Description
About Food System Innovations
Food System Innovations (FSI) is a philanthropy that builds, funds, and invests in market-based solutions to accelerate the transition to sustainable proteins. By advancing innovation across plant-based, fermentation-derived, cell-cultivated, and balanced protein technologies, FSI works to improve taste, reduce costs, strengthen markets, and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable foods.
Role Overview
FSI is seeking a Market Development Director to help build one of the most promising emerging categories in the global food system: balanced proteins. This role is an opportunity to shape an entirely new market by working alongside manufacturers, retailers, foodservice companies, researchers, and philanthropists to accelerate adoption at scale.
Reporting to FSI’s CEO, the Market Development Director will partner with FSI’s Category Innovation Director to execute FSI's balanced protein strategy. They will manage strategic partnerships, pilot programs, market development initiatives, and industry collaborations designed to increase the availability and adoption of balanced protein ingredients and end products.
Example projects may include launching pilot programs with national retailers or foodservice operators, coordinating pre-competitive collaborations across manufacturers and industry partners, developing implementation playbooks and best practices to support category adoption, organizing executive convenings and industry roundtables, publishing case studies that accelerate learning across the sector, and supporting commercialization partnerships that help bring balanced protein products to market. While the specific initiatives will evolve over time, the overarching goal remains the same: to identify and execute high-impact strategies that accelerate the development of the balanced protein market.
This is a highly cross-functional role requiring equal comfort developing strategy, managing complex projects, engaging senior industry leaders, and translating research into action. Success will be measured not simply by completed projects, but by measurable growth in the balanced protein market.
The ideal candidate is comfortable managing complex cross-functional initiatives, coordinating external partners, and representing FSI with industry leaders. Success in this role will require identifying opportunities independently, bringing new ideas forward, and owning initiatives from conception through execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy
- Lead strategic initiatives that accelerate adoption of balanced proteins across retail and foodservice.
- Translate organizational priorities into executable project plans, milestones, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
- Manage a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives spanning research, pilots, communications, partnerships, and market development.
- Identify emerging market opportunities and develop new initiatives that advance the balanced protein category.
- Industry Engagement
- Build and manage relationships with manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators, distributors, investors, researchers, NGOs, and other strategic partners.
- Convene and facilitate pre-competitive collaborations that address shared barriers to category growth.
- Support industry working groups, advisory committees, executive convenings, and collaborative initiatives.
- Identify and cultivate new partnerships that expand FSI's impact and accelerate category adoption.
- Pilot Programs & Market Development
- Design, launch, and oversee pilot programs with retail, foodservice, and institutional partners.
- Coordinate implementation across participating organizations, research partners, and external vendors.
- Analyze pilot results and translate findings into practical implementation resources and best practices.
- Monitor category performance and identify opportunities to increase adoption and commercial success.
- Communication & Thought Leadership
- Translate research findings into compelling narratives and practical insights for industry audiences.
- Develop presentations, reports, case studies, implementation guides, newsletters, and other educational resources.
- Support communications surrounding research publications, pilot results, and major industry initiatives.
- Collaborate with FSI leadership on thought leadership, conference presentations, webinars, and public speaking opportunities.
- Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships
- Support philanthropic fundraising and business development by contributing to proposals, funder briefings, and strategic partnership opportunities.
- Help identify opportunities to secure external funding and expand the balanced protein ecosystem.
- Collaborate with FSI leadership to develop new initiatives in response to partner and funder interest.
- External Representation
- Represent FSI at conferences, workshops, industry meetings, and stakeholder convenings.
- Build trusted relationships with current and prospective collaborators across the food system.
- Serve as a visible ambassador for FSI and the balanced protein category.
- Monitor emerging trends, stakeholder perspectives, and market developments to inform FSI's strategy.
What Success Looks Like After One Year
Within your first year at FSI, you will have established yourself as a trusted leader in the balanced protein ecosystem and made measurable progress toward accelerating category adoption. Success may include:
- Launching and managing multiple strategic pilot programs with leading retailers, foodservice operators, or manufacturers.
- Building strong relationships with industry leaders, researchers, NGOs, and strategic partners that result in new collaborations and opportunities.
- Coordinating cross-sector initiatives that address shared barriers to balanced protein adoption.
- Publishing practical implementation resources, case studies, or market insights that help organizations adopt balanced proteins more effectively.
- Representing FSI at major industry conferences and becoming a recognized thought leader in the emerging balanced protein category.
- Identifying and launching new high-impact initiatives that meaningfully advance FSI's mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable proteins through market-based solutions.
Requirements
- Relevant Industry Experience: 8 or more years of professional experience in the food industry, foodservice, retail, consumer goods, or a related sector. Experience working across multiple stakeholders and bringing products or initiatives to market is strongly preferred.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: A self-starter with a bias towards action who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and is comfortable navigating ambiguity, adapting quickly to changing priorities, and operating in a lean manner without significant support staff.
- Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans, including setting clear objectives, identifying key performance indicators, monitoring performance, and updating tactics based on progress.
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to develop and oversee market research and translate data into actionable insights.
- Collaborative Creativity: Strong networking and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders (brands, retailers, food service operators, NGOs, trade shows, investors, research institutions, and other relevant organizations).
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Mission-Driven Passion: Deep commitment to advancing sustainable and ethical practices within the food system, with a specific interest in accelerating the adoption of sustainable proteins through market-based solutions.
- Remote Work Proficiency: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively in a remote environment.
Benefits
FSI offers a competitive benefits package that includes full medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401k plan, work phone and internet reimbursement, companion animal benefits, unlimited PTO, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, and flexible work hours.
Salary Range
$140,000 - $160,000 (based on location and experience).
Location
This is a fully remote position within the United States. Domestic travel and occasional international travel (approximately 1-2 trips per month) are expected.
Eligibility
The successful applicant should be legally able to work in the United States. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. for additional information.
Equal Opportunity
FSI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters on Workable. We appreciate all applicants' interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
