Chief Executive Officer - Food First Nl

Higher Talent is excited to conduct a search for a passionate and confident Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Food First NL, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
WHO WE ARE:Food First NL is a provincial non-profit with more than 25 years of experience leading programs and advocacy across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our team of more than 20 staff works to advance everyone’s right to food in Newfoundland and Labrador by advocating, organizing, taking action, and valuing people. Together, we work towards a vision of a province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity.
If you’d like to read more about our Mission, Vision, and goals, you can find them here in our Strategic Framework. Food First NL is entering a new phase of strategic planning, with a new Strategic Framework being completed during the course of this recruitment process. The incoming CEO will play an important role in helping shape and advance this next chapter for the organization
THE ROLE:The CEO is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction for Food First NL. This includes ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization, facilitating strategic and operational planning, building and expanding relationships and partnerships, building capacity among staff and ensuring effective program delivery, overseeing responsible financial management and administration, and supporting effective governance.
This role also offers a unique opportunity to advocate for the well-being of all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Food First NL is a prominent organization in this province’s public conversation, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.
At Food First NL, we value authenticity, accountability, and equity, all while working to highlight and amplify the strengths in our communities. We do this work because we believe a better food system is possible.
ABOUT YOU:As CEO, you will provide strategic leadership to Food First NL, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, partners, funders, and community stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission and long-term impact.
Leadership and Governance:You will lead the organization’s short- and long-term strategic planning, organizational development, and annual work planning. Working closely with the Board of Directors, you will support effective governance, policy development, organizational decision‑making, and the implementation of strategic priorities.
You will foster a strong, collaborative relationship with the Board Chair and Directors, keeping the Board informed and engaged while supporting the recruitment, orientation, and development of new Board members.
Fund Development and Financial Management:You will provide strategic oversight of Food First NL’s financial sustainability and lead efforts to build a diverse and strong funding base.
This includes identifying and pursuing funding opportunities across government, private, philanthropic, and other sectors, as well as exploring opportunities for revenue generation. You will build and maintain strong relationships with funders and ensure timely, accurate, and compelling financial and narrative reporting that clearly demonstrates the impact of their contributions.
You will also provide oversight of organizational financial planning, budgeting, and management, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities and the long-term sustainability of the organization.
Communications, Public Relations, and Advocacy:As a key ambassador for Food First NL, you will serve as the organization’s public face and lead spokesperson. You will represent Food First NL with confidence and credibility through media interviews, presentations, panel discussions, conferences, and other public forums. To set the conditions for success, you’ll oversee the development and implementation of effective communications strategies.
As an advocate, you’ll bring Food First NL’s messages about policy change to the public and to all levels of government. You’ll work as part of multiple coalitions, connect with partners across the country, and oversee the research and writing that creates the foundation for policy change.
Human Resources and Organizational Development:You will provide strategic oversight of Food First NL’s human resources, ensuring the organization has the people, skills, and organizational capacity required to achieve its goals.
Valuing people is one of Food First NL’s core pathways to impact. As CEO, you will support a positive, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture. Staff will look to you to ensure that Food First NL is always intentionally working to better understand and implement ideas of equity and justice.
Alongside the leadership team, you will review and evolve Food First NL’s organizational structure and human resource policies and practices. You will provide oversight to recruitment, orientation and training, supervision, performance management, and professional development.
Network and Partnership DevelopmentYou will be a relationship‑builder and connector, developing and maintaining strong partnerships with organizations, agencies, community leaders, champions, funders, and other stakeholders across Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.
You will identify opportunities for collaboration, build strategic relationships, and represent Food First NL in networks and partnerships that strengthen the organization’s reach and impact.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
An attractive total compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package including:
Annual leave of 15 days to start, with 1 additional day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days.
15 Paid Public Holidays plus 3 days closure between Christmas and New Years
12 Community Service and Food Provisioning days.
Ample sick and personal leave time available as needed.
Group Insurance Plan inclusion after 90 days.
Starting Salary: Between $81,995 and $91,105 depending on experience. A cost of living increase is applied annually every February. Seniority-based increases are also applied annually until the top of the salary band (currently $100,216) is reached. Salary is set according to a salary scale and is not negotiable.
Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with local decision‑making.
A home base in St. John’s with a flexible work environment with the opportunity for a hybrid of in‑office and remote work and regular provincial and national travel.
A significant amount of provincial travel is necessarily done by car – you don’t need your own vehicle for this role, but you do need a valid drivers’ license and a clean driving record.
EQUITYFood First NL recognizes that systemic barriers related to gender, race and ethnicity, Indigeneity, ability, physical and mental health, age, and socio‑economic status limit or prevent people’s equal access to power and resources within society. In order to address these barriers within our own organization and the broader community, Food First NL is committed to practicing equity in all aspects of our work, including hiring.
At Higher Talent we recognize the value of diversity and are committed to making intentional steps toward building inclusive teams that better reflect the communities Higher Talent, and the organizations we serve operate within. We believe that inclusion is not just about making room at the table but about seeking out talent through a diversity lens and letting everyone know that their unique perspectives are important contributions to building stronger workplaces in a changing world. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for our posted positions. We welcome candidates to self‑identify or make our recruitment team aware of any potential accommodations they may need during the recruitment process. This opportunity is only available for candidates legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.
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