Executive Director of Food Outreach

The Rome Group; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Outreach, a prominent nonprofit in St. Louis, is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in driving strategies, fundraising, and organizational performance while ensuring alignment with the mission of 'Food is Medicine.'

This role involves leading a committed team, advancing strategic goals, and engaging with community partners. Applicants should possess a strong background in revenue generation and experience working with a Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a senior role.
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, or similar environments.
• Strong ability to lead through change and ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of Food Outreach's strategic plan.
• Build and lead a high-performing team through transitions.
• Drive diversified fundraising and resource development strategies.

Skills

Leadership experience

Fundraising and revenue generation

Team development

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Job description

Collaborative Strategies is conducting this search on behalf of Food Outreach, a St. Louis-based nonprofit with 38 years of impact. Food Outreach is the region’s only nonprofit providing medically tailored nutrition to individuals living with HIV and cancer, delivering services through medically tailored meals and groceries and medical nutrition therapy.

Food Outreach is positioned for its next chapter, grounded in strong community trust and a clear strategic direction centered on the “Food is Medicine” movement. The organization is advancing key priorities including accreditation, technology and data investment, brand positioning, and readiness for future facility expansion and capital planning. The next Executive Director will accelerate this work by strengthening and diversifying revenue, expanding healthcare and payer partnerships, and guiding a committed team through continued growth and change.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief leader and external representative, responsible for strategy, fundraising, operations, and organizational performance. This role requires a leader who combines deep mission alignment with disciplined execution, data-informed decision-making, and strong executive judgment.

ADVANCE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION

Lead execution of the strategic plan, including continued progress toward “Food is Medicine” accreditation, investment in technology and data capabilities, expansion of healthcare and payer partnerships, and preparation for facility expansion and capital campaign readiness. Balance near-term execution with long-term positioning for growth and sustainability.

BUILD AND LEAD A HIGH-PERFORMING TEAM

Provide immediate leadership stability during a period of transition while maintaining a strong, accountable, and mission-aligned culture. Develop internal leadership capability, strengthen management practices, and ensure alignment across teams. Lead change with clarity, consistency, and presence.

LEAD FUNDRAISING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Partner with the Directors of Development and Programs to drive a diversified and evolving revenue strategy across individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, grants, and emerging healthcare reimbursement and contract opportunities. Serve as a primary external ambassador for key relationships and strengthen a culture of philanthropy and accountability for results.

STRENGTHEN DATA-DRIVEN STORYTELLING AND IMPACT

Define, measure, and communicate organizational impact. Integrate data and outcomes into fundraising, partnerships, and decision-making to ensure a clear and compelling connection between mission, programs, and results.

PARTNER EFFECTIVELY WITH THE BOARD

Maintain a transparent and productive relationship with the Board of Directors. Provide clear reporting on financial, operational, and programmatic performance while supporting strong governance practices and appropriate boundaries between oversight and management.

SERVE AS A VISIBLE COMMUNITY LEADER

Represent Food Outreach across diverse community, healthcare, and corporate audiences. Build and deepen relationships that strengthen visibility, credibility, and access to resources.

ENSURE OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Oversee financial performance, budgeting, and operational effectiveness. Ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline, compliance, and long-term sustainability. Exercise sound executive judgment in complex organizational, personnel, and financial decisions.

You will bring:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including significant time in a senior leadership role (e.g., Executive Director, CEO, COO, Deputy Director, or equivalent) with enterprise-level accountability
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, revenue generation, or business development, including engagement with donors and/or funding strategy
• Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments such as nonprofit, healthcare, public sector, or similarly mission-driven organizations
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop leaders, and build strong organizational culture through periods of change and transition
• Experience working with a Board of Directors or similar governing body, including governance alignment and strategic communication
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including oversight of budgets, resource allocation, and organizational performance
• Ability to translate mission into strategy, priorities, and measurable outcomes using data to inform decisions and communicate impact
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills across donors, partners, staff, and community stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, navigate complex organizational decisions, and operate effectively in evolving environments
• Alignment with Food Outreach’s mission and the broader “Food is Medicine” movement

READY TO APPLY?

If you are interested, qualified, and ready to take the next step, please apply at https://jobs.lever.co/getcollaborative/87c66f06-cd3f-42a2-a793-0507c3eec46e?lever-origin=applied&lever-source[]=The+Rome+Group or directly on our site at https://getcollaborative.com/careers. Please do not contact Food Outreach directly.

About Collaborative Strategies:

Collaborative Strategies, Inc. is a St. Louis-based consulting firm with a dedicated search practice and has been connecting talent with opportunity since 1994. We take pride in matching talented leaders seeking mission-critical endeavors with entrepreneurial organizations.

We value your privacy. Inquiries and resume submissions will always be treated as strictly confidential.