Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Hiring: Executive Director
Organization: FarmFolk CityFolk
Location: remote, anyone living in British Columbia can apply

About Us

FarmFolk CityFolk (FFCF) is BC’s oldest and largest food and agriculture charity. We have been passionately committed to strengthening sustainable food systems where people and the planet thrive since 1993. We take a whole-of-food-systems approach, with programs that go from seed to plate, celebrating local food and connecting people with the farmers who grow and produce it. We connect, collaborate and engage with farmers, growers, producers, academics, policymakers, stakeholders, chefs, and eaters. Together, we are cultivating food systems in BC that are strong, sustainable, equitable and resilient. For more information, please visit us at farmfolkcityfolk.ca.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will serve as the strategic and operational leader, guiding a passionate, values-aligned staff. The ED will be accountable for advancing the organization’s mission through robust program delivery, operational oversight, financial stewardship, and external engagement. This role requires a collaborative, values-driven leader with strong nonprofit management skills and a commitment to food systems development.

Who You Are

• You are a values-driven, steady, and relational leader who brings both vision and care to complex organizational environments who:
• Leads with empathy and accountability and develops strong teams through change and complexity
• Brings credibility with funders (government, foundations, etc.) including through contracts, reporting, and compliance expectations
• Demonstrates a track record of stewarding key relationships and representing an organization with confidence and professionalism
• Balances relational leadership with strong operational and financial discipline
• Partners effectively with the Board and supports committee work with clear reporting and recommendations
• Leads with a commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and culturally safe practice
• Regulate yourself effectively in complex and high-stakes environments, navigating conflict, feedback, and boundaries with composure and discernment.
• Engage challenges with steadiness and a solution-oriented mindset, offering stability, clarity, and trust during periods of change.

Executive-Level Accountabilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead strategic planning and organizational execution aligned with mission, values, and community needs
• Provide leadership to the FFCF team and food systems community
• Advance organizational sustainability and readiness planning to meet evolving community demand
• Lead organizational growth and capacity planning in collaboration with the Board and Management team
• Ensure that community needs and operational realities inform future directions by refining strategic priorities and translating them into actionable workplans.
• Embraces a collaborative leadership style

Governance & Board Partnership

• Partner with the Board on strategy, policy, risk, and organizational performance
• Provide timely, clear reporting and support Board and committee materials and follow-up

Financial Sustainability, Reporting & Risk

• Lead annual budgeting and financial planning; interpret financial statements and provide clear reporting to the Board and committees
• Demonstrate financial prudence and disciplined budget management; ensure resources are allocated responsibly and aligned with strategic priorities
• Ensure responsible stewardship, risk mitigation, and strong internal controls in partnership with Finance committee
• Oversee contracts, compliance, and reporting requirements tied to government funding, foundation grants and other revenue streams
• Ensure compliance with CRA charitable reporting, grant requirements, and all other financial regulations.

Fund Development & Funder Relations

• Provide strategic leadership in line with FFCFs’ need to have a diversified revenue model
• Manage key funder relationships with strong financial and organizational credibility, including the ability to speak confidently to budgets, impact, and sustainability
• Provide strategic leadership to fund development work with the Board, community funders and other possible collaborators to promote sustainable fundraising and growth.

Operations and People Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations, programs, and services
• Recruit, supervise, and support staff, students and key volunteers, empowering their leadership in their roles and tasks
• Ensure effective policies, procedures, and risk management practices are in place and compliant with Employment Standards
• Strengthen and steward HR policies, onboarding/offboarding processes, supervision practices, performance evaluations and management, and conflict-resolution pathways.
• Provide coaching-oriented supervision that fosters role clarity, equitable workloads, and sustainable practices that prevent burnout.
• Ensure a safe, supportive, and anti-oppressive work environment by proactively addressing workplace issues, strengthening communication systems, and ensuring consistent implementation of policies.
• Stay current with trends in non-profit development and engage in professional development opportunities to strengthen the FFCF’s impact.

Community & Interest holder Relations

• Serve as a trusted ambassador with community partners, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and others in the food systems networks
• Serve as the media spokesperson
• Primary team member engaging in food policy work with community partners, elected officials and other decision makers

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience within the non-profit sector, preferably as an ED or in an equivalent role, with demonstrated responsibility for organizational management and community-based service delivery (ideally in non-profit food systems/agriculture environments)
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Proven financial management and fundraising experience, including oversight of complex budgets and successful grant development, implementation, and reporting.
• Excellent communication, both written and oral, facilitation, and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders
• Experience working with a Board of Directors
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and community development
• Demonstrated experience stewarding human resources, including staff supervision, performance management, and remote work settings.
• Strong strategic and operational problem-solving abilities, with demonstrated capacity to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and lead effectively in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain values-aligned relationships within the organization and with external partners, grounded in integrity, respect, and mutual accountability.

Requirements

• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Valid BC driver’s license and access to a vehicle (travel to events will be required)
• Flexible schedule with evenings/weekends as needed (Board meetings, committee meetings, etc.)

Compensation & Benefits

• FFCF offers a comprehensive benefits package (extended health, dental, life insurance), along with vacation and statutory holidays. Benefit details will be shared with qualified candidates during the recruitment process.
• The salary range for this position is $80,000-90,000
• Meaningful leadership role within a long-standing, respected community organization making direct impact in BC’s food systems
• Supportive Board, committed staff team and engaged community partners

How to Apply

Please email your application to: recruitment@farmfolkcityfolk.ca . Please:

• Use the subject line ‘ED - First Name Last Name”
• Send one PDF file containing both your cover letter and resume
• Use the file name ‘ED - First Name Last Name’

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis and the position will remain open until filled. The recruitment committee will start reviewing applications on February 20, 2026; therefore, early submission is highly encouraged.

FarmFolk CityFolk is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We welcome applicants from Indigenous communities, racialized communities, people with disabilities, and individuals with lived/living experience relevant to our work. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process—please email your request to recruitment@farmfolkcityfolk.ca if support is required.

We sincerely appreciate the time and effort of everyone who applies. While we are only able to contact those selected for an interview, we are grateful for your interest in supporting this important work.