Executive Director, Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition

TSNE•Boston, MA

20d•$90,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC) seeks a community-rooted, relationship-driven Executive Director to lead the organization into its third decade of service. Founded by Mattapan residents in 2006, MFFC works to improve health and equity through food access, physical activity, youth development, advocacy, and community empowerment. Its programs are free and informed by community voice. MFFC has an annual operating budget of $1 million and is a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE, which provides accounting, human resources, and legal support. The Executive Director reports to MFFC’s Advisory Board and works closely with the Associate Director, staff, and board to lead organizational strategy, fundraising, partnerships, programs, and operations. The ED is the organization’s public face and helps ensure MFFC is represented in decisions affecting health, food, and transportation. Key priorities include building trust with residents and partners; diversifying fundraising and revenue; developing the Advisory Board; investing in staff; strengthening systems and impact measurement; leading strategic planning; advancing partnerships and advocacy; and rebuilding community convenings and membership. The position is full-time and exempt, based in Mattapan Square with the potential for a hybrid schedule. The ED is expected to be visible in the local community, including periodic evening and weekend commitments, and to travel periodically locally, statewide, and nationally. The salary range is $90,000–$105,000, commensurate with experience and within the organization’s budget. The position is eligible for a full benefits package, including paid time off.

Requirements

Significant leadership experience, typically five or more years, in a nonprofit, public health, or community-based organization, including staff supervision, budget management, and working with a board.
Knowledge of nonprofit governance and board development.
Strong organizational leadership and ability to set direction across programs, finance, people, and partnerships.
Strong written and verbal communication with varied audiences, including residents, youth, staff, board members, funders, elected officials, and nonprofit leaders; skills in storytelling, public speaking, and authentic listening.
Understanding of fundraising principles and ability to identify resources, tell an authentic story, and build relationships as an effective fundraiser.
Strategic financial judgment sufficient to make sustainable decisions, plan for growth, and explain the financial picture to the Advisory Board and staff.
Experience leading or contributing to strategic planning and translating vision into concrete, measurable goals with board and staff.
Experience building partnerships and coalitions beyond one’s organization, including with government, health systems, and community groups.
Deep commitment to health equity, food justice, and community-led change.
Relational, approachable, humble, curious, and willing to listen and learn before acting.
Ability to balance empathy and accountability, empower rather than micromanage, and maintain clear standards.
Ability to remain steady in a crisis, balance competing priorities, adapt, and respond to changing community needs.
Ability to build relationships with Boston-area funders, nonprofit leaders, government, and community organizations, or to develop those relationships quickly.
Genuine alignment with MFFC’s values and ability to bring energy and joy to the work.

Nice To Haves

Experience in food access, public health, youth development, or community organizing.
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Health, or equivalent work experience, is desired.
Lived or deep experience in communities like Mattapan, including predominantly Black, multigenerational communities with large Haitian and Caribbean immigrant populations; a genuine connection to Mattapan or a similar community is required in spirit, and shared lived experience and cultural connection are strongly desired.
Fluency in Haitian Creole or another language spoken in the community.

Responsibilities

Serve as MFFC’s public face and chief ambassador with residents, partners, funders, elected officials, and the broader public health community.
Keep community voice at the center of organizational and program decisions, and create opportunities for youth and residents to lead.
Lead fundraising with the Development and Communications Coordinator, grant writer, consultants, and Advisory Board; cultivate foundation, government, health-system, corporate, and individual donor relationships.
Manage the budget in partnership with TSNE’s finance team and communicate financial information clearly to support sustainable decisions.
Ensure the quality and impact of current programs while fostering innovation in response to community needs.
Directly supervise the Associate Director and Development Communications Coordinator.
Partner with the Associate Director on operations, office management, and internal systems, and work with TSNE on accounting, human resources, and legal matters.
Develop and support an intergenerational staff team through delegation, coaching, professional development, goal-setting, and accountability.
Foster a supportive, transparent workplace culture where staff are trusted and empowered; provide hands-on program assistance when needed and communicate steadily during crises or funding changes.
Work with the Advisory Board to plan meetings, agendas, and communications, while leading staff and day-to-day operations so the board can focus on governance and strategy.
Partner with the Advisory Board on recruitment, onboarding, development, committee structure, strategic planning, fundraising, partnerships, and community representation.
Build strong working relationships between board and staff through meetings, events, and shared planning.
Listen and build trust with staff, residents, partners, funders, and board members, including by working alongside the team at programs.
Develop and sustain current funding relationships, implement a fundraising roadmap, and grow unrestricted support, individual giving, partnerships, and a diversified revenue base.
Lead organizational visioning and strategic planning to set direction for the next five to ten years, including program, staffing, and capacity needs.
Cultivate relationships with community leaders, government agencies, elected officials, and coalitions to influence policy and bring resources to Mattapan.
Communicate MFFC’s impact and story using data and the voices of residents and youth; develop consistent impact measurement and documentation with the Associate Director.
Advance community convenings and help shape a sustainable membership model that deepens resident leadership.