Executive Director, Whole Foods Market Foundation

About Whole Foods Market Services, Inc.

Whole Foods Market, a leader in the organic and natural foods retail industry, was founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas. The company is known for its commitment to providing the highest quality natural and organic products available, promoting sustainable agriculture, and maintaining strict quality standards. Whole Foods Market operates more than 500 stores in North America and the United Kingdom, and it is recognized for its strong corporate culture and dedication to environmental stewardship. Whole Foods Market Foundation (WFMF), a private operating foundation under the 501(c)(3) designation, was established to further the company’s purpose of nourishing people and the planet. The foundation focuses on advancing healthy food access, nutrition, and economic opportunities in local and global communities. WFMF manages several key initiatives, including Whole Cities, Whole Kids, and Whole Planet, to support community health, education, and livelihoods.

About this Role

Whole Foods Market Foundation (WFMF) is on a mission to advance healthy food access, nutrition and economic opportunities in local and global communities. We are a dynamic, diverse, and fast-paced team that is highly collaborative internally and externally, leveraging shared resources and creating innovative solutions. The Executive Director (ED) provides strategic direction for Whole Foods Market Foundation and its projects: Whole Cities, Whole Kids, and Whole Planet. This position leads the team and oversees all aspects of WFMF including programs, development, fundraising, communications, engagement and education, business, and financial planning. The Executive Director represents WFMF with a wide variety of stakeholders across Whole Foods Market and externally, including Community Partners, Clients, and Donors. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the ED drives the vision and leads operations as a 501(c)3 organization. The ED develops and implements strategic plans to achieve organizational goals and objectives, including identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. The role applies subject matter knowledge, leads multiple teams, and represents work across a diverse portfolio of community partners. This position is based in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities

• Leads efforts to design, evolve, and champion the WFMF mission, vision, values, and strategy of the organization.
• Engages with WFMF Board of Directors and WFM Executives to establish multi-year strategic plans, outline initiatives, and communicate updates.
• Responsible for establishing WFMF annual planning, budgets, functional policy, guidelines, and direction for the Foundation.
• Oversees WFMF operations and is accountable for team development, engagement, performance, and goals.
• Guides WFMF Team Members, providing direction, support, coaching, and mentorship to ensure high performance and collaboration.
• Operates the Foundation in compliance with all organizational by-laws, board policies, and local, state, and federal policies including satisfactory completion of annual third-party audits, annual tax returns, and quarterly and annual budget submissions.
• Administers financial affairs with applicable Board policies, budgets, and accounting controls to ensure the Foundation’s overall fiscal health.
• Creates long-term strategies that include fund allocation and programmatic strategy for international and domestic portfolios.
• Oversees the supervision of both desk and on-site research of potential projects while assuring ongoing provision of community services.
• Accountable for reporting tools to manage existing and potential projects and programs team.
• Partners with WFM senior leaders on Merchandising, Legal, Marketing, Communications, Finance, Operations, Team Member Services and other business partners, articulating WFMF strategy and ensuring that initiatives are supported and executed.
• Develops long-term fundraising strategies and oversees annual fundraising efforts; identifies and leverages new revenue streams to broaden and diversify funding sources.
• Develops and implements WFM internal collaborations to enthuse and engage WFM Team Members with initiatives that advance the mission of WFMF.
• Represents WFMF both internally and externally, communicating the mission and advocating to multiple audiences, ranging from company executives, community partners, in-store Team Members, media, government leaders, other nonprofit organizations, and the general public.
• Cultivates and responds to external partnership proposals in support of the Foundation’s mission and assesses new partner potential and viability.
• Oversees creation and delivery of education and awareness sessions to all levels of the organization, including small and large scale.
• Develops a depth of understanding for the work of the Foundation such that you can identify and realize value from synergies.
• Steward and evolve the team culture and values aligning with WFM leadership principles and the community at large where appropriate.
• Participate in the organization’s work in a hands-on fashion to build an understanding of the communities we serve.
• Utilizes critical thinking and data analysis for strategic and tactical decision making.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree and 8-10 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in leading and implementing work in the non-profit sector. Graduate degree preferred.
• 4-6 years of leadership experience.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic vision.
• Proven experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget for a nonprofit.
• Nuanced understanding of food access, health, financial inclusion, the non-profit sector, and socioeconomic cultural landscape.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into clear, tangible actions.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in various settings.
• Proven experience in active listening and understanding diverse perspectives.
• Proven troubleshooting skills with high attention to detail.
• Previous successful experience presenting in front of senior executives.
• Proven ability to prioritize work and balance a portfolio of tasks/workstreams.
• Excellent communicator with strong business acumen and influence.
• Proven record of program leadership and ability to mentor others.
• Resourceful self-starter, team player, creative thinker.
• Ability to analyze financial data and achieve goals and budgets.
• Non-English language skills including Spanish or French a plus.
• Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time, domestically and internationally.
• Highly flexible work hours to oversee global operations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Benefits

• Extensive experience in a mission-driven company.
• Opportunity to work with diverse and dynamic teams.
• Engagement in innovative and impactful community projects.
• Professional growth through strategic leadership roles.
• Collaboration with senior leaders and various departments within Whole Foods Market.