Chief Executive Officer - Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia

Chief Executive Officer

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Career Opportunity

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The ideal candidate will demonstrate operational expertise, passion for this work, deep care for the community, and the ability to expand partnerships and funding to meet growing community needs.

Mission: Leading the effort to end hunger and improve lives. Second Harvest serves as the food safety net for those who are at risk for hunger throughout Coastal Georgia.

Reporting Structure: The CEO reports to a Board of 19 Directors and leads 8 direct reports, including the Director of Operations, Comptroller, Director of Development, Marketing & Communications Director, Food & Beverage Director, Kids Café Director, Director of Programs, and Director of HR & Administration. The organizational structure is flexible and will be evaluated and aligned by and with the new Executive Director.

Total Staff and Budget: 57 staff members and a $39 million budget in 2024

Compensation: The salary is commensurate with experience and is $200,000 annually with the potential for an annual bonus.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; 401(K) retirement plan; HSA contributions; basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage; and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

Working Environment/Location: This is a full-time, in-person leadership role based in Savannah, Georgia. Some local, regional, state, and national travel is expected.

Key Responsibilities of the CEO

Organizational Leadership

• Lead with integrity, humility, and a servant-leadership mindset.
• Cultivate a strong and inclusive workplace culture that reflects the organization’s mission and values.
• Foster open communication, accountability, and collaborative decision-making across all levels of the organization.
• Build and support a high-performing leadership team.

Strategic Vision and Impact

• Advance the Food Bank’s strategic priorities to serve people with dignity while serving as excellent stewards of organizational funding.
• Identify opportunities to improve food distribution and innovative program delivery.
• Build cross-functional collaboration across programs, operations, development, and community partners.

External Relations and Fundraising

• Serve as the public face of the Food Bank, cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, elected officials, business leaders, and media.
• Expand and diversify the donor base beyond legacy funders and traditional sources.
• Collaborate with the Development team to increase philanthropic revenue, grant funding, and community partnerships.

Operational and Fiscal Stewardship

• Ensure sound financial management, budgeting, compliance, and reporting practices.
• Oversee facilities, logistics, food sourcing, and safety with attention to modernization and efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement in systems and technology across departments.
• Navigate effective disaster response including hurricanes and tropical storms in times of crisis.

Community Engagement

• Partner with the Board of Directors to set direction, evaluate performance, and ensure strong governance.
• Engage deeply with the local community, especially underserved and food-insecure populations.
• Represent Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia in the Feeding America network, with Feeding Georgia, and with various regional and state coalitions.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Mission-Driven Leadership – A track record of leading mission-focused organizations or teams with a commitment to community health and well-being.
• Collaborative and Relational – Builds trust with staff, volunteers, donors, and partners; leads with empathy and approachability.
• Operational Acumen – Understands the complexities of nonprofit operations, logistics, finance, and compliance. Familiarity with warehouse and distribution environments is helpful.
• Visionary and Strategic – Anticipates future needs and guides the organization toward meaningful and sustainable solutions.
• Effective Communicator and Fundraiser – Skilled in public speaking, major fundraising events, conflict resolution, and clear communication across stakeholders. Experience interacting with donors, business leaders, government officials, radio, television, newspapers, and online media is strongly valued.
• Alignment to the mission, vision, and core values is essential.

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred. At least 10 years of nonprofit, public agency, or private sector leadership experience required, with demonstrated success leading complex organizations or teams.

About Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia

Founded in 1981, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia serves as the food bank for a 21-county service delivery area. As a member of the Feeding America network, Second Harvest provides more than 21 million meals annually through an extensive network of over 245 partner agencies and programs such as Kids Cafe, the Brown Bag for Seniors, Mobile Food Pantry, and community feeding initiatives.

• The organization operates out of a modern 150,000square-f

oot facility with a large fleet of trucks in Savannah with 54,000-square-feet of satellite operations in Brunswick. Second Harvest is known for its passionate staff, dedicated volunteer base, and strong community roots. It is especially committed to reaching underserved areas and building innovative approaches to reduce food insecurity and promote nutritional health across Coastal Georgia.

Want to know more? Visit https://www.helpendhunger.org.

About Savannah

Savannah is a vibrant coastal city known for its rich history, artistic culture, and Southern charm. With beautiful architecture, parks, and a thriving culinary scene, Savannah offers a high quality of life and a strong sense of community. The region is also home to diverse populations and experiences high levels of food insecurity in both urban and rural settings, and Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is an essential resource for many people across the region.

Want to know more? Visit https://www.visitsavannah.com.

How To Apply

Join Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and play a critical role in shaping its future while driving impactful change in the region.

To apply, click on the link for this position at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/jobs/chief-executive-officer-second-harvest-of-coastal-georgia-job-1467/ . You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

About Armstrong McGuire

Armstrong McGuire is a national executive search, fundraising, and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning.