SDAF Seeking CEO
The South Dakota Ag Foundation is looking for a CEO to lead the organization moving forward. We are looking for an individual who is well respected across the South Dakota agricultural community, with strong fundraising experience and communication skills
Questions should be directed to the SDAF board chair Nate Franzen at nfranzen@firstdakota.com.
SDAF Exec Job Posting
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JOB POSTING UPDATED NOVEMBER 2023
Opportunity to lead South Dakota agriculture’s trusted philanthropic partner: The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation, Inc. (SDAF)
The SDAF has a sharp focus and clear mission: Enriching Agriculture for generations to come. Founded in 2015 by a forward-thinking group of individuals and private companies, SDAF is a private, not-forprofit organization with a proven history of enriching South Dakota agriculture.
The SDAF has a growing endowment, providing resources to enrich agriculture. The organization’s vision is to be the South Dakota agriculture community’s trusted philanthropic partner.
The organization’s success since inception has the SDAF Board of Directors launching a regional search to recruit a CEO to oversee all aspects of the organization. The Board is seeking a proven leader with strong fundraising and philanthropic experience, strong connectivity across the South Dakota agriculture industry, and the ability to build relationships and partnerships with individual, corporate, foundational, governmental, and philanthropic donors in support of the SDAF Organization’s mission and vision.
The Position
The CEO will report to the SDAF Foundation Board of Directors and is responsible for planning and leading fundraising, building and managing staff and budgets, stewarding relationships with established funders and partners, and forging links to initiate new funders and partnerships that can contribute to the organization’s mission and mandate. The CEO will be the face of the organization.
Candidate Profile
Ideal experience:
• 5+ years of organizational leadership experience. Ideal candidate will have both non-profit and for-profit organizational experience.
• Proven fundraising skills, including a successful track record in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
• Affinity for South Dakota agriculture and its heritage, culture, and potential. Specific knowledge of South Dakota agriculture and its stakeholders and leaders is preferred.
• Proven financial management skills (required).
• Excellent communication skills.
• A strong, effective executive presence and leadership style that reflects confidence and integrity and inspires trust, respect, and engagement from stakeholders at all levels.
• A competitive executive compensation package will be offered, with an annual salary of $110,000, plus benefits, depending on qualifications.
For consideration as a candidate or to suggest a prospective candidate, please contact in confidence:
Chairman of the SDAF Board & CEO Search Committee
Nate Franzen
nfranzen@firstdakota.com
SDAF Executive Officer Job Description
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South Dakota Agricultural Foundation, Inc. (SDAF) is hired by and accountable to the Board of Directors of the SDAF through its Board Chair. As the most senior staff officer of SDAF, the CEO ensures the financial stability of the organization as its primary fundraiser, oversees the corporate requirements for a nonprofit organization, serves as the figurehead of the organization, and provides thought leadership in the development and delivery of Foundation goals and objectives in the State of South Dakota.
The Chief Executive Officer’s functional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
Governance, Organizational Development and Effectiveness:
• Proactively and effectively support the Board and its committees in achieving SDAF goals and objectives. Make recommendations to the Board on organizational matters as appropriate.
• Provide the Board with timely and pertinent information needed to ensure effective governance, including budgeting and financial reports, progress toward goals, state mandated reports, and audits and financial reviews.
• Inspire and maintain the support and confidence of SDAF’s stakeholders through consensus and coalition building efforts.
• Hire and effectively direct and support SDAF full- and part-time staff, contractors, and volunteers, as required.
• Facilitate professional development for board members and staff.
Finance and Fund Raising
• Identify, manage and implement fundraising and revenue strategies, goals and activities for operational, investment, bequest and endowed funds to sustain and build the SDAF.
• Steward relationships with established funders and partners; forge links to initiate new funders and partnerships that can contribute to the organization’s mission and mandate.
• In collaboration with the Board Treasurer, oversee financial, accounting, and banking matters.
• Identify granting agencies and write successful grant applications.
• Identify opportunities for new philanthropic partnership with agriculture in South Dakota.
• Negotiate and oversee the management of leases and other contractual arrangements that SDAF undertakes.
Public Relations, Marketing and Business Development:
• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic marketing and communications plan that builds the SDAF and its mission.
• Act as spokesperson for SDAF on all matters including the media and general public.
• Direct the ongoing maintenance of an electronic media mailing list, prepare and issue media releases, and respond to media inquiries.
• Represent SDAF and the Board of Directors at functions within SDAF’s stakeholder domain to establish brand recognition and value.
• Maintain and enhance SDAF stakeholder relations, including grant recipients, donors, sponsors, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
Qualifications:
• 5+ years of organizational leadership experience. Ideal candidate will have both non-profit and for-profit organizational experience. Must be able to foster a strong working relationship with the board of directors.
• Proven fundraising skills, including a successful track record in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
• Affinity for South Dakota agriculture and its heritage, culture, and potential. Specific knowledge of South Dakota agriculture and its stakeholders and leaders is preferred.
• High proficiency in leading, coaching, and retaining skilled, experienced, and committed staff and volunteers.
• Proven financial management skills (required).
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills. Executive level communication skills.
• A strong, effective executive presence and leadership style that reflects confidence and integrity and inspires trust, respect, and engagement from stakeholders at all levels.
• An innovative and entrepreneurial self-starter who can lead an organization to meet strong growth goals.
• Post-secondary education, ideally in business, agri-business, agriculture production or non-profit management preferred.