Executive Director

The TaSH Farmers Market is the flagship initiative of Rivertowns Village Green (RVG), a nonprofit organization. Ten years ago, RVG recognized the community's need for more than just a high-quality farmers market — it envisioned a vibrant village green, a space where neighbors could gather, connect, and celebrate together.

Today, the TaSH is an award-winning market, ranked as the second-best in New York State and among the top 50 nationwide. We host about 50 local, sustainable vendors each week, alongside live music, engaging events, and food access programs that make fresh, organic produce available to local food pantries and underserved communities.

To build on this success and achieve our long-term goals, we are hiring our first Executive Director.

This inaugural leader will inherit a thriving and steadily growing market, supported by an experienced Market Director who has overseen operations since its founding and a dedicated, passionate board of community members. The position follows an interim Executive Director who established foundational best practices.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the organization and lead it toward its strategic vision.

We seek a dynamic, innovative professional with experience in nonprofits, small businesses, or community organizations to guide RVG into its next phase. The Executive Director will oversee all administrative and organizational functions, serving as the primary liaison to partners, funders, and the community while directing marketing, communications, and fund development efforts.

The Market Director, who works 20 hours per week, manages all market operations and will report to the Executive Director. The ED will also supervise a part-time administrative assistant. Additional part-time Market Managers report to the Market Director.

This is a salaried role requiring approximately 35 hours per week, reporting to the board. The position is primarily remote but involves occasional in-person engagement with municipal leaders, partners, and the community. While the Executive Director is not expected to attend every Saturday market, attendance at some markets is encouraged.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for food systems, sustainability, community building, and inclusive practices. This role offers a high degree of autonomy, engagement at all levels, and an exciting opportunity to guide a well-loved community institution toward growth and innovation. The organization is committed to work/life balance and keeping this role at 35 hours per week as an average.

If you can see yourself guiding us to extend our concept of the village green beyond its physical and temporal borders, please apply.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director is a dynamic and strategic leader responsible for overseeing all non-operational aspects of the organization, including fundraising, overall administration, marketing and communications, external relations, and collaboration with the board of directors. Reporting to the board, the Executive Director ensures the organization’s long-term sustainability and impact within the community. With a planned annual operating budget of $200,000-$250,000, the role focuses on building financial resilience, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing RVG’s visibility while empowering the Market Director to manage day-to-day operations.

This position will optimize RVG’s current operations, which are primarily centered on The TaSH Farmers Market. It will also prepare the organization for expansion and growth over time, developing programs that are centered in the mission of serving as a village green but extend beyond the activities of the farmers market.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising and Financial Development

• Develop a comprehensive fundraising plan with the board fund development committee to meet and exceed the RVG’s financial goals.
• Partner with the board to execute elements, including sponsorships, institutional funding, and individual funding, including campaigns.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, foundations, and government agencies to secure funding.
• Source potential grant opportunities; partner with the board on grant applications and oversee grant reporting.
• Organize fundraising campaigns to engage the community and generate revenue.
• Oversee the creation and management of the annual budget in collaboration with the Market Director and board.
• Ensure ongoing alignment between operations and budget.

Administration and Organizational Leadership

• Ensure RVG operates within its mission, vision, and strategic goals. Be present during some market days, in particular when the market is at high volume, short-handed, or featuring critical partners. Able to serve as market manager if needed, to supplement market staff, under the direction of the Market Director.
• Lead organizational planning, ensuring alignment with RVG’s long-term goals and financial health.
• Supervise the Market Director and oversee staff and volunteers; develop and adjust staffing model.
• Design and oversee a sustainable volunteer engagement program.
• Develop, refine, and implement policies and systems to promote operational efficiency and compliance.
• Oversee information technology.
• Ensure all compliance requirements are met.
• Working with Market Director, conduct assessments and analyses of qualitative and quantitative data about the performance of the TaSH, community, and best practices for farmers markets overall.

Marketing and Communications

• Create and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to increase the RVG’s visibility and attendance.
• Oversee all communications, including social media, newsletters, press releases, and the website. Identify and implement best practices for onsite and local promotional activities
• Grow the RVG’s brand as a hub for local agriculture, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media outlets to amplify the RVG’s story.

External Relations and Partnerships

• Act as the primary spokesperson for the RVG, representing its mission to diverse stakeholders.
• Cultivate partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community leaders.
• Build strong relationships with farmers, vendors, and community members to ensure alignment with their needs and interests.
• Ensure the RVG is engaged with all sectors of the local community.
• Serve as primary conduit with public officials for the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.

Board Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison between the board and staff, providing regular updates and reports.
• Collaborate with the board to develop and implement strategic priorities. Working together, assess viability of initiatives and ensure outreach efforts are sustainable and equitable in their impact on budget and operations.
• Support the board in its governance and fundraising responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit, farmers market, or community-based organization.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and financial management.
• Exceptional communication and public relations skills, particularly social media experience.
• Strong organizational and leadership abilities, with a collaborative and inclusive management style.
• Passion for local agriculture, sustainability, and community development.

Additional Valuable Skills and Background:

• Proficiency with data management software.
• Experience with marketing and communication programs like Mailchimp, Squarespace, and Canva.
• Spanish fluency.
• Familiarity with and relationships in the Mid-Hudson region.
• Experience in B2B sales.

How Success Will Be Measured

• RVG is able to increase its revenue to scale its programs.
• RVG increases its engagement with all members of the community.
• Capable staff are retained and positive about their work and the direction of the organization.
• Board members are comfortable with their roles and feel they are effectively contributing to RVG’s goals.
• External partners value RVG and expand their engagement.

We recognize you may not have every skill or background listed and we encourage you to apply even if that is the case. We believe in looking at candidates holistically.

Please send a resume and a cover letter outlining why you are right for this role - and why this is role is right for you to jobs@tashfarmersmarket.org by March 7. Priority will be given to submissions made before February 28.

Our process is:

• We will review all applications and identify those whom we will contact for an initial conversation. This will be done with our contract interim executive director (IED).
• Candidates selected from that group will engage in a virtual interview with board members and the IED.
• Finalists will have a second interview which may include staff as well.
• We will review references and extend an offer.

Our intention is to complete the process in April.

Salary is $70,000 per year, which is in line with the budget and the size of the organization. RVG offers PTO and support for technology. This role does not include health insurance or other traditional employee benefits.

DIVERSTY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

RVG respects diversity and is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.