The Opportunity
As Second Harvest embarks on this exciting next chapter, they seek a Vice President, People & Culture (“VP”), who will be responsible for shaping and sustaining positive mission-driven and people-centered organizational success. Reporting to the President & CEO and leading a team of 2.5 FTEs, this role will oversee all human resources functions to ensure the workforce is engaged, well-supported, and aligned to Second Harvest’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
The VP leads talent strategy, workforce planning, culture and engagement, total rewards, safety and compliance, learning and development, and employee relations. This role guides organizational leaders in fostering an environment where employees feel valued, respected, included, and are equipped to thrive in the workplace.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Leadership & Culture
• Lead development and execution of HR strategies that enable mission success.
• Serve as the strategic HR partner to the Leadership Team, advising on workforce planning, culture, and organizational development.
• Collaborate closely with executive partners to drive organizational success through people.
• Champion a culture of belonging rooted in the values of Adaptability, Co-Creation, Equity, Innovation, Radical Hospitality and Empathy & Compassion.
• Enhance employee engagement and retention through data-informed initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Champion the integration of data analytics and emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools, to enhance talent acquisition, benefits administration, and workforce planning.
• Lead the people-centered strategy for Second Harvest’s upcoming major campus move, ensuring a smooth and engaging transition by driving comprehensive change management efforts, crafting clear and timely employee communications, and designing event-based engagement initiatives that reinforce a positive, employee-focused experience throughout the transition.
Talent & People Experience
• Oversee recruitment strategies that attract, develop, and retain top talent, ensuring a positive candidate journey.
• Support leadership and department heads in succession planning and talent pipeline development.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance, employee relations, accountability, and recognition.
• Oversee the performance management system to ensure clarity of expectations and continuous growth for employees.
Total Rewards & HR Operations
• Design and maintain competitive and equitable compensation and benefits programs aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead benefits and retirement planning and vendor management, including brokers and insurance providers.
• Oversee payroll administration to ensure accurate processing, compliance, and timely resolution of payroll-related issues.
• Manage leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA and other statutory or organizational leave policies, to ensure consistent interpretation, proper documentation, and supportive communication with employees and managers.
• Oversee HR systems, compliance reporting, and personnel record integrity.
• Manage HR departmental budget and prioritize resource investments to improve operational efficiency.
Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with all HR regulatory and legal requirements (federal, state, and local).
• Lead workplace safety initiatives, co-chair the Safety Committee, and administer Workers’ Compensation programs.
• Partner with legal counsel as needed concerning employment-related matters.
• Represent the organization in audits, claims, and regulatory interactions.
Organizational Development
• Identify organizational capability needs and drive learning and development initiatives.
• Support organizational change management and communications as the organization scales and evolves.
• Manage special projects and assignments in partnership with the President & CEO and CFO.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
A Commitment to the Culture, Values, & Mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
This leader will bring:
• Genuine passion for Second Harvest’s mission, values, and impact.
• A personal commitment to leading with integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Respect for diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives; fostering an inclusive and values-driven culture.
• The ability to bring Second Harvest’s strong mission and culture to life through innovative and inclusive HR practices.
A Mission-Driven HR Leader & Generalist
This leader will have:
• Progressive and comprehensive HR leadership experience, ideally within mission-driven environments.
• Deep experience leading organizational culture, employee engagement, and people development efforts.
• A record of developing and executing innovative, scalable HR strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• A strong values-orientation, positioning HR as a trusted resource and culture steward.
A Relationship Builder & Collaborative Partner
This leader will:
• Exhibit exceptional interpersonal, consultative, and communication skills, building trust across all levels of the organization.
• Be energized by the opportunity to serve as a trusted coach and strategic partner to the team.
• Communicate with clarity and empathy, particularly during times of change or conflict.
• Be an approachable, collaborative leader who listens actively and responds thoughtfully.
A Strategic & Results-Oriented Leader
This leader will be able to:
• Balance strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on approach, delivering measurable impact.
• Manage multiple priorities, lead change, and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
• Anticipate organizational and workforce needs, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Serve as a thought leader on people strategy, including benefits, culture, employee experience, and engagement.
• Drive continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making and innovation.
Location
The successful candidate must be based in, or willing to relocate to, Nashville, Tennessee. This role is expected to work in-person at Second Harvest’s offices five days per week.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Second Harvest Food Bank covers 100% of the employee-only contributions for each)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer funding
• 100% employer paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
• 403B Retirement Plan (After 1 Year, Second Harvest provides up to 3% contribution match and a 5% base contribution of the employee’s compensation, length of service vesting)
• 12 Sick Days Accrued/Year & 15 Vacation Days Accrued/Year (accruals increase according to length of service schedule) and 10 Paid Holidays
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22833 or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (“Second Harvest”) is a leader in the fight against hunger, working to ensure all community members have the food they need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest has welcomed neighbors with radical hospitality, providing food and resources with care and dignity.
A member of the Feeding America network, Second Harvest is the largest hunger relief organization in Tennessee. The organization collaborates with individuals, nonprofits, and corporate partners to create lasting change across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. In 2024, Second Harvest distributed more than 50 million pounds of food to 615 partner agencies across the region.
This tremendous impact is made possible through a holistic, community-centered approach that includes:
• Food for Today: Access to food is a fundamental human right. Second Harvest meets neighbors’ immediate food needs through disaster relief efforts, distributions to Partner Agencies/program sites, mobile distributions, and neighbor care pantries. The organization works with more than 720 sourcing partners – including more than 500 grocery stores, along with local farmers and food manufacturers – to rescue quality food that might otherwise go to waste and provide fresh, nutritious options for neighbors.
• Food for Tomorrow: To address the root causes of food insecurity, Second Harvest partners with local agencies and service providers to connect neighbors with essential resources like healthcare, housing, legal assistance, and access to critical government programs/benefits.
• Food for a Lifetime: Through workforce development, nutrition education, and other resources provided with strategic partners, Second Harvest works to empower neighbors to break cycles of poverty and build a stronger community for the future.
Second Harvest has a track record of innovation and deep commitment to advancing long-term hunger solutions. More information about the organization’s robust programming can be found in the most recent Annual Report, linked HERE.
Looking Ahead:
Building on its strong reputation and history of impact, Second Harvest has begun imagining its next chapter. This is a critical moment for the organization: across the region, people of all backgrounds are facing increased needs. Currently 1 in 7 neighbors in Second Harvest’s region are facing food insecurity, and demand for food assistance has increased by 46% since 2020.
As a part of this next chapter, Second Harvest will continue its efforts toward the goals outlined in its current strategic plan (ending in FY26), including:
• Beyond Food: Building an intentional network of partners to connect neighbors to services, case management, and other food security work.
• Nourish and Access: Ensuring neighbors have access to food and other assistance in a dignified and equitable manner.
• People and Belonging: Nurturing and sustaining an internal and external culture that reflects Second Harvest’s core values. Read more about the core values HERE.
• Sustainability: Growing sources of food, funding, and infrastructure to increase food security.
Second Harvest will soon begin building a new and expanded campus, which will allow the organization to grow its capacity to provide solutions for neighbors. This campus expansion will allow the organization to double distribution capacity, create space for wraparound services, and strengthen partnerships to support a resilient, sustainable, and community-driven food system.
For more information about Second Harvest, please visit their website: https://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/.