Executive Director

The Vermont Cheese Council is a Vermont nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting Vermont cheesemakers and promoting the Vermont Cheese brand. The Vermont cheesemaking community is comprised of enterprises of every scale, each of which embraces a culture of mutual support in service of the common good. The Vermont Cheese Council is an equal opportunity employer.

The Executive Director (ED) of the Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) is the chief administrator and key management leader of the organization. The ED will report to the Board of Directors and is responsible for overseeing the financial, operational, and strategic success of the organization. The principal sources of revenue to the Council are member fees, the annual Vermont Cheesemakers’ Festival or Cheese Week, and federal and state grant money. These funds are used to support Vermont cheesemakers with educational and marketing initiatives that advance the Vermont cheese brand, as well as the success of individual Vermont cheesemakers. Other primary duties include management of programs, grants, and projects; communication with membership, strategic partners, and public, and promoting and educating about Vermont cheese.

The successful candidate will have wide authority to dream big and the platform to bring these dreams to fruition. You will be a key partner for every cheesemaker in the state and a vital link in keeping Vermont’s working landscape vibrant and viable. You will be the chief champion for Vermont Cheese and the public face of the VCC, representing it within the industry, with the media, and to the public.

You will have the opportunity to wear many hats and fulfill numerous roles; no two days as Executive Director are the same! This is a full time salaried position. Ideally, the ED will live in Vermont, or close enough to be physically present in the state on a regular basis.

Administrative and Membership Duties Conduct the day-to-day operations of the VCC, including (but certainly not limited to):

• Member outreach
• Manage marketing and communications, including social media and website management
• Regularly update members with news and upcoming opportunities
• Ensure member information and mailing lists are current, and solicit membership dues
• Present an annual report to the membership at the Annual Meeting

Brand Management and Marketing

• Be the face and voice of the Vermont cheesemaking community at events and meetings, both throughout the state and around the country
• Develop relationships within the food industry, media, and with regulators and legislators at state and federal levels to herald Vermont’s role as a leader in artisanal cheesemaking and to advance the interests of the state’s cheesemaking industry
• Work with partners to host buyers, brokers, distributors, and influencers to educate and promote the Vermont cheese brand

Fiscal Management and Development

• With the Finance Committee (to be comprised of two Executive Committee members, a Board member, and an independent financial professional) prepare the VCC annual budget and ensure its implementation and adherence throughout the year
• Keep close track of council finances, identifying contingency measures as needed to achieve financial objectives
• Work with the Finance Committee to effect robust fiscal controls including an annual audit
• Work with Development Coordinator to apply for and report on grants
• Work with Development Coordinator and Development Committee to achieve VCC’s development goals
• Work with Development Coordinator to secure sponsorships for VCC work throughout the year
• Provide guidance and feedback to Development Coordinator

Education and Training

• Work together with Education Coordinator and Education Committee to develop training and educational opportunities for the membership
• Provide guidance and feedback to Education Coordinator

Staff Management

• Hire and manage additional staff as needed to meet organizational priorities, with assistance and guidance from the Board
• Provide guidance and feedback to all staff members on a regular basis
• Maintain an open and collaborative relationship between the Board and the staff

Strategic Visioning and Governance

• Responsible for development and implementation of annual and long-range planning in collaboration with the Board of Directors
• Serve in an ex-officio capacity on all committees and attend all Board of Directors meetings
• Work with the Executive Committee to develop meeting agendas to ensure all needed topics are discussed
• Work with chair of the Governance Committee and President to ensure that all key positions are filled, including committee chairs and positions on the Executive Committee
• Report to the Board on VCC accomplishments and challenges. Recommend and advise on all relevant issues
• Sustainably manage the scope of the organization, if appropriate, pursuing new avenues for revenue growth and augmenting staffing as appropriate
• Identify weak points and opportunities for future development of the organization and propose structural changes

• Self-motivated, independent, and able to thrive without direct supervision
• Passionate about supporting sustainable food systems and working landscapes, especially as relating to cheese and dairy
• Excellent communicator in every facet: competent writer, dynamic speaker, and strong
• interpersonal skills
• Proven leader who inspires and motivates
• Track record of prudent fiscal management
• Strong organizational skills and able to juggle multiple projects at once
• Fastidious and detail-oriented
• Able to travel to attend meetings throughout the state as well as to attend industry events out of state which necessitate overnight travel
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice to have:

• Advanced degree and/or senior non-profit management experience
• Experience in nonprofit management
• Experience grant writing and/or fundraising
• Residence in the State of Vermont
• Knowledge of cheese and the cheese industry

• Please submit a letter of interest/introduction and a resume to hiring@vtcheese.com no later than October 14.