Co-Director of Programming, Operations, and Strategy

FRESH New London (freshnewlondon.org) is a small food justice non-profit located in New London, CT. Our mission is to build momentum for food system change through local agriculture and youth empowerment.  We use food to connect to the community, encourage leadership, inspire stewardship and incite change.  FRESH is focused on urban farming, community gardening and youth, as a way to build resiliency in our City and to inspire more people to take part in the community food system. 

FRESH Core Values

Environmental Stewardship

Health and Wellness

Racial and Social Justice

Our Community: Our Culture, Our People, Our Place, Our Power

Young People and the Future

Sense of Humor and Fun!

FRESH New London is fiscally sponsored by TSNE (tsne.org).

Towards our values of equitable distribution of power, FRESH is piloting a new leadership structure beginning in summer 2023 that will split the former role of executive director into two equal, but distinct roles. These roles will share the overall responsibility to lead FRESH into the future, maintain financial stability, and explore impactful programming, while embodying the organization’s values. The role of Co-director Programs, Operations, and Strategy will oversee the day-to-day operations of FRESH New London’s core programs and gardens. In addition, they will work with the FRESH Advisory Board (FAB) and Co-director of Development, Administration and Strategy on long and short term planning.

Organizational Strategy and Executive Leadership

These priorities will be shared with the Co-director of Development, Administration, and Strategy (Co-director of Admin). 

• Co-develop, implement, and evaluate long and short-term strategic direction, programming and projects, and organizational policies for FRESH, in conversation with staff, stakeholders, community members, and donors. 
• Share the role of chief executive officer and principal spokesperson for the organization.  
• Ensure that programs and projects reflect FRESH mission, values, vision, and community needs. 
• Develop and maintain close relationships with members of all ages, community partners, FRESH property owners, and the city administration; maintain an understanding of the local and regional context for FRESH’s work.
• Be the main contacts for FRESH’s fiscal sponsor; ensure compliance with fiscal sponsor policies, record keeping, budgetary issues, human resources, contract management and all other related areas; participate in advisory council and/or other collective work with the fiscal sponsor. Co-Director of Admin will take the lead.
• Regularly partner with the FRESH Advisory Board (FAB) Chair to support FAB involvement with FRESH; keep FAB informed about general operations and budgetary matters; consult with FAB on strategic decisions as appropriate. 
• Administer site management and development, ensure compliance with land leases and all other property matters for all FRESH garden sites. 
• Act as the lead for risk management regarding growth, public relations, and other organizational matters.
• Support FRESH employees to work as a team, provide regular, open, and transparent communication, and foster a positive work environment. 
• Identify development and training opportunities. 
• Promote an organization-wide understanding of strategies to promote a sustainable, culturally sensitive, and equitable food system in our community that supports food security and well being.

Program and Project Management

• Direct all day-to-day operations and programs for the growing food and youth leadership areas; oversee community outreach and membership development efforts.
• Supervise or support supervision of all program staff; including rising youth leaders. 
• In partnership with co-director collaborate on recruitment, hiring, compliance, evaluation, and training of all staff positions.
• Develop and maintain leadership development pipeline for youth to advance from entry level throughout the operations of the programs.  Ensure the youth programs foster leadership development and provide youth with effective mentoring and support. 
• Regularly evaluate programming for mission alignment, with feedback from community members, youth, and all staff. 
• Direct the ordering and purchase of all FRESH program supplies. Ensure adequate resources are available for all operations and in line with budget availability.
• Fill in to support all organizational functions, specifically program tasks, any and all, as needed. 
• Mentor program and project staff to implement FRESH initiatives, solve problems, suggest innovations, and grow each program mindfully and in line with our values.  
• Measure the program through qualitative and quantitative measures to report on successes, reflect on growth areas, and improve where feasible. 

Program Administration  

• Provide formal staff annual evaluations for all program staff. 
• Track program expenses and compare budget; provide quarterly updates. 
• Provide timely and accurate expense reports to fiscal sponsor. 
• Assist Office Manager and Co-Director to collect program data. 
• Oversee the maintenance of gardens and other FRESH program sites.
• Maintain FRESH vehicles, power tools, and other program assets.  
• Participate in communications, meetings, and training with fiscal sponsor.

 Other Responsibilities

• Drive FRESH vehicle, as needed.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Five or more years working at the intersections of youth leadership, urban farming and food justice, preferably with a grassroots or community based organization 
• Documented interest in food justice and food sovereignty work, including grassroots organizing. 
• Experience developing and facilitating community-based programs, including staff supervision, evaluation and support
• Enthusiasm and passion for youth power and leadership
• Experience working directly with youth of color, low-income communities, and/or other oppressed peoples.
• Strong analysis of systems of oppression and the impacts of racism on the food and health
• Experience overseeing a team to successfully accomplish shared goals. 
• Experience with coalitions, networks, and/or local government entities
• Experience in a diverse work environment.
• Successful background check CORI/SORI
• Valid Driver’s License
• Community ties to the New London community would be a major plus! 

Attributes of FRESH Leadership 

• A leader with a proven interest and track record in creating an inclusive organization. 
• Strong communicator across methods and organizational membership, preferably bilingual 
• Commitment to racial and social justice
• Assertive 
• Tenacious with a can-do attitude  
• Approachable to a diverse set of people: community members, stakeholders and funders 
• Passionate about food access with dignity 
• High level thinker with superior organizational skills 
• Diplomatic and motivated 
• Agile under pressure 
• Passion for cultural diversity and has demonstrated cultural competence in the leadership. 
• Passionate about building and creating a meaningful organizational community 
• Values transparency in leadership 
• Values inclusive decision making and non-hierarchical systems. 
• Believes in building community power, including youth power.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Ability to sit and/or for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position.
• Need to lift and/or move materials or equipment, up to 50 pounds.
• Work on a farm;
• Weekend and evening availability is required for this position;
• Work in different environments, including on a farm and/or outdoors in all seasons;
• Perform repetitive tasks for long periods of time;
• Flexibility with scheduling is required.
• Live in or near New London to maintain our garden sites.
• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed at F.R.E.S.H New London, CT.

Compensation: The pay range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000yr and is commensurate with experience.

Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, often with the addition of nights, weekends, and/or Monday work. This person will be available on-call for all garden or equipment maintenance issues.  

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and health leave time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• ...and more!

TSNE/FRESH strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/FRESH prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/FRESH celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/FRESH's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.