Executive Director
Rhino Foods Foundation
Burlington, VT 05401
Job Type
Full-time
Full Job Description
Summary:
The Rhino Foods Foundation (RFF) is seeking a 0.8FTE Executive Director to coordinate general operations, programmatic outreach, and fundraising. Work hours are flexible with opportunity for hybrid in-person / remote working environments (e.g. Rhino Foods Offices, co-working space, home).
The RFF’s mission is to spread innovative workplace practices that champion employee financial stability and make good business sense. Our primary initiative focuses on employee financial stability and spreading the Income Advance (IA) Program—which provides employees with access to emergency funds that help them overcome adversity and get on a path toward greater resilience by helping them build credit and start saving for the future.
The role provides an opportunity to work directly with financial institutions, business leaders and HR staff at innovative socially responsible businesses in Vermont and nationally.
For more information, visit: www.rhinofoodsfoundation.org
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Organize the RFF Team & Manage Administrative Affairs
Develop 1) a lean, responsive, agile team to carry out the work in a collaborative, iterative, and cost-effective way and 2) a supportive governance structure between staff and board.
Support Employers to Implement IA
Leverage opportunities to spread the word about IA, support interested employers, and connect employers with financial institutions. Promote and support the implementation of existing
Income Advance models – or with customized models when necessary. Provide passive implementation support by maintaining up-to-date Income Advance Guide.
Support Financial Service Providers to Offer IA
Leverage opportunities to spread the word about IA, provide marketing support, and help connect financial institutions to employers.
Collect data, info, stories, etc.
Identify IA participants; collect data, information, stories, etc.; and compile it into both detailed impact reports and concise marketing messages. Work with partner organizations to help with the work, provide 3rd party verification, and communicate findings about the value of IA to the funder community.
Establish market position & secure stakeholder support/funding through developing strategic partnerships
Develop strategic partnerships with various types of stakeholders that help the RFF solidify a unique market position, build its reputation, and establish relationships that open the door to near and long term opportunities to both do impactful work and secure funding. Keep eyes and ears open for opportunities and co-create projects and approach funders collaboratively as opportunities arise.
Secure funding support independently
With board support, identify a small number of potential major donors and appeal to them directly – and follow up in customized ways. Send bi-annual reports / appeals to a broad list of potential donors. As IA champions emerge from both the employer side, the FI side, and the institutional funder side, investigate fee-for-service opportunities and other funding opportunities
(Sponsorships, grants, etc.).
Innovation
Keep eyes and ears open for good ideas for financial programs that support the mission. Bring ideas to the People and Culture team at Rhino for piloting innovations.
Qualifications:
Degree (Associates required, Bachelors preferred) in Organizational Management, Business, or a related discipline, plus a minimum of two years relevant business or non-profit management experience.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
Experience in project management including personnel across multiple organizations.
Ability to undertake self-directed and independent work projects.
Ability to work cooperatively with a variety of other company personnel in a team-oriented work setting.
Physical ability to perform all essential job functions, including using office equipment and supplies, sustained use of computer keyboard and screen, bending and stooping.
Strong interest in and commitment to the Rhino Purpose, Principles and Vision, and management philosophy of the company.
Work Environment:
Core office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Alternate work locations and daily work hours can be negotiated.
Intermittent travel in Vermont and nationally will be necessary.
WHERE WE CAME FROM
The Rhino Story
For decades, Rhino Foods founder Ted Castle has been dedicated to helping employees succeed in their jobs, prosper personally, and participate fully in their communities. Under his direction, the Rhino leadership team has focused on establishing relationships with employees and their families, creating a climate of mutual trust and respect, listening empathetically, and ultimately meeting workers’ needs with creative programs that have meaningful, durable impacts on their lives.
In 2018, having attracted some media attention for his work (particularly with refugee employees, which make up about 37% of the Rhino workforce) and realizing that he was looking at an opportunity to impact the way business is done far and wide, Ted formed the Rhino Foods Foundation to advance and spread Rhino’s employee-centered workplace practices, inspire business leaders to think more deeply about their employee engagement strategies, cultivate a national community of collaborative workplace practice innovators, and empower human resource professionals across the country with well-developed programs and tools.