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Job Opening: Executive Director

About Philo Ridge Farm:

Philo Ridge Farm (PRF) is a certified organic 500-acre farm located in Charlotte, Vermont, a vibrant agricultural community in the Champlain Valley, just south of Burlington. As a diversified farm with a decade of production experience, PRF aims to create a new model for small-scale farmers, one that will allow both the land and the farmer to prosper while also serving the community. PRF works with the University of Vermont, the Vermont Land Trust, and others to help monitor and evaluate its impacts on soil health, crop and pasture productivity, water quality, carbon sequestration, and wildlife populations, with the goal of inspiring others who are interested in understanding and supporting regenerative agriculture.

Creating and sharing good food has always been a part of PRF’s work and spirit—as established by the founders Peter Swift, Diana McCargo, and Grant McCargo—who bought the property with the dream of preserving the farm’s agricultural legacy. PRF’s livestock program grazes over 300 acres of perennial pasture and includes ewes, lambs, pigs, chickens, and 100 Belted Galloway cattle. Its garden program grows two acres of organic produce and flowers using farming practices that build soil health, produce a variety of nutrient-dense foods, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and support the local agricultural community. Everything harvested is processed at PRF and sold in the dining facilities and Market which are inspired by a closed-loop nutrient system and serve as year-round gathering places for the community.

After a decade of learning the land, growing with the community, and envisioning the future of farming, the founders have established PRF as a nonprofit foundation so that the farm continues to operate as a community asset for generations to come. PRF believes a key part of this future is to keep working lands working, which is why it will always remain a working farm. Today, PRF is driven to restore the connection between humans and land, valuing curiosity, empathy, honesty, humility, and conversation.

Who We’re Looking For:

Philo Ridge Farm is looking for an outstanding and inspiring leader to be our Executive Director. The Executive Director will be the top senior leadership position on the farm, which operates year-round with a high season from May to October, and will oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations. This person will be an enthusiastic, entrepreneurial, creative, and hands-on leader of all parts of this diverse and innovative farm, including land-based agriculture teams, the market and events space, food service and hospitality teams, and the produce and meat processing facilities. The Executive Director will oversee all business operations, financial tracking and management, leadership development, internal communication, outward-facing marketing, human resources, and administration. In addition, this person will be the key ambassador for PRF’s core values, mission, and story to the local community as well as to the broader food and agriculture community.

The Executive Director must share PRF’s passion for land conservation, growing produce, raising animals, and how they intersect with food and hospitality. They will provide operational excellence through inspiring leadership, strategic thinking, team development, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and participate in the hands-on work of the farm when needed, all while providing experienced financial and operational management of the business. Strong candidates will be equally comfortable managing Excel spreadsheets as they are hosing off their muck boots, all while creating a welcoming, community atmosphere across all aspects of the farm. In this role, the Executive Director will be a facilitator, an active listener, a clear communicator, a mentor, a coach, a mediator, and a source of positive inspiration for the entire team at PRF and someone who can motivate and hold staff members accountable to the foundations ethos and goals. The Executive Director will report to the Philo Ridge Farm Foundation Board, will work daily at PRF, and will need to live locally.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Management

• Lead the design and development of annual strategic goals and a five-year strategic plan in collaboration with the Board
• Adapt and align organizational structures and ways of working as needed to ensure that PRF’s departments, staffing, and budget are aligned with the strategic goals
• Lead the development, implementation, and continual refinement of organizational metrics
• Maintain regular communication with the Board regarding farm operations and performance
• Serve as a steward and model of the farm’s mission, vision, and values
• Provide strategic leadership for current and future entities under the PRF Foundation’s umbrella, including Vermont Livestock Slaughter & Processing

Team Management

• Effectively recruit, train, coach, and develop managers and staff across departments
• Create a positive, inspired team-oriented culture rooted in communication and collaboration
• Ensure accountability by actively demonstrating and teaching exceptional professionalism
• Support individual managers to facilitate staff learning and development
• Hold individual managers accountable to address staff incidents and interpersonal issues
• Support Board in the development and implementation of new business units and teams

Operations Management

• Oversee all aspects of PRF’s day-to-day operations and property management
• Lead daily coordination between all PRF managers, teams, owners, vendors, and providers
• Ensure cross-department integration based on established budgets, priorities, and timelines
• Ensure HR policies are administered consistently and terminate employees when necessary
• Maintain all permits, licenses, insurance policies, and other annual administrative requirements

Financial Management

• Own all aspects of creating, managing, and reporting farm financials on annual and monthly basis
• Develop and deliver the annual operating and capital expense budget
• Coordinate annual planning for each business unit and coach business unit managers to deliver goals
• Prepare quarterly reports on business unit operations, progress toward goals, and budget variances
• Balance operating and capital expense management with research and education objectives
• Liaise with third party legal, accounting, and HR resources to ensure compliance and manage risk

Community Engagement

• Cultivate PRF’s regional and national reputation and engagement in food and farming issues
• Represent and share PRF’s mission and story in the Vermont community and broader region
• Expand PRF’s role in relevant circles around Vermont and the nation

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Board on the content and structure of Board meetings and maintain regular communications
• Track budget to actual performance and report financial information to the Board on a monthly and quarterly basis
• Prepare operational data for presentation to the Board to facilitate efficient, effective decision making
• Establish strong practices to ensure that founding Board members are contributing to PRF’s growth

Qualifications:

Experience

• Executive leadership experience in nonprofit organizations of similar scale, scope and budget, with a record of managing diverse teams in a cohesive, mission-driven way
• Experience working in a relevant place-based organization that welcomes members of the public
• Experience working in agricultural and/or hospitality experience a plus, but not required
• Experience with recognizing and capitalizing on strategic business opportunities
• Strong business, financial, and entrepreneurial abilities in a business or nonprofit leadership role
• Proven ability to forge productive, trusting relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Outstanding capabilities for being a public-facing leader of PRF locally, regionally, and nationally
• Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as project management and presentation skills
• Ability to read, interpret, and develop actionable responses to business financial statements
• Strong computer literacy, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Bachelor’s degree or higher academic attainment preferred

Personal Attributes

• Passion for farming, local food systems, land management, environmentalism, and hospitality
• A leadership style based in curiosity, active listening, collaboration, patience, and persistence
• A communication style focused on clarity, creative problem solving ,and accountability
• Superb capabilities in culture building, team development, facilitation, mentorship, mediation, and individual coaching
• Unwavering standards in delivering an excellent product accompanied by a positive guest experience
• Firm belief in the mission of PRF as well as a love for agricultural life in Vermont

Compensation

Annual base salary range will fall in the range of $150,000-200,000 annually, with possibility of higher salary for candidates with commensurate experience. Employment benefits include contributions toward healthcare premiums; daily staff meals, discounts on meals and groceries, and generous PTO.

Application Process

Candidates should send an email titled “PRF Executive Director” to recruiting@kkandp.com and include a cover letter and resume. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly.