Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff Founded in 2011 by Mary Berry, The Berry Center is a nonprofit organization based in New Castle, Kentucky, dedicated to putting the writings and ideas of renowned author, farmer, and cultural critic Wendell Berry into action. Guided by the belief that healthy farms, healthy land, and healthy communities are fundamentally interconnected, the Center works to advance a vision of prosperous small‑ and mid‑sized farms, vibrant rural communities, and healthy regional economies by developing practical, place‑based solutions that strengthen the cultural, economic, and ecological foundations of rural life. The Center is located in downtown New Castle's historic Oldham House and serves as both a steward of the Berry family's agricultural and cultural legacy and an active laboratory for addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing rural America. Through education, cooperative enterprise, archival preservation, and community engagement, the organization seeks to answer a central question that has guided its work since inception: “What will it take for farmers to be able to farm well and how do we become a culture that will support good land use in this country?” Our Home Place Meat Launched in 2017, Our Home Place Meat is a farmer‑owned cooperative designed to strengthen local food economies and create viable markets for small‑ and mid‑sized livestock producers. The initiative helps farmers capture greater value for their products while promoting environmentally responsible livestock production. By connecting regional producers to local markets and reviving cooperative economic models that once sustained Kentucky agriculture, the initiative demonstrates how rural communities can build resilient, place‑based food systems. The Farm & Forest Institute Established in 2012, the Institute provides farmers, landowners, and community leaders with education in agrarian thought and practice. Through workshops, field days, short courses, and hands‑on learning experiences, participants explore topics such as livestock production on grass, low‑impact forestry, cooperative economics, rural leadership, and land stewardship. Grounded in the writings of Wendell Berry and other agrarian thinkers, the Institute equips current and future generations of farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to sustain productive farms and thriving rural communities. The Archive of The Berry Center The Archive preserves and makes accessible the papers, correspondence, writings, and public records of John M. Berry Sr., and his sons Wendell Berry and John M. Berry Jr., alongside a growing collection of materials focused on agriculture, conservation, and rural culture. Complementing the archive, the Tanya Amyx Berry Agrarian Library provides resources for scholars, students, farmers, and community members interested in the agrarian tradition. The Agrarian Culture Center & Bookstore The Center fosters cultural vitality in rural communities through literature, public programs, storytelling, and community gatherings. Located in a historic cabin in downtown New Castle, the bookstore welcomes visitors from across the country while serving as a gathering place for local residents. The Center’s signature Agrarian Literary League has distributed thousands of books and facilitated dozens of community reading groups, helping preserve local history, strengthen connections to place, and celebrate the rich cultural traditions that sustain local communities. Additional programming includes author events, festivals, and Kentucky Arts and Letters Day. The Opportunity The Berry Center seeks a seasoned and strategic nonprofit professional to lead and support a long‑tenured, high‑performing team with an unflagging commitment to building equitable and ecological farming futures. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organization that is recognized as a national thought leader in building healthier agrarian economies. The Chief of Staff will play an essential role in building on this moment, supporting the Executive Director and establishing the internal systems and processes necessary to operate efficiently and effectively. The role requires strategic thinking, professional discernment, a talent for leading multi‑functional teams, and a commitment to building a culture of accountability. Key Position Functions Organizational Leadership & Staff Management Serve as the primary manager and leader of a seven‑person Director team, providing supervision, support, accountability, and performance management across the organization. Lead staff hiring, onboarding, and evaluation processes. Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and shared purpose while preserving the organization’s deeply relational and mission‑driven environment. Establish clear goals, priorities, timelines, and expectations for staff and program leaders, ensuring organizational commitments are executed effectively. Lead regular staff meetings and create systems that improve communication, coordination, and information sharing across programs. Support professional growth and development of staff through ongoing support, mentorship, and feedback to maintain a positive staff culture and exceptional staff retention standard. Strategic Execution & Organizational Alignment Partner closely with the Executive Director to translate organizational vision, strategic priorities, and board objectives into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. Monitor progress on strategic initiatives and organizational priorities, identifying challenges and opportunities, and ensuring appropriate follow‑through. Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director, helping evaluate competing priorities and focus leadership attention on the highest‑impact opportunities. Facilitate cross‑functional planning and collaboration among program areas to ensure alignment and maximize organizational effectiveness. Executive Support & Leadership Partnership Act as the Executive Director’s key operational partner, managing priorities, tracking commitments, and ensuring critical projects and follow‑up actions move forward. Prepare briefings, updates, and decision‑support materials that enable the Executive Director to focus on vision, thought leadership, fundraising, and external relationships. Coordinate organizational leadership activities and serve as a liaison between the Executive Director and staff. Help identify responsibilities and decisions that can be delegated from the Executive Director to strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability. Operations & Organizational Effectiveness Oversee day‑to‑day organizational operations and administrative functions, ensuring systems, processes, and workflows support staff success and organizational growth. Develop and implement practical systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and project management across the organization. In partnership with the CFO, support staff in monitoring budgets, organizational planning, and resource allocation, allowing the Executive Director to remain focused on strategic leadership. Lead continuous improvement efforts toward building a more resilient, durable organization. Board & Governance Support Support the Executive Director and Board of Directors in advancing governance priorities and organizational goals. Help ensure strong alignment and communication between staff leadership and the board. Support board development efforts, committee work, and governance processes as assigned. Fundraising & Institutional Support Support the Executive Director’s fundraising work through project management, preparation, and coordination of donor‑related activities. Collaborate with staff leaders to align organizational priorities, funding opportunities, and strategic initiatives. Contribute to a culture of philanthropy and organizational sustainability across the organization. Competencies and Attributes for Success in the Position Builds relationships and trust Collaborates effectively Communicates with clarity Exercises sound judgment Drives accountability and results Adapts and learns quicklyPlans, prioritizes, and executes Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree. Proven progressive professional experience leading cross‑functional teams. Experience working with nonprofit governing boards and executive leadership to advance strategic initiatives. Demonstrated success leading organizational change, strategic planning, and other enterprise‑wide initiatives. Personal values that align with The Berry Center’s core values. Willingness to embed in the New Castle community. Desired Qualifications Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, public policy, or related field. Existing familiarity with the Berry Center’s work and approach. Experience working with cultural‑change organizations. Compensation Minimum target base compensation for this role is $95,000. #J-18808-Ljbffr