Executive Director

About Us

Harlem Grown is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. We operate local urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provide farm-based development programs to Harlem youth.

Founded in 2011 by Tony Hillery with one school partnership, one urban farm and an idea to help Harlem children, today Harlem Grown’s farms and greenhouses are used as classrooms and as venues to cultivate a connection to the environment and food among young people. Harlem Grown operates 14 urban agricultural sites featuring soil-based urban farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and a mushroom chamber.  All of our sites are located between 122^nd and 152^nd Streets in Central Harlem, Manhattan. 

Our Programs

Harlem Grown cultivates deep community roots by growing fresh food, strong youth, and lasting relationships. We meet children where they live, learn, and grow—offering opportunities that extend beyond our farms to the classroom and into their futures. Through Food and Farm Education, we help youth build healthy habits, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to their community. Our urban farms provide free produce and nutritious meals for families while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. Through 14 urban farms and year-round programming, we provide free produce, nutritious meals, and cooking lessons while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. In addition, our programs increase economic opportunity for families and develop leadership and advocacy skills so participants can drive transformational change in their communities.

At Harlem Grown, we grow healthy children and communities through hands-on education, access to resources, and long-term youth support. Our Food and Farm Education —including summer camp, in-school and after-school programs, mobile education, service learning, and farm tours—delivers farm-based lessons to children in our community. We offer free community resources like farmstands, Saturdays on the farm, and events that provide fresh food and create spaces for support and connection. Through academic support, internships, and career readiness programs, we help our young people build confidence and skills to thrive from elementary school through adulthood.

Position Overview

Harlem Grown operates under a dual leadership model designed to balance visionary leadership with strong operational execution. The Executive Director partners closely with the Founder & CEO, with both leaders reporting directly to the Board of Directors. The Founder & CEO serves as the primary steward of Harlem Grown’s mission and brand, acting as the public face of the organization and maintaining high-level funder, partnerships, and external relationships. The Executive Director is the operational leader of the organization, responsible for day-to-day operations, people management, and organizational performance, with all staff reporting to the ED. This role is well-suited for a collaborative, results-driven leader who excels at building systems, leading teams, and translating strategic vision into consistent, high-impact execution. 

Responsibilities

Organizational Management (35%)

• Motivate and maintain a cohesive staff, ensuring strong internal communication and collaboration. Foster a supportive team-oriented environment where both independent and innovative thinking and collaboration are encouraged.
• Directly supervise executive leadership team (COO, COS, CPO). Provide ongoing support, feedback and professional development opportunities for direct reports, acting as a valued thought partner and mentor.
• In consultation with the CEO and the Board of Directors, and in partnership with senior leaders, own and develop annual organizational goals and execute plans that advance the mission and vision of the organization. Develop mechanisms to track progress to goals, solve problems that arise, and adjust plans as needed.
• In partnership with senior leaders, develop and execute response plans to internal and external crises.
• Champion, value and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the organization to foster a culture of belonging.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the organization, including staffing and programs.

Fundraising (30%)

In partnership with the Founder & CEO and Senior Director of Advancement, the Executive Director is accountable for stabilizing and sustaining a ~$5.5M annual operating budget with strong predictability, while progressively diversifying and de-risking revenue over time. The Executive Director serves as Harlem Grown’s chief closer, providing strategic leadership, oversight, and hands-on execution across all revenue streams.

• Own overall fundraising performance and accountability, ensuring annual and multi-year revenue goals are met across individuals, foundations, corporate, government, and event-based funding.
• Personally lead the solicitation and closing of six- and seven-figure gifts, working closely with the Senior Director of Advancement to develop strategy, materials, and cultivation plans.
• Serve as a key relationship manager for Harlem Grown’s most significant foundation and corporate partners, and step in directly when critical donor relationships require executive leadership or course correction.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Advancement to oversee the advancement team, ensuring strong systems, clear goals, and consistent progress toward fundraising targets.
• In close collaboration with the Board Chair, set clear fundraising expectations for board members and leverage board networks to support donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Ensure board fundraising efforts are aligned with organizational needs, and that board members are effectively engaged in advancing Harlem Grown’s revenue goals.
• Support revenue diversification strategies that strengthen individual and board giving, reduce funding concentration risk, and increase long-term financial resilience.

Finance & Operations (10%)

• In partnership with the COO, develop the annual budget for approval by the Board of Directors.
• In partnership with the COO and the Board of Directors, oversee budget management and financial operations, ensuring controls are in place to safeguard tracking and management of company finances, and compliance with various non-profit, financial and contractual responsibilities.
• In partnership with the COO, ensure healthy and functional organizational operations, including compliance, technology, facilities, and general administration.
• In partnership with the COS, oversee all people and culture systems.

External Affairs (15%)

• In partnership with the CEO, support the identification and development of strategic partnerships that advance the mission of the organization.
• In partnership with the CEO, engage in media and public affairs activities. 

Board Management (5%)

• In partnership with the CEO, lead collaboratively with the Board of Directors to implement a model of strategic and generative governance.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors about organizational progress and needs.
• Oversee the administrative and operational requirements for Board management, including compliance with city, state, and federal policies.
• Develop mechanisms to leverage Board of Directors skills and networks in support of the organization.
• Support the board chair in recruiting and onboarding new board of directors that align with the vision and fiscal goals of the organization.

Program Development (5%)

• In partnership with the CPO, oversee the strategic vision for all programming year round.
• In partnership with the CPO, oversee rigorous program evaluations, to measure successes and effectively communicate to the Board, funders, and constituents; and enhance services and offerings within the strategic plan.
• In partnership with the CPO, develop a long-term program strategy for the next five years.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years’ experience at minimum; advanced degree or equivalent years’ experience preferred
• A passion for the mission of Harlem Grown, demonstrated through experience in youth development, nutrition, urban farming and/or environmentalism
• Substantial leadership experience (10 years) managing non-profit or for-profit organizations, including an understanding of the relationship between Founder, Executive Director, and Board
• Strong history of raising a budget of 5-7M and knowledge of the NYC fundraising landscape
• Knowledge and experience in programmatic implementation in the K-12 education sector, particularly in major markets
• Demonstrated ability to drive growth; direct experience in developing and implementing grass-roots growth plans with tangible results in a fast-changing, entrepreneurial environment
• Understanding of and experience with non-profit legal, budgeting, and accounting best practices
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Comfort with structuring and negotiating contracts and agreements

At Harlem Grown, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. We are an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, where each individual feels as if their identity, experience, and values are represented and supported. We are dedicated to creating a space where children, especially those of color, are given the opportunity and skills to lead healthy and ambitious lives. We strongly believe in building a team that reflects and appreciates the underrepresented population of students, families, and people that we serve. Become a member of our family.