Executive Director

Cooperative Development Institute is a regional 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994 by co-op leaders in the Northeast. CDI’s mission is to create and sustain democratically owned cooperative enterprises and networks in the Northeast that grow a prosperous, equitable economy. We envision a world where every person can fulfill their needs and aspirations. CDI is an inclusive, collaborative and resilient organization. CDI holds the following values as important within our organization and in our work with communities: teamwork, integrity, wellbeing, and justice.

Working remotely and reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership for CDI and is responsible for the overall management of staff and operations. The Executive Director is responsible for building connections, maintaining and establishing relationships with donors and partners, and representing the interests of CDI and its clients.

• Strategic vision
  • Engages the staff and Board to develop a clear vision for the organization.
  • Works with staff and Board to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan.
  • Supports staff to research, evaluate, and pursue programmatic opportunities that support strategic goals and organizational mission.
  • Provides coordination and oversight of programmatic activities and strategic goals.
  • Identifies, tracks and shares key measures of success with staff, board, funders, and partners.
  • Leads organizational work to set and achieve measurable and meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
• Resource development
  • Works with Resource Development staff and Board Resource Development Committee to develop and implement CDI’s resource development plan.
  • Leads and coordinates initiatives that expand diversification of funding in program areas and CDI overall.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with private donors and foundations.
  • Contributes to the development of federal and foundation grant proposals and assists with writing and submitting grant reports as needed.
• Staff management and operations
  • Supervises and supports direct reports, including Program Directors, and Directors of Finance, Resource Development, Communications and People and Culture.
  • Works with the Finance Director and Leadership Team to develop, oversee, monitor, and revise CDI’s annual budget.
  • Demonstrates a participatory management style that facilitates input from staff, successfully integrates this input into decisions and actions, and builds consensus to facilitate through disagreements.
  • Fosters a strong Leadership Team that works together to carry out the goals of the organization.
  • Ensures that staff have the capacity, skills, information, and resources necessary to effectively run the organization’s operations and programming.
  • Ensures the organization has sound financial practices and is in compliance with grant, tax, and other requirements.
  • Fulfills administrative tasks and otherwise attends to day‑to‑day tasks as needed within the Executive Director role.
• External relations
  • Builds strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
  • Positions CDI as a thought leader in the field.
  • Works with Communications Director, Resource Development Director, and Program Directors to publicize activities, programs and goals of the organization to elevate CDI’s profile with funders, donors, and partners.
  • Raises awareness about the value of cooperatives and advocates for policies that benefit cooperatives.
  • Supports state and federal advocacy initiatives that create and improve a favorable environment for growth and expansion of the cooperative ecosystem.
• Governance
  • Serves as the formal link between the Board, including staff‑elected Board directors, and staff.
  • Provides regular updates and ensures that the Board has access to appropriate metrics to understand, evaluate, and advise on programmatic, staffing, and financial issues.
  • Ensures the Board and staff have the context and data to make informed financial decisions.
  • Facilitates Leadership Team and all‑staff meetings, and works with staff to evaluate, refine, and implement staff‑led participatory management processes and procedures.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience and demonstrated success in an executive leadership role in the fields of economic, small business, community and/or cooperative development.
• Nonprofit management experience, including supervising individuals and managing teams, budgeting and financial management, fundraising and development, working with a Board of Directors.
• Knowledge and experience in innovative models of economic and community development.
• Willingness to facilitate a participatory management system, including constructively receiving input, to produce organizational decisions supported by and supportive of staff.
• A commitment to and track record of bringing an inclusive and equitable approach to work.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically throughout the Northeast.
• Competency with GSuite, Zoom, and conducting remote meetings.

• Project management skills.
• Experience working in a dispersed, remote workplace with diverse programs.
• Experience with advocacy, public relations, and/or donor cultivation.
• Strong communications skills.

• Able to work well independently and remotely.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read information, and/or use a keyboard.

The salary is $110,000‑120,000 depending on experience and qualifications. CDI offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and life insurance; paid vacation; paid sick leave and ample paid holidays, and an employer retirement contribution. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.