Executive Director

Job Title: Executive Director

Annual Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000

FLSA Classification/ Position Status: *Exempt / Full-Time / At-Will

• Exempt: An individual is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because he or she is classified as an executive, professional, administrative, or outside sales employee and meets the specific criteria for the exemption.

Organization Overview

The Waco Downtown Farmers Market was established in 2011 as a year-round Saturday market in the heart of downtown Waco. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The mission of Waco Downtown Farmers Market is to operate welcoming and diverse markets that support local farmers and small businesses, increase access to healthy, affordable food, and enrich the Waco community through education and wellness activities.

Summary/Objective: The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (WDFM). The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the mission of the organization while ensuring financial sustainability, expanding community impact, increasing market attendance, and strengthening vendor recruitment and retention strategies.

This position requires a growth-oriented and entrepreneurial leader who can successfully cultivate sponsorships, secure grants, build community partnerships, and develop innovative programming that enhances the market experience.

The Executive Director leads strategic initiatives related to fundraising, partnership development, vendor recruitment and retention, organizational growth, marketing, and event operations, while overseeing event activities along with staff.

A critical component of this role is maintaining a consistent and visible presence at the Farmers Market to engage vendors, customers, sponsors, and community stakeholders while ensuring operational excellence and a vibrant market experience.

Required Education, Licenses, Certifications, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, event management, economic development, or related field
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, and revenue generation
• Valid Texas Drivers’ License
• Valid Personal Auto Liability Insurance

Work authorization/security clearance required

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong strategic leadership and organizational development skills with the ability to implement long-term planning initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, sponsorship development, and creating sustainable revenue streams.
• Strong financial literacy, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and responsible fiscal management.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data to drive strategic decisions and report measurable outcomes to the Board of Directors.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to effectively represent the organization in the community.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with vendors, sponsors, donors, community partners, and local stakeholders.
• Experience managing community-based programs, nonprofit initiatives, public events, or market-style programming.
• Strong marketing, branding, and audience development capabilities to support growth in attendance and community engagement.
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, contractors, or part-time coordinators while fostering a collaborative and accountable team environment.
• Ability to develop performance metrics, evaluate program outcomes, and implement continuous improvement strategies.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience with vendor relations, vendor recruitment and retention strategies, small business support initiatives, or local agriculture programs preferred.
• Grant writing, grant management, or nonprofit development experience preferred.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and preparing organizational performance reports.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including Saturdays and occasional evenings to support market operations and special events.
• Ability to work effectively in both office and outdoor environments and thrive in dynamic, community-focused settings.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides visionary and strategic leadership to advance the mission, long-term sustainability, and community impact of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (WDFM).
• Develops and implements strategic plans aligned with Board-approved goals and organizational priorities to support growth, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability.
• Leads organizational development and revenue generation efforts by creating, enhancing, and diversifying revenue streams, including sponsorships, vendor participation, grants, partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and special events.
• Implements measurable strategies designed to increase annual organizational revenue, with performance incentives tied to revenue growth benchmarks beginning in the 3–5% range above the prior fiscal year baseline, subject to Board-approved objectives.
• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with corporate sponsors, donors, vendors, local businesses, community organizations, and institutional partners to expand funding opportunities and strengthen community partnerships.
• Develops and implements strategies to increase vendor recruitment and retention while maintaining a positive and supportive vendor experience.
• Designs and implements innovative programming, educational activities, entertainment, and special events that enhance the market experience and increase attendance and community engagement.
• Develops and oversees marketing, outreach, and branding initiatives that strengthen the WDFM brand, increase public visibility, and support year-over-year growth in attendance and participation.
• Serves as the public-facing ambassador of the organization by maintaining a consistent presence at weekly Saturday markets and actively engaging vendors, customers, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
• Oversees market operations by coordinating staff and/or operational leadership (such as a Market Manager or part-time coordinators) responsible for vendor management, event logistics, and market operations.
• Prepares and manages the annual operating budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors and ensures responsible fiscal stewardship of organizational resources.
• Monitors financial performance and operational effectiveness to ensure the organization maintains financial stability and meets strategic objectives.
• Provides regular financial, operational, and strategic reports to the Board of Directors regarding revenue growth, vendor participation and retention, attendance trends, sponsorship development, and overall organizational performance.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators to evaluate organizational success, including revenue growth, vendor retention, attendance growth, sponsorship development, and operational stability.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.
• Other Duties as Assigned:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice, and the team member may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position requiring a flexible schedule based on operational needs.

• The Executive Director is expected to work the equivalent of five (5) full workdays per week
• Four (4) workdays will be scheduled Monday through Friday, as determined by operational priorities
• Saturdays are a required workday
• The Executive Director must be present at all scheduled Farmers Market events
• Additional weekday evenings may be required for special events, board meetings, sponsorship engagements, or community programming
• As an exempt position, this role requires flexibility in scheduling to fulfill leadership responsibilities and organizational objectives

Performance-Based Incentive EligibilityThe Executive Director is eligible for a performance-based bonus tied to the achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs will be developed in partnership with the Board of Directors and aligned with Board-approved strategic objectives. Performance incentives may include, but are not limited to the evaluation of the following metrics:

• Revenue growth above the prior fiscal year baseline
• Vendor recruitment and retention
• Market attendance and community engagement growth
• Sponsorship and partnership development
• Successful implementation of strategic initiatives approved by the Board

Bonus eligibility is subject to

• The organization maintaining a net positive operating position
• Achievement of Board-approved performance benchmarks
• Satisfactory annual performance evaluation
• Final approval by the Board of Directors following fiscal year close

Physical and Mental Requirements and Abilities

The role of an Executive Director often requires the ability to work effectively in a moderate to fast-paced environment. This environment typically involves frequent activities, interactions, and tasks that must be completed within specified timeframes. Additionally, interruptions and unexpected events may occur, which can require flexibility and adaptability while maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the Executive Director to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. The employee frequently sits and/or stands. The employee may occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift, and/or move up to 35 pounds. The employee will constantly use their fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, and any necessary upper extremities to do so. Employees may occasionally have to twist, pull, or stretch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust the focus with or without using prescribed or over-the-counter optical glasses, contact lenses, or other visual aids. The Executive Director may be exposed to various (fair to extreme) weather conditions.

Equal Opportunity, Respect, and Anti-Harassment CommitmentThe Waco Downtown Farmers Market values all individuals and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment, including hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and participation in organizational programs, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

The organization is equally committed to maintaining a professional work environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Harassment or discrimination of any kind is strictly prohibited. Waco Downtown Farmers Market will not tolerate conduct that demeans, intimidates, or discriminates against any employee based on protected characteristics, including sex, race, color, national origin, age, or physical or mental disability.

All employees share responsibility for upholding these standards and contributing to a workplace culture grounded in respect, fairness, and inclusion.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person