Executive Director, FMI Foundation

Fmi-the-Food-Industry-Association; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 285,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

FMI Foundation in Arlington, Virginia seeks an Executive Director to lead all aspects of the Foundation’s mission, including strategic planning, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. The role requires guiding policies, budgets, and donor relationships to sustain long-term growth and impact in the food industry and beyond.

You will supervise a team, collaborate with FMI’s leadership, and represent the Foundation at conferences and events, with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of progressively responsible experience in food industry and foundation experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in management of strategic plans and budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Experience in development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive fundraising strategies for the FMI Foundation.

Responsibilities

• Overall leadership and management of the FMI Foundation, including fundraising and the development and implementation of strategic initiatives related to the Foundation’s mission to enrich society’s experience with the food industry to amplify its impact on well‑being.
• Support and advise the Foundation Board of Trustees in the creation of policies, programs, and strategic direction of the organization.
• Direct all activities associated with the FMI Foundation Board of Trustees, including meeting planning and providing information on activities related to the mission and progress toward the strategic goals adopted by the Board.
• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive fundraising strategies for the FMI Foundation to support long-term growth and sustainability.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with Foundation contributors, ensuring alignment between donor interests and Foundation programs to sustain and grow support.
• Plan and execute annual fund campaigns and targeted fund drives for special projects, ensuring achievement of revenue goals.
• Provide strategic direction for fundraising events, in collaboration with FMI’s Meetings team.
• Promote the Foundation’s mission and values to all stakeholders.
• Build and maintain external relationships with the corporate and community sectors and other collaborators, cultivating program partnerships and financial support.
• Attend conferences, meetings, briefings, and events to increase the Foundation’s visibility among funders and key stakeholders.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of FMI Foundation website(s).

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Budget management

Public speaking

Team development

Tools

Donor CRM systems

Fundraising analytics

Job description

About the Organization

FMI represents food retailers and wholesalers and develops and promotes policies, programs and forums supporting its members, their customers and supplier partners, and other industry stakeholders in the areas of:

• government relations;


• food and product safety and defense;


• education;


• industry collaboration and networking;


• research;


• health and wellness;


• social, environmental and sustainability programs; and


• communications.

By pursuing these activities, FMI provides leadership and advocacy for the food and consumer product industry worldwide as the industry innovates to meet the changing needs of its customers.

Description

Primary Purpose:

The executive director of the FMI Foundation directs all aspects of the FMI Foundation, including development and execution of strategic plans, policies, programs, research, education, scholarships, grants, activities, and related business.

Essential Job Functions:

• Overall leadership and management of the FMI Foundation, including fundraising and the development and implementation of strategic initiatives related to the Foundation’s mission to enrich society’s experience with the food industry to amplify its impact on well-being.


• Support and advise the Foundation Board of Trustees in the creation of policies, programs, and strategic direction of the organization.


• Direct all activities associated with the FMI Foundation Board of Trustees, including meeting planning and providing information on activities related to the mission and progress toward the strategic goals adopted by the Board.


• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive fundraising strategies for the FMI Foundation to support long-term growth and sustainability.


• Maintain and strengthen relationships with Foundation contributors, ensuring alignment between donor interests and Foundation programs to sustain and grow support.


• Plan and execute annual fund campaigns and targeted fund drives for special projects, ensuring achievement of revenue goals.


• Provide strategic direction for fundraising events, in collaboration with FMI’s Meetings team.


• Promote the Foundation’s mission and values to all stakeholders.


• Build and maintain external relationships with the corporate and community sectors and other collaborators, cultivating program partnerships and financial support.


• Attend conferences, meetings, briefings, and events to increase the Foundation’s visibility among funders and key stakeholders.


• Oversee the development and maintenance of FMI Foundation website(s).

Other Job Functions:

• Contribute to, support, and assist FMI’s CEO and executive leadership staff in the development and execution of FMI’s strategic plan/initiatives.


• Upon request, serve as a representative of FMI’s CEO with Board members or as a substitute for the CEO in her various leadership roles.


• Represent FMI and the FMI Foundation at meetings and events.


• Develop and monitor Foundation budgets.


• Select and manage outside consultants.


• Respond to requests for information and guidance from members and staff.


• Develop support for program activities.


• Recruit and develop staff to support department activities; provide regular advice and guidance to staff.


• Prepare and conduct regular performance reviews and provide active performance management to address success and/or deficiencies.


• Identify staff training needs and arrange through internal and/or external resources to address needs.


• Track staff leave and related administrative paperwork.


• Other duties and projects as requested or required.

Position Requirements

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office environment requiring use of typical business equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, and copier). Ability to travel to meetings and conferences.


• The person in this position will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule Monday through Thursday, requiring a minimum of two days in the office per week during that four-day period and every Friday will be a remote workday (unless business needs require the person to be in the office).


• This person will also be required to be in the office for a minimum of three days per quarter for all-staff \"In-Service\" days.

Education, Skills, and Experience:

• At least 15-20 years of progressively responsible experience in food industry and foundation experience. Managerial experience required.


• Demonstrated leadership in management of strategic plans and budgets.


• Ability to prioritize and tackle multiple tasks. Maturity and ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations.


• Demonstrated success in developing and executing fundraising strategies and meeting revenue goals.


• Experience managing donor relationships, including major gifts and corporate partnerships.


• Experience in development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive fundraising strategies for the FMI Foundation to support long‑term growth and sustainability.


• Strong understanding of donor database systems and fundraising analytics.


• Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.


• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to edit and proofread.


• Strong customer service and team orientation.


• Strong problem‑solving skills.


• Ability to meet strict deadlines and hold others accountable for deadlines.


• Excellent project and time management skills, proven ability to organize, prioritize and accomplish multiple tasks with strict attention to detail, and a proven track record of delivering on commitments with minimal supervision.


• Personal drive, determination, flexibility, open‑mindedness, and ability to be a team player.

Pay Range:$285,000to $350,000 (annually)

This salary range reflects the minimum and maximum annual compensation for this position and has been established in good faith and in accordance with Virginia and federal law. Individual salary offers within this range will be based on the candidate's relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, and other job‑related factors.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

FMI is an equal opportunity employer.

Number of Openings 1

EOE Statement FMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider applicants for this position without regard to any category protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status or uniformed service member status.

This position is currently accepting applications.