Job: Managing Director, Accokeek Foundation Community Farm

Job: Managing Director, Accokeek Foundation Community Farm, Maryland, 2013 The Accokeek Foundation Community Farm, LLC (AFCF) is an operating division of the Accokeek Foundation, a nonprofit in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The purpose of this LLC is to instruct and provide land-based training to individuals on agriculture and farming in general, the principles and practices of sustainability, and innovative and regenerative farming techniques, for the purpose of improving or developing their capabilities; and to combat community deterioration through job training for disadvantaged farmers and job creation in the agriculture sector. AFCF is seeking a qualified Managing Director to lead the start-up phase of this project. The Managing Director should be a dynamic individual with business experience in agriculturally-related industries who can effectively market the project to potential stakeholders, clients, and sponsors, including local professionals and industry specialists, corporate CEOs, and foundation managers.

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The Managing Director must also be able to recruit high quality agricultural and related industry stakeholders, coach entrepreneurial businesses, identify the needs of the tenant businesses, and facilitate the use of outside resources. It is highly desirable that the Managing Director have first-hand experience in a relevant field or direct experience managing a successful incubator program in a rural community.

The Managing Director will have ultimate responsibility for AFCF operations and finances and will be charged with all developmental and capital activities. The Managing Director must have experience maintaining and benchmarking existing programs and ensuring continuity of service to clients during significant capital construction projects. A proven track record in construction project management is a plus.

The Managing Director must be able to impart the vision of the project to the general public and, through the selling of that vision, enlist the assistance of experts in the various fields of business development, industry, and training to both internal and external audiences. The Managing Director must also be sensitive to the dynamics surrounding the AFCF project and its relationship to Accokeek Foundation programs.

The Managing Director must also have a proven ability and capacity to develop partnerships and work with various government and private sector representatives. In the initial phases of the project, the Managing Director will serve as the interface to the professional resource network, and will oversee the deal screening process to ensure that only qualified companies are admitted into the programs. Because no single individual can be expected to be fully knowledgeable in all aspects of entrepreneurship and finance required for this type of activity, the Managing Director must understand what is needed and be able to bring free and low-cost assistance into the AFCF to fulfill those needs.

It is highly desirable for the Managing Director to have experience with nonprofit organizations, especially strategic management for mission advancement. The Managing Director will work with the Board of Managers, other senior staff, and fundraising staff to identify public and private funding prospects, develop an annual fundraising plan, and solicit major grants and gifts. The Managing Director will support fundraising by contributing to proposal development, providing tours and briefings for funders, and developing project status reports to funders. The Managing Director will participate in fundraising and cultivation activities, including meetings, events, site tours, special programs, and other outreach to potential donors and partners.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management, finance, accounting, or similar discipline is required plus ten years of relevant experience and progressive employment. A Master’s degree is preferred, but may not be substituted for experience.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Reports to: Accokeek Foundation Community Farm Board of Managers

To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to info@accokeek.org with the subject “Community Farm Managing Director.” For best consideration, please apply by June 17, 2013. 

The Accokeek Foundation conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the organization’s staff and visitors. This position is open until filled. The Accokeek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.