Got a passion for food and a drive for equity? Reach out to us!
We are currently hiring for three senior-level positions.
We are always looking for mentors and food industry professionals to share their skills. If you are interested in volunteering, take a minute to tell us about yourself.
CommonWealth Kitchen provides a launching pad for entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities to start and build successful food companies. Our shared kitchens in Dorchester are home to an average of 50 early-stage food businesses from food trucks and caterers to CPG producers (consumer packaged goods) such as hot sauce. CWK pairs this kitchen operation with education and technical programs to support food businesses along their journey from concept to established company, reaching another 200+ diverse businesses annually. CommonWealth Kitchen’s comprehensive approach is uniquely organized to level the playing field to allow its member companies—75% of whom are owned by women and people of color—to succeed in the notoriously challenging food industry. The Director of Business Development works to identify and manage strategic industry partnerships that can provide members with financially viable market opportunities essential to their success. This market development and strategic partnership management work is core to CWK’s efforts to build an equitable, resilient food economy truly grounded in racial, social, and economic justice.
The Director of Business Development is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing CWK’s market access work with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including buyers, distributors, event planners, procurement staff, developers, and food service operators. Responsibilities include the following:
Among CWK’s upcoming or recent business development opportunities are: securing space and all requirements for CWK food trucks in Kendall Square and in the Longwood Medical area, collaborating with a major grocery chain for a CWK local food space, and launching a CWK food hall in a rapidly growing biotech corridor.
The Director of Business Development will enjoy busy days advising entrepreneurs about their sales and market development strategy, implementing the steps to bring CWK products and services to an institutional partner, and tracking down the many member opportunities CWK expects to develop at its June 2022 food show. This role requires an entrepreneurial mindset, excellent problem-solving and relationship management skills, and great attention to detail, categorized as follows:
Access to Markets
CWK Member Support and CWK Operations
Organizational Strategy and Policy
Blending relationship management, negotiation, advocacy, business coaching, sales, and strategy implementation, this role is big! It’s ideal for an entrepreneurial, impact-driven individual looking to help build and scale diverse food businesses and play a key leadership role within CWK’s fast-growing social enterprise. Candidates should demonstrate the following:
CommonWealth Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse staff who are representative of the community we serve and who bring a variety of traditions, experiences, and points of view to our organization. Individuals of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Interested candidates must be authorized to work legally in the United States.
CommonWealth Kitchen offers a fast-paced, rewarding work environment at our 196 Quincy Street location, a group employee health insurance plan, and excellent holiday and vacation benefits. Salary range is expected to be $75,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience.
This position will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
This is not your typical sales or business development position and CommonWealth Kitchen is not your typical food industry business. Boost your candidacy by including a carefully drafted cover letter that explains why you are uniquely qualified for this position. CWK is working with Carolyn O’Brien Consulting, LLC on this search.
Since our inception, CWK has graduated 65+ businesses out of our programs and into their own facilities that were still in business pre-COVID. Over 75% of these companies are owned by women and/or people of color. Combined, these alumni employ 600+ and generate over $65M in combined annual gross revenue.
CWK has received numerous awards and accolades for its work, most recently being named Boston Magazine’s Best Community Catalyst in their July 2021 Best of Boston edition.
Through this work, CWK is building a just, equitable, food economy where everyone can participate and prosper and meeting our mission of building a new food economy grounded in racial, social, and economic justice.
CommonWealth Kitchen (CWK) provides a launching pad for entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities to start and build successful food companies. Our shared kitchens in Dorchester are home to an average of 50 early-stage food businesses from food trucks and caterers to CPG producers (consumer packaged goods) such as hot sauce. CWK pairs this kitchen operation with education and technical programs to support food businesses along their journey from concept to established company, reaching another 200+ diverse businesses annually. CommonWealth Kitchen’s comprehensive approach is uniquely organized to level the playing field to allow its member companies—75% of whom are owned by women and people of color—to succeed in the notoriously challenging food industry. The Director of Institutional Giving will be a passionate writer, researcher, communicator, and strategist partnering with CWK’s Executive Director and funders to secure new opportunities for entrepreneurs and CommonWealth Kitchen.
CommonWealth Kitchen has navigated both opportunity and challenge over the course of the COVID pandemic. With support from public financing and generous investments from local foundations, CWK purchased its campus in February 2022. The City of Boston and other funders have invested in CommonWealth Kitchen to help produce meals during the height of the crisis, support restaurant resiliency, and launch new opportunities for CWK member entrepreneurs at MIT, Stop & Shop, and Longwood Medical area. The new Director of Institutional Giving will join CWK during a time of growth, rather than scarcity, requiring an individual ready to collaborate with the Executive Director in crafting compelling proposals, reports and marketing materials that tell the powerful story of CWK’s impact. The Director will skillfully manage and cultivate relationships with funders and partners, and implement systems that support strong foundation relations, government grantmaking, and corporate giving. CWK is nearing completion on an organization-wide Salesforce database integrated into all of its operations, and the Director should have expertise and affinity for accurate and timely data gathering and reporting across programs. The Director of Institutional Giving will also work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications on all aspects of CWK’s external messaging in support of the fundraising strategy.
This new role is a chance for an experienced fundraiser with institutional giving experience to join the senior leadership team at CommonWealth Kitchen. CWK’s budget has grown to $3.6 million annually, which includes an enviable mix of public, private, and corporate foundation grants; government contracts; and growing earned revenue (nearly 40% pre-COVID). Loyal individual donors contribute 5% to the philanthropic budget, and this role will support growing those efforts at times, as well. Among the immediate opportunities is the relaunch of CWK’s annual food show in June 2022, which will offer prospective corporate supporters an engaging introduction to CWK’s talented entrepreneurs and their products.
The Director of Institutional Giving will be responsible for the following:
Institutional Fund Development and Stewardship
Organizational Leadership and Strategy
Where else could you combine your foundation and corporate fundraising expertise with two active kitchens, inspiring entrepreneurs, delicious foods, and an authentic chance to shape a just, equitable, food economy where everyone can participate and prosper? Candidates should bring the following experience and personal qualities:
CommonWealth Kitchen offers a fast-paced, rewarding work environment at our 196 Quincy Street location, a group employee health insurance plan, and excellent holiday and vacation benefits. Salary range is expected to be $80,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience.
This position will report directly to the Executive Director, while collaborating closely with the COO and Director of Marketing and Communications.
Please submit a resume with clear metrics that demonstrate your impact, as well as a thoughtful cover letter that outlines both your expertise in institutional giving as well as how your personal or professional journey has led you to a commitment to building equity in the food industry. CWK is working with Carolyn O’Brien Consulting, LLC on this search.
Since our inception, CWK has graduated 65+ businesses out of our programs and into their own facilities that were still in business pre-COVID. Over 75% of these companies are owned by women and/or people of color. Combined, these alumni employ 600+ and generate over $65M in combined annual gross revenue.
CWK has received numerous awards and accolades for its work, most recently being named Boston Magazine’s Best Community Catalyst in their July 2021 Best of Boston edition.
Through this work, CWK is building a just, equitable, food economy where everyone can participate and prosper and meeting our mission of building a new food economy grounded in racial, social, and economic justice.