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Description
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
FUNCTION
Inspire. Inform. Lead.
The Senior Country Director – Heifer USA is a mission-driven, visionary, action-oriented and movement builder leader responsible for advancing the center of learning and action on regenerative agriculture across of United States. The incumbent will work alongside farmers, and farmer organizations, build programs that challenge the status quo, and advance alternative approaches to food and agriculture rooted in equity, ecology, and economic resilience.
The Senior Country Director will lead the development of a living learning ecosystem, anchored at Heifer Ranch and extending nationally and supporting global efforts, where regenerative practices are tested, shared, and scaled. This includes producing farmer-accessible tools, facilitating cross-sector partnerships, and convening voices around themes such as food systems transformation, climate-smart farming, value chains, and impact-driven investment.
As the strategic and operational lead for Heifer USA, this role is charged with inspiring high-performing team, mobilizing cross-sector partnerships, and amplifying the impact of regenerative agriculture to transform food systems.
The Heifer USA team believes in holistic farming practices that benefit the planet, consumers, and farmers. This position serves as a national ambassador for regeneration, guiding strategic learning, innovation, and scaling efforts through blended financing, digital education, and local-to-global engagement. The senior country director will design HEIFER USA strategy, program design, proposal development, fundraising, change management, systems thinking in in collaboration with HUSA leadership and Americas regional team, The Senior Country Director represents Heifer International’s values and amplifying its reach by motivating teams, informing audiences, and fostering systemic transformation. The position guides a shared leadership team with representation across programs and operations. This position is part of the Americas Region with five other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are looking for a Senior Director who embodies inclusive leadership spearhead both operational and long-term strategy for Heifer U.S.A.
This role is a remote position that will require frequent travel to Heifer Ranch located in Perryville, AR. Candidates located in the southeast U.S. highly preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES
Strategic Program Leadership (30%)
- Drive strategic visioning and implementation under Heifer’s mission, and goals, and in alignment with Americas regional priorities.
- Cultivate and lead multi stakeholder coalitions including farmers, nonprofits, universities, funders and values-aligned businesses.
- Facilitate collaboration by building shared visions, goals and plans that align with Heifer’s mission and results framework, and the broader objectives of creating a more just and regenerative food system.
- Oversee program and project planning, execution, and evaluation, emphasizing the achievement of collective goals and community-driven impacts.
- Lead Heifer USA’s program strategy in co-designing initiatives that harness market demand and technological advancements to benefit farmers and food system workers.
- Ensure cross-team alignment on strategic objectives and organizational goals. Contribute to the integration and collaboration of Heifer USA’s voice across strategic projects.
- Lead the design of strategy and continuous learnings to guide Heifer’s Center for Learning and Action in Regenerative Agriculture.
- Lead the development of programs advancing alternative approaches to food and agriculture rooted in equity, ecology, and economic resilience.
Operational Leadership (25%)
- Ensure operational excellence, adaptive learning, and quality delivery across all signature programs.
- Develop strategic and operational plans, in coordination with Heifer USA Leadership.
- Oversee program quality and impact, creating inclusive & just food systems.
- Manage budgets for maintenance and capital expenditures for Heifer U.S.A
- Ensure cost-effective delivery of contracted services with local parties
- Guide resource allocation, team performance, and governance within a dynamic program environment.
- Foster an environment of trust and inclusivity internally and externally, enabling open communication, idea-sharing, collaboration and mutual accountability.
- Oversee financial and administrative operations in coordination with global policies.
- Partner with various departments and service areas to support efforts
Business Development and Strategy (20%)
- Secure diverse funding and strategic partnerships, including philanthropic, corporate, and impact investment streams working as “the broker” for Heifer U.S.A
- Develop strong and sustainable partnerships based on shared vision and values for the future of farming.
- Manage budgets for maintenance and capital expenditures for Heifer U.S.A, ensuring cost-effective delivery of contracted services with local parties
- Develop resource mobilization strategies in coordination with Heifer U.S.A leadership and Heifer International’s philanthropic partners.
