Executive Director

Executive Director, Community Kitchens

Position: Full-time (Exempt) | Location: Oakland/Alameda County (Hybrid)

Compensation: $150,000 – $175,000 + Benefits

About Community Kitchens

Founded in 2020, Community Kitchens (CK) is a food justice powerhouse dedicated to the principle that free, high-quality food is a human right. We operate at the intersection of immediate relief and systemic change, providing accessible meal programs for unhoused neighbors, Town Fridges, and low-income families while creating economic mobility through culinary workforce development.

Through a landmark partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB), CK is currently scaling its operations countywide. We are not just feeding people; we are leading the advocacy efforts to transform food security systems to be inclusive of all community members, regardless of housing status.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) will be the architect of Community Kitchens’ next chapter of impact. Tasked with doubling the annual budget from $2M to $4M over the next three years, the ED will oversee the expansion of our central kitchen and workforce programs. This role requires a leader who can balance the "ground game" of operational scaling with the "high game" of legislative advocacy and major donor stewardship. Reporting to the Board Chair, the ED manages a leadership team including the Program Director, Executive Chef, and Development Director.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Philanthropic Leadership

• Architect of Sustainability: Design and execute a multi-year development strategy to scale the budget to $4M, diversifying revenue through individual giving, foundations, and government contracts.
• High-Touch Stewardship: Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and institutional partners, cultivating long-term "investment-level" relationships.
• Development Mentorship: Provide strategic direction to the Development Director to ensure grant narratives and fundraising campaigns are high-impact and mission-aligned.
• Fiscal Oversight: Maintain rigorous financial health, overseeing a $1.5M+ budget, quarterly P&L statements, and the annual audit process.

Policy Advocacy & External Relations

• Legislative Leadership: Spearhead policy proposals at the City, County, and State levels to secure permanent public funding for prepared meals for unhoused populations.
• Strategic Liaison: Represent CK in high-stakes environments, from meetings with elected officials to food industry summits, ensuring the organization remains a thought leader in food justice.
• Systemic Reform: Lead the ACCFB partnership to ensure equitable resource allocation and advocate for structural changes to how regional food systems serve the most vulnerable.

Organizational Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Visionary Management: Set and monitor annual program goals for meal production, workforce development (WFD), and volunteer engagement.
• Team Empowerment: Foster a high-performance culture by coaching a multidisciplinary leadership team and facilitating cross-functional workflows.
• Board Partnership: Collaborate with the Board of Directors on governance, strategic planning, and the recruitment of diverse, influential new board members.
• Infrastructure Scaling: Oversee the expansion of the Town Fridge and Home Chef programs and ensure facility and HR systems grow in tandem with program reach.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a high-influence leader with a "growth mindset" and a deep commitment to social justice.

• Executive Leadership: 7+ years of experience in a leadership role, with at least 5 years managing high-performing teams. Proven ability to recruit, coach, and retain top talent.
• Proven Scale: A track record of effectively scaling a nonprofit or social enterprise, including direct experience managing budgets of $1.5M or greater.
• Fundraising Prowess: Demonstrated success in major gift solicitation and a sophisticated understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the Bay Area or similar markets.
• Advocacy & Political Acumen: Experience navigating complex political environments and a proven ability to influence policy or secure government contracts.
• Communication Excellence: A persuasive and passionate communicator who can translate complex social issues into compelling narratives for donors, press, and public officials.
• Operational Integrity: High level of fiscal literacy and experience working closely with a Board of Directors to ensure transparency and ethical governance.
• Mission Alignment: An unwavering commitment to food justice and the belief that the unhoused community deserves a seat at the table in food security planning.
• Execution oriented: Willingness to get involved in the details and “roll up your sleeves” with the actual work, not just strategy
• Strategic & Tactical Thinking:  The ability to think about the big picture while simultaneously managing the daily, granular tasks
• Resourcefulness:  Ability to find solutions, get things done, and make progress with limited resources

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: $150,000–$175,000 commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: 100% Employer-paid Kaiser Healthcare; Medical, Dental, and 401k.
• Time Off: 20 days PTO annually plus 11 federal holidays.