Executive Director

Food Revolution Alliance (FRA) is a newly forming nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all. Building on the life and legacy of bestselling author John Robbins, and founded by him and his son, Ocean Robbins, FRA's goal is to address the chronic disease epidemic, reduce animal suffering, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for life on Earth. Through media, educational programs and campaigns, policy advocacy, and grassroots initiatives, the organization aims to promote systemic change in food systems and to uplift health and well-being for everyone - including, especially, low-income and traditionally marginalized communities.

By creating and implementing its own educational programs, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy efforts, and by working in coalition with other leading organizations and movement-builders in the field, Food Revolution Alliance seeks to inspire lasting changes in food choices, public health policies, and environmental sustainability. With a strong focus on empowering communities and influencing policy, the organization is committed to promoting whole foods, plant-based eating patterns and creating a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.

Specific projects and initiatives will be determined by the founding ED, staff, and board in response to data, insights, and opportunities that emerge. Some of the possible initiatives currently being brainstormed include:

• Piloting support of locally-led initiatives, with intent to document public health uplift in low-income communities (e.g., Navajo Nation; Selma, AL; inner-city Chicago; rural West Virginia) - potentially with film crews to document stories and results,
• Film production (making movies that can reach mass audiences with a food revolution message).
• Produce prescriptions (a campaign to enable doctors to prescribe fruits and vegetables to patients with highly lifestyle-responsive conditions and to have them paid for by Medicare and big insurance companies).
• Double Up Bucks (a campaign to fund SNAP dollars so that they are worth twice as much when used to purchase fruits and vegetables).
• A campaign to get ultra-processed food addiction included in the DSM-5.
• Campaigns to make plant-based dairy alternatives widely available in schools, especially in communities with large numbers of lactose-intolerant students.
• A mastermind for whole foods plant-based food movement leaders.
• Campaigns focused on improving the nutritional value of school meals.
• Creating free online course content hosted by and intended for specific demographics and communities (with a budget for ads to promote the free course content)
• Forming a community-building or activist hub for fellow food revolutionaries to connect and organize by region or topic.
• Regranting funds to small-scale grassroots social justice-themed food revolutionary initiatives.

Position Description

The founding Executive Director (ED) of Food Revolution Alliance will play a pivotal role in shaping the vision, strategy, and operational foundation of this newly forming nonprofit. The ED will lead efforts to build organizational capacity, secure resources, and ensure the effective implementation of programs that align with the mission of advancing healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all. While core structures such as the board of directors, initial filings and documents, banking, and communications infrastructure are in place, the ED will largely be tasked with developing the organization from the ground up, including funding payroll beginning in month four.

Reports to: Board of Directors

Core Responsibilities

1. Organizational Development and Leadership The ED will lead the organization's growth from inception, establishing key operational systems and strategies in partnership with the Board of Directors. They will guide organizational development, build strong alliances, and cultivate a collaborative, mission-driven culture.
2. Fundraising and Financial Management The ED will develop a sustainable financial strategy that supports the organization’s ambitious goals. They will build lasting relationships with donors and secure resources through diversified fundraising channels. They will also ensure the fiscal integrity and long-term health of the organization.
3. Program Development and Management The ED will spearhead the development and execution of impactful programs, creating initiatives that align with the organization’s mission and goals. They will ensure that all programs are measurable, collaborative, effective, and adaptable based on ongoing evaluation and feedback.
4. Public Relations and Advocacy The ED will act as the organization's primary advocate and spokesperson, representing its mission to diverse audiences. They will lead communications efforts, build strategic partnerships, and amplify the organization’s impact through media and advocacy campaigns.

Organizational Development and Leadership

Guide the organization's growth, establish key systems, and foster partnerships while cultivating a mission-driven culture.

• Partner with the Board of Directors to build and implement a strategic plan that advances FRA initiatives.
• Learn from and build alliances with other key allies and community leaders in the whole foods, plant-based movement.
• Oversee organizational growth, including operational systems, personnel, and development of public-facing initiatives.
• Establish goals and objectives that align with the mission and purpose of the organization.
• Recruit, train, and manage a small team, as well as volunteers, as the organization grows.
• Provide regular updates to the Board on progress related to media projects, policy interventions, and community programs.
• Foster a collaborative and mission-driven organizational culture that supports innovation and outreach.

Financial Management and Fundraising

Secure resources through diverse fundraising efforts and ensure the organization’s financial sustainability.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including major donors, foundation grants, and potentially government grants and earned revenues.
• Build strong relationships with vision-aligned donors, forging deep partnerships that are built on authentic connections and shared values.
• Maintain the financial integrity of the organization by overseeing budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Ensure the fiscal health of the organization by raising sufficient funds to fund payroll, advance programs, fulfill commitments, and build up a reserve fund.
• Build, engage, and nurture a network of key donors and stakeholders.
• Pursue funding opportunities that provide general support as well as funding for key strategic initiatives and campaigns.

Program Development and Management

Design and implement impactful and collaborative programs that advance the mission and adapt them based on evaluation and feedback.

• Lead the creation, implementation, and evaluation of programs that advance the mission through targeting program development, media production, media outreach, advocacy campaigns, and grassroots mobilization.
• Design and launch signature programs aimed at making healthy food more accessible and advocating for policy changes that promote public health and sustainability.
• Build partnerships with organizations, community groups, and policy leaders to guide and amplify the impact of campaigns and educational initiatives.
• Track program outcomes and adjust strategies based on results, data, and feedback.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, advocacy groups, and policymakers to drive impactful, mission-aligned programs and results.

Public Relations and Advocacy

Serve as a public face of the organization, leading communications and advocacy efforts to raise awareness and drive impact.

• Serve as a public face of the organization, promoting the organization’s projects and campaigns.
• Advocate for policy changes that support healthy, ethical, and sustainable food systems, with a focus on public health, social equity, and environmental impact.
• Oversee all external communications, ensuring that media, social media, and campaign messaging are aligned with the mission and resonate with the public.
• Build, nurture, and engage relationships with media outlets, influencers, policymakers, donors, and community leaders.
• Develop and implement a communications plan to raise awareness of the organization's educational campaigns, policy efforts, and public health initiatives.

Benefits

More About Us

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Food Revolution Alliance is a committed equal-opportunity employer. FRA recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. At FRA, we aim to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people bring their skills, life experience, passion, and creativity to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We are committed to healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for ALL, and that requires a proactive dedication to advocating for equity, inclusion, and opportunity, including for those communities that have been most negatively impacted by our toxic food culture. We are committed to equality and believe in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other characteristics that enable each person to bring unique talents, insights, and skills.

Work Location

FRA is a fully remote organization headquartered in the US. This position may be performed from anywhere, but we strongly prefer North America-compatible time zones and easy access to the US for networking and fundraising purposes. US-employment eligibility and a US mailing address required.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $110,000, depending on experience and fundraising success. Please note that this position carries a degree of financial risk as the board is only able to guarantee payment for the first 2-3 months. Continued compensation is contingent upon the success of the Executive Director's fundraising efforts. This is a common challenge for founding Executive Directors and should be considered when applying.