Executive Director - Detroit Food Academy

Detroit Food Academy (DFA) has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to find its next Executive Director . At Detroit Food Academy, food is more than a meal—it’s a gateway to learning, leadership, health, and opportunity. Through edible education, mentorship, and industry immersion, we help young people cultivate essential life skills, grow confidence, and build college and career pathways within our food system and beyond. We see a Detroit where young people are powerful – leading, changing, and co-creating the future of our food system and beyond. DFA is a 501c3 nonprofit servicing Detroit youth ages 10-24 years old.

View the 23 / 24 Impact Report Here

About the role

Detroit Food Academy is seeking an Executive Director to steward our organizational vision, values, and strategic plan into the next chapter. The ideal candidate is a leader with a proven track record of growing mission-driven organizations and managing multiple sets of stakeholders, including staff, funders, and Board members. You are passionate about youth development, excited to coach and mentor your team, well-organized, skilled in project management, and committed to building sustainable, long-lasting relationships throughout the organization and in our community. You are personable, approachable, receptive to feedback, and eager to grow.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Lead DFA in collaboration with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors, ensuring alignment between governance, staff, and mission.
• Facilitate and advance DFA vision, values, and strategic plan, establishing systems that translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• Lead the development and implementation of DFA’s annual vision, budget, and strategic planning processes, with structures for accountability and progress monitoring.
• Design and oversee systems that support staff in visioning, planning, executing, and continuously improving high-quality, year-round programming.
• Develop and lead intentional team-building frameworks that strengthen trust, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain systems that foster collaboration and connection across DFA programs, partners, and staff.
• Cultivate a positive and engaging organizational culture through structured practices rooted in mutual respect, continuous improvement, and effective conflict resolution.
• Exercise and model outstanding leadership and communication, supported by systems for feedback, transparency, and organizational learning.
• Drive organizational excellence by implementing processes for evaluation, innovation, and ongoing improvement.
• Oversee and strengthen DFA’s systems of staff accountability, performance improvement, professional development, training, hiring, and human resources policies and procedures.
• Direct and improve systems for marketing and communication to ensure consistent, mission-driven messaging and engagement.
• Oversee organization-wide systems for data collection, analysis, and application to drive decision-making, impact measurement, and strategic growth.

Fund Development & Fiscal Leadership

External Relations & Strategic Partnerships

Salary

The salary band for this position is $100,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits & Perks

Work arrangements & Location

The position is hybrid with expectations of at least three days per week in our office at 4444 2nd Ave, Detroit MI 48201.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

DFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ability, weight, gender, sexual orientation or age. DFA gives full and fair consideration to applications from disabled persons and to provide appropriate training, development and promotion prospects to persons with disabilities. We strive to reflect the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.