-term sustainability.
• Craft and communicate a compelling case for support through storytelling, presentations, and fundraising communications.
• Oversee the grant writing and management process, ensuring compliance, reporting, and funder engagement.
• Leverage data, prospect research, and fundraising analytics to identify opportunities and evaluate effectiveness.
• Direct and maintain donor database/CRM systems to support accurate tracking, segmentation, and relationship management.
• Inspire, train, and mobilize the Board of Directors and volunteers in fundraising efforts.
• Champion innovative fundraising strategies, including digital campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, and community engagement initiatives.
• Ensure all fundraising activities uphold the highest standards of equity, inclusion, and ethical practice.
• Oversee organizational accounting and financial processes in collaboration with the Board and accounting partners, ensuring fiscal integrity and transparency.

External Relations & Strategic Partnerships

• Serve as the primary representative and public face of DFA, ensuring consistent communication of mission, values, and impact.
• Develop and sustain systems for community engagement and partnership-building, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, coalitions, and networks.
• Advise DFA and staff on strategic partnerships and opportunities for policy engagement, particularly in areas of food policy and advocacy, building processes to track and evaluate impact.
• Participate as a thought leader in stakeholder, community, and network meetings, positioning DFA as a trusted voice and collaborator.
• Oversee and implement structured processes for contracts, agreements, and MOUs, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, compliance, and accountability.

Salary

The salary band for this position is $100,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits & Perks

• Flexible monthly healthcare & wellness stipend ($400 for individual, $800 for family)
• 20 days PTO + 20 paid holidays
• 401K option
• $2,500 professional development stipend
• Paid parental leave
• Technology support

Work arrangements & Location

The position is hybrid with expectations of at least three days per week in our office at 4444 2nd Ave, Detroit MI 48201.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

DFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ability, weight, gender, sexual orientation or age. DFA gives full and fair consideration to applications from disabled persons and to provide appropriate training, development and promotion prospects to persons with disabilities. We strive to reflect the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.