Chief of Staff

You may view the full organization and position description here: Introduction for The Berry Center 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 Berry 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 organization advances its mission through four interconnected initiatives: 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 Farm & Forest Institute offers workshops, field days, short courses, and hands-on learning experiences to farmers, landowners, and community leaders, educating about agrarian thought and practice. The Archive of The Berry Center 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. The Agrarian Culture Center & Bookstore fosters cultural vitality in rural communities through literature, public programs, storytelling, and community gatherings. Today, The Berry Center has emerged as a nationally respected voice in conversations about agriculture, conservation, rural economic development, and cultural renewal. While firmly rooted in Kentucky, its influence extends far beyond its home community as farmers, scholars, policymakers, students, and visitors from across the country and around the world engage with its programs and learn from its example of place-based leadership. Through its work, The Berry Center continues to demonstrate that thriving rural communities and sustainable farming systems are not only possible—they are essential to a healthy and prosperous future. 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 driving the urgent work of building healthier agrarian economies. The Berry Center operates with discipline and clarity, guided by a visionary Founder and Executive Director, Mary Berry, a committed board, and a well-established team of experts. With longstanding philanthropic support from many prominent individual and institutional supporters of agricultural systems transformation, The Berry Center is ideally positioned for long-term sustainability, resilience, and increasing impact. 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 Chief of Staff will be a strategic people leader and talented communicator. The ideal candidate brings deep experience leading talented, multi-functional teams, with a focus on building a culture of accountability, balancing internal and external stakeholders, and assessing opportunities. As a member of the organization’s leadership team with primary responsibility for overseeing implementation of a recently adopted strategic plan, a high level of strategic thinking and professional discernment will be essential for success in the role. While The Berry Center has earned a national reputation and sphere of influence far beyond its service area, the organization’s work is deeply rooted in New Castle and the surrounding community. Residence in New Castle or Henry County is not a requirement for the role; however, an on-site presence and willingness to embed in the community is essential. The work of The Berry Center is multifaceted and complex, requiring a leader who can communicate strategically, eloquently, and abundantly about the opportunities and challenges facing the organization and the sector more broadly. This role will eventually require an understanding of agrarian economies and food systems transformation; existing knowledge is not a prerequisite but humility and eagerness to learn are essential. Key Position Functions The Chief of Staff serves as an internal leader and operational partner to the Executive Director, ensuring that The Berry Center's vision, people, and programs are aligned, supported, and moving forward effectively. The Chief of Staff will create the structure, communication, and accountability necessary for the organization to thrive while preserving its deeply collaborative and mission-driven culture. This is primarily an internal leadership role: the Chief of Staff will run day-to-day operations and directly manage staff, creating space for the Executive Director to serve as the organization’s visionary and primary spokesperson. Organizational Leadership & Staff Management Strategic Execution & Organizational Alignment Operations & Organizational Effectiveness Board & Governance Support Required Qualifications 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. Application Process Benefactor Group is pleased to be assisting The Berry Center with this executive search. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. All applications are considered highly confidential. To be considered for this position, please submit a resume at the link below. In the application, you will also be asked to provide a brief answer to a question describing your interest in the role. To apply, please visit: To learn more about The Berry Center, please visit: Please do not contact staff or board of The Berry Center with questions or interest in the role. All inquiries about the position should be directed to Benefactor Group. #J-18808-Ljbffr THE BERRY CENTER INC