Executive Director

Organizational Background: 

Electric Hospitality CEO Michael Lennox founded #ATLFamilyMeal (AFM) at the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 upon recognition that the vast majority of the more than 300,000 hospitality workers in the metro-Atlanta area were on the verge of mass layoffs and furloughs. During the pandemic, AFM prepared and delivered more than 250,000 meals to families in need. The community rallied around the effort and we know our work is just beginning. Even before the pandemic, 90% of restaurant workers were living paycheck to paycheck.

This moment: 

Coming out of the pandemic, we created a strategic plan to understand the greatest needs of the sector. Through this process, we realized the need to focus on connecting people, businesses, local agencies, and resources to elevate the Atlanta restaurant community. We are particularly interested in affordable housing, access to health care, and creating more opportunities for restaurant workers to thrive. We know this will take collaboration with other industries, bringing restaurant owners to the table, and learning from other cities. We have an eager and engaged Board of Directors, a path forward, and what we need is a leader to get us there. 

Executive Director role:

#ATLFamilyMeal started with great need because of the pandemic, and now we’re pivoting focus on the sustainability of our industry and success of its workers. While day-to-day operations are important, coalition building and bringing the community together will be of the first order of business. The Executive Director (ED) reports to the Board of Directors and is chiefly responsible for upholding the mission, increasing awareness with the community, and meeting financial objectives. The ED will have the opportunity to build out a team, as appropriate. We are particularly interested in candidates with a passion for the restaurant industry and its people. We need candidates who are skilled communicators that can bridge the gap between hospitality employers and workers. 

The Executive Director has a broad range of leadership, management and oversight responsibilities, including but not limited to: 

• Establishing, managing, and stewarding strategic relationships with donors, sponsors, partner organizations, individuals, government agencies, elected officials, restaurants, restaurant workers, and other stakeholders. Building coalitions between these groups for the betterment of the sector will be top priority.
• Serving as an external face of the organization with the ability to tell #ATLFamilyMeal’s story, and ensuring all activities and programs are properly publicized.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the hospitality sector.
• Managing a culturally diverse workplace, clientele and community whose skills, cultures and spoken languages reflect the communities #ATLFamilyMeal serves.
• Ensuring that the organization has a long-range strategy and consistently works towards progress on that strategy.
• Working with the Board in preparing the annual budget and ensuring the organization operates within budget guidelines. Maintaining official records and documents and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Developing effective systems to track progress and regularly evaluate program components to measure outcomes that can be effectively communicated to the Board, funders, and other constituents.
• Developing an annual plan for fundraising from diverse funding sources, including earned revenue.
• Leveraging the board’s expertise and ensuring the board has the skills, tools, and resources needed to help the organization succeed.
• Other duties as assigned and/or as required with the evolution of the organization.

   

Skills/Experiences/Training

Required

• Ability to manage all responsibilities as listed above.
• Entrepreneurial mindset required.
• Must be an excellent communicator, verbally and in writing.
• Experience with digital marketing and communications, specifically to build coalitions and bring groups together. 
• Passion for the restaurant industry required, experience in the restaurant industry preferred.

Desired

• Experience planning and executing events.
• A strong connection to Atlanta and its restaurant industry.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Financial expertise and acumen.
• Experience raising funds or in sales.
• Experience serving on a board of directors for a nonprofit, or working with one.
• Familiarity with Spanish and a willingness to bridge communication gaps.
• Experience managing a jobs board.