- Develop strong and sustainable partnerships based on shared vision and values for the future of farming.
- Support identification of opportunities for impact investment with farmers, educational institutions, vendors, and partners.
Brand Leadership and Global Representation (15%)
- Increase Heifer USA’s visibility and thought leadership through storytelling, digital engagement, and coalition-building.
- Serve as a Heifer ambassador of regenerative agriculture and Heifer’s mission.
- Shape Heifer’s national advocacy strategy for regenerative systems and farmer justice, in collaboration with global leadership.
- Lead or support policy dialogues, alliances, and initiatives with impact potential for farmers, vendors, and agricultural alliances.
- Represent Heifer USA in international forums, coalitions, and learning networks.
- Foster an environment of trust and inclusivity internally and externally, enabling open communication, idea-sharing, collaboration and mutual accountability.
- Develop strong and sustainable partnerships based on shared vision and values.
- Advocate for the interests of coalitions and farmer groups in relation to sustainable agriculture
- May perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agroecology, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Non-profit management, public administration or related field.
- A minimum of ten years of progressive leadership, preferably within regenerative agriculture, sustainable development, or ecosystem innovation. A minimum of 7 years in a leadership role overseeing a department or team.
- Experience leading vision-driven programs and long-term strategic initiatives
- Demonstrated success in strategy development and execution, team leadership, and change management.
- Experience securing significant funding from institutional donors (bilateral, multilateral, private funders) and corporate partnerships for funding and influence.
- Track record in blended resource mobilization—grants, private capital, and corporate partnerships.
- Experience scaling programs from regional to global settings, maintaining mission fidelity and contextual relevance.
- Proven track record of securing significant funding from institutional donors (bilateral, multilateral, private funders) and corporate partnerships for funding and influence.
- Experience leading and managing large-scale community economic development projects.
Preferred Requirements:
- Master’s degree in systems innovation, public policy, sustainable development, or nonprofit leadership.
- Experience developing U.S.-based farmer advocacy strategies for regenerative systems, farmer justice, community, sustainability, or economic development.
- Experience working in both domestic and international contexts with diverse stakeholder environments.
- Advanced knowledge of digital learning platforms, advocacy networks, and movement-building strategies.
- Professional proficiency in Spanish or other languages highly preferred
Most Critical Proficiencies:
- Visionary leadership, translating bold ideas into operational systems.
- Champion for education, continued learning, and professional development.
- Strategic Communicator, inspires action and collaboration across teams.
- Fosters iterative design, reflection, and adaptability to pivot on objectives
- Proven knowledge of business development strategies within the farmer or agricultural space
- Inspire and motivate others to take action.
- Align resources to accomplish key objectives and assign clear accountability for important objectives. Achieves meaningful accomplishments.
- Ability to support differences of opinion, and help individuals resolve conflict when needed.
- Proven experience in development actions in one or more of the following, or related themes: Entrepreneurship, Food Security and Nutrition, Food Sovereignty, Environment, Women and Youth Empowerment
- Knowledge of NGO operations and regulatory environment in the United States.
- Familiarity with and experience in responding to requests for applications/proposals (RFA/RFP), call for proposals, indefinite quantity contracts and task orders.
- Excellent networking, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
- Experienced with Microsoft Office package, internet browser, and other appropriate technology.
- Educated on current affairs within the NGO landscape. Knowledge on social/economic issues facing vulnerable or under-represented populations.
- Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
- An excellent team player with the ability to work with diverse cultural groups.
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:
- Unify the Heifer USA team behind a commonly shared vision.
- Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
- Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.
- Constant sitting, standing, and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.
- Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) floor to waist.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible schedules.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally.
- Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
- Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
Salary Information:
- The salary range for this position is $135,000 to $150,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on the experience and competency level of the candidate.
- What We Offer:
- Heifer International offers a variety of benefits for U.S. based employees working 30 or more hours per week.
- Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account
- Employee assistance program
- 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match +3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution)
- 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year
- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
- Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities
- Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan and pet protection
- And more!
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.
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