Executive Director - Food Systems Leadership Network chez Multiplier
Multiplier · San Francisco, États-Unis d'Amérique · Remote
- Senior
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
The Food Systems Leadership Network (FSLN) is a national peer learning community that connects and supports food systems leaders working to transform the U.S. food system into one that is just, equitable, and sustainable. Since its launch in 2018, the FSLN has grown into a vibrant network of thousands of practitioners, advocates, and organizations across the country who are driving community-centered food systems change.
Through a diverse suite of programs—including mentorship initiatives, leadership retreats, training and technical assistance, communities of practice, incubators and accelerators—FSLN invests in grassroots leaders and amplifies innovative, community-led solutions vital for systemic change. The FSLN plays a unique role in the broader change ecosystem by convening community leaders working across all sectors and scales of the food system to build relationships, share knowledge and strategies, sharpen skills, and forge deeper collaboration. By providing access to resources, building bridges across issue areas, and nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent for the movement for food systems transformation, FSLN accelerates both individual and collective efforts to build a food system that ensures good food, health, and opportunity for all.
In 2025, the FSLN is embarking on an exciting new chapter — transitioning to an independent entity under the fiscal sponsorship of Multiplier. We are seeking an inaugural Executive Director to guide this next stage of our evolution, steward the network’s vision, and ensure its continued impact and sustainability.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Through a diverse suite of programs—including mentorship initiatives, leadership retreats, training and technical assistance, communities of practice, incubators and accelerators—FSLN invests in grassroots leaders and amplifies innovative, community-led solutions vital for systemic change. The FSLN plays a unique role in the broader change ecosystem by convening community leaders working across all sectors and scales of the food system to build relationships, share knowledge and strategies, sharpen skills, and forge deeper collaboration. By providing access to resources, building bridges across issue areas, and nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent for the movement for food systems transformation, FSLN accelerates both individual and collective efforts to build a food system that ensures good food, health, and opportunity for all.
In 2025, the FSLN is embarking on an exciting new chapter — transitioning to an independent entity under the fiscal sponsorship of Multiplier. We are seeking an inaugural Executive Director to guide this next stage of our evolution, steward the network’s vision, and ensure its continued impact and sustainability.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The FSLN Executive Director will serve as the FSLN’s first chief executive and provide visionary, facilitative leadership to shepherd the network into its next phase of growth and impact during a time of great shift and transition for both the network itself and the community food systems movement that it serves. They will work in deep partnership with the inaugural FSLN Leadership Council to build a governance model and organizational infrastructure that centers and strengthens member leadership in the network. They will develop a backbone team of staff and partners to realize the mission, vision, and values of the network, and will work closely with the team at Multiplier to develop organizational capacity that enables the network to scale its reach and impact. This role involves high level change management, deep stakeholder engagement, and the development of sustainable organizational structures and resources under a fiscal sponsor framework. The ideal candidate will be a skilled strategist, coalition-builder, and organizational leader who thrives in dynamic, networked environments and is committed to equity and justice in food systems.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic, Emergent Leadership:
- Lead the visioning and implementation of FSLN’s next chapter as an independent network.
- Provide facilitative leadership in developing, communicating, and implementing a compelling and common vision, mission, and overall impact strategy that is centered in the network’s values and commitment to racial equity.
- Cultivate new partnerships, ideas and approaches that will help fulfill the network’s vision and mission.
- Act as a heart-centered thought leader and champion for equitable, community-driven food systems transformation.
Network Stewardship & Field Building:
- Partner with FSLN Leadership Council, network members, funders, and partners to co-design and activate governance and operational frameworks for the network.
- Nurture relationships with FSLN’s diverse membership, ensuring programming, communications, and offerings reflect members’ needs and priorities.
- Foster connection, collaboration, and peer-to-peer learning across the network and with other coalitions, networks and formations in the broader movement.
- Represent the FSLN in national and regional conversations, elevating the voices and experiences of grassroots practitioners.
Organizational and Team Management:
- Build, lead, and support a high-performing, values-driven team that reflects the FSLN’s commitment to equity, collaboration, and inclusion.
- Establish and nurture an organizational culture that fosters trust, creativity, accountability, and shared learning.
- Support staff development through coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Oversee operational systems and processes (finance, HR, compliance, and administration) in partnership with Multiplier to ensure efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.
- Develop policies, systems, and practices that support organizational health, transparency, and accountability.
Resource Development & Budget Management:
- Oversee annual budgeting for the organization.
- Work collaboratively with Multiplier to manage the project budget and cash flow, ensuring there is sufficient, ongoing funding for project expenses.
- Develop and execute a robust fundraising strategy to ensure financial sustainability.
- Cultivate relationships with funders, donors, and partners, articulating the unique value of networked approaches to food systems transformation.
- Pursue diversified revenue streams, including grants, contracts, and earned income opportunities.
Program Design and Management:
- Provide oversight and leadership for the network’s programmatic work, including design, administration, implementation, budget management, evaluation and reporting.
- Design and deliver network services in partnership with team members, contractors, and partner organizations.
- Facilitate opportunities for member engagement, collaboration, and leadership development through communities of practice, webinars, and other platforms.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is energized by possibility and motivated by purpose. They bring humility and curiosity to their work, listening deeply to the wisdom of network members and partners and valuing collaboration over competition. They are as comfortable building authentic relationships with grassroots practitioners as they are engaging with funders, policymakers, and national allies. They will thrive in dynamic, evolving environments, bringing steadiness and vision to moments of change. They have a knack for holding complexity - balancing the needs of a diverse network while charting a clear and compelling path forward. They see leadership as a practice of service, trust-building, and power-sharing rather than authority alone.
Colleagues describe them as relational, thoughtful, and principled - someone who brings both rigor and warmth to their work. They are creative and entrepreneurial, eager to experiment with new approaches while grounding decisions in values of equity and justice. They are transparent and accountable, able to celebrate successes while also acknowledging challenges with honesty and optimism. Most importantly, the ideal candidate is inspired by the collective potential of the Food Systems Leadership Network and excited to steward its growth in partnership with a dedicated staff, leadership council, and community of practitioners nationwide.
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE REQUESTED:
We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position, lending his/her/their flair to the trajectory of the role. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:
- A passion for the FSLN’s mission and vision.
- Extensive experience US food systems development and transformation, with a strong understanding of movement strategy and grassroots initiatives
- Proven track record in organizational leadership and change management, particularly in leadership transitions and complex situations.
- Proven success balancing the vision of an organization with the day-to-day program and operational details. Ability to prioritize and work well under pressure and time restraints.
- Experience managing staff, contractors, and consultants. Familiarity with fiscal sponsorship models and nonprofit governance.
- Demonstrated operational skills as well as the ability to manage time and resources, including budget, organizational planning, and infrastructure development.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and working with diverse funding sources.
- Superb interpersonal and relationship management skills.
- A self-starter, comfortable working independently and with little or no direction.
- Excellent communication skills: written, email, presentations, phone and in person. People enjoy engaging with you.
- You’re very self-aware of what you know, and what you don’t know, and are great at bringing in other people to round out your personal expertise.
- You’re a creative thinker and do-er and you thrive on making things happen
- At least 10 years of relevant experience, acquired through formal education and/or sector relevant work.
