Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT GLFB

The Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) is a nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger and ensure access to nutritious food in mid-Michigan, (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Shiawassee, Gratiot, Isabella or Clare counties) through partnerships, food distribution, and community programs. GLFB is a partner to the Feeding America nationwide network and is a member of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Operating for over 45 years, this organization has grown to over 40 employees and thousands of volunteers. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall management and operation of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, including the protection of the organization’s financial assets, compliance with board directives and fulfillment of applicable state, federal and Feeding America requirements. Reporting to, and guided by, the Board of Directors (BOD), the CEO’s primary focus will be to ensure that GLFB’s services and funding relationships are robust enough to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives.

The CEO position is a mission-driven executive role, combining:

• Strategic Vision – Developing, communicating, and successfully implementing GLFB’s future focus as it continues to innovate and optimize deployment of available resources to provide food to neighbors in need
• Operations – Building and overseeing a leadership team, an organizational structure, strong governance processes, an engaging culture, and robust, efficient, and effective reporting to the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders
• Fundraising – Establishing consistency, predictability, adaptability, and maximizing opportunities in GLFB’s revenue in an increasingly dynamic and fluid economic and political environment
• Communication – Cultivating and strengthening relationships of trust and confidence in the communities served by GLFB, the organization’s supporters, and those it partners with to advance its mission, as well as the objectives of other service-focused enterprises

The CEO works closely with the Board but is ultimately accountable for running the organization, leading the team, and delivering impact in the community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Set and execute the organization’s long-term direction
• Translate the mission into clear, measurable priorities and outcomes
• Lead strategic planning in partnership with the Board
• Ensure programs align with regional needs

Operations & Program Oversight

• Oversee all day-to-day operations, including food sourcing, logistics, and distribution
• Ensure programs are effective, efficient, and meeting community needs
• Maintain compliance with regulatory, safety, and food-handling standards
• Monitor performance and continuously improve operations

Financial Stewardship

• Lead budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation
• Ensure financial sustainability and strong internal controls
• Work with finance leadership and auditors on reporting and compliance
• Align spending with strategic priorities

Fundraising & Revenue Development

• Serve as the primary driver of fundraising strategy
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners
• Lead grant strategy and major campaigns
• Partner with Board members to expand donor reach

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors
• Provide regular reporting on performance (including performance on goals set by Feeding America, GLFB performance goals and strategies, and any governmental expectations or standards), risks, and strategy
• Support Board governance, planning, and recruitment
• Ensure alignment between Board priorities and operational execution
• Keep the Board informed, aligned, and effective in the performance of its function to provide strategic oversight and direction while staying mindful of the CEO’s responsibility for running the organization, leading the team, and delivering impact in the community

Community & External Leadership

• Act as the public face of GLFB
• Build partnerships with:
  • Government entities
  • Community organizations
  • Feeding America network partners
• Advocate on hunger, food security, and equity issues
• Strengthen GLFB’s visibility and reputation

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop the executive team and staff
• Build a high-performing, mission-driven culture
• Ensure effective organizational structure and talent management

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, with a Master’s degree in business or related field preferred, 10+ years of senior leadership experience; preferably in the non-profit sector. This high-level position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication/interpersonal skills. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to secure funding and implement innovative programs and services in collaboration with the GLFB staff, BOD, key stakeholders, community partners, donors and volunteers.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Greater Lansing Food Bank offers a dynamic, challenging work environment with ample opportunity for professional and personal fulfillment, competitive compensation, and a full benefit package, including fully covered individual medical, dental, and vision insurance, life & disability insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The candidate selected for this position will primarily work on-site at the GLFB main office in Bath, Michigan.  The work week is typically Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with some evening and weekends required for events, community engagement and work-related travel.

APPLICATION DETAILS

The GLFB Board has engaged with Caryn Bedford, HRM Services Executive Search Consultant, to lead the search process.  To express your interest in this position, please submit your cover letter with salary expectations and resume describing your passion for mission-driven work and how your qualifications have prepared you to excel in this role.  All applications must be submitted via Indeed and will receive full consideration if received by the deadline of July 3, 2026.

GLFB is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

How to Apply

The GLFB Board has engaged with Caryn Bedford, HRM Services Executive Search Consultant, to lead the search process.  To express your interest in this position, please submit your cover letter with salary expectations and resume describing your passion for mission-driven work and how your qualifications have prepared you to excel in this role.  All applications must be submitted via Indeed and will receive full consideration if received by the deadline of July 3, 2026.