Chief Development Officer
Lead philanthropy, engagement, and community impact across coastal Georgia
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Salary Range: $120,000–$140,000 annually
Position Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership
Reports to: President/CEO
About Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
As a proud member of the Feeding America network, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is the leading hunger-relief organization serving 21 counties in our region. With facilities in Savannah and Brunswick, we provide more than 26 million pounds of food each year to over 250 local charitable agencies and programs, including food pantries, shelters, and schools.
Through innovative programs like Kids Cafe, Mobile Food Pantry, and Senior Meals—and in partnership with community organizations and volunteers—Second Harvest is dedicated to nourishing lives, building community resilience, and eliminating food insecurity.
Position Summary
Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is seeking an accomplished and mission-driven Chief Development Officer to lead the organization’s fundraising, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, advocacy, and community outreach strategies.
As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Development Officer will provide the strategic vision needed to expand philanthropic support, strengthen community relationships, elevate Second Harvest’s visibility, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Reporting directly to the President/CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors, this leader will develop and execute comprehensive annual and multi-year development plans supporting the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraising executive, collaborative team leader, compelling communicator, and skilled relationship builder who is energized by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference throughout coastal Georgia.
Executive Leadership and Strategy
· Partner with the President/CEO and executive leadership team to establish and advance long-range organizational goals and strategic priorities.
· Develop annual and multi-year fundraising and engagement plans with measurable goals and performance indicators.
· Serve as a strategic advisor on philanthropy, communications, volunteer engagement, advocacy, and community relations.
· Monitor philanthropic trends, community needs, economic conditions, and donor behavior to identify opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.
Fundraising and Resource Development
· Lead a comprehensive fundraising program encompassing major gifts, annual giving, direct mail, corporate partnerships, foundation and institutional giving, government grants, planned giving, capital campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship.
· Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and community partners.
· Diversify revenue streams to strengthen organizational sustainability and reduce funding risk.
· Develop compelling cases for support and engagement strategies that improve donor acquisition, retention, and lifetime value.
· Establish effective systems for prospect development, donor recognition, stewardship, and fundraising performance measurement.
· Ensure compliance with applicable legal, ethical, and professional fundraising standards.
Marketing, Communications, and Brand Leadership
· Oversee integrated marketing and communications strategies that strengthen Second Harvest’s visibility, reputation, and community impact.
· Direct public relations, digital marketing, social media, storytelling, traditional media, and direct-response campaigns.
· Guide the development of annual reports, newsletters, impact reports, press releases, campaign materials, and executive communications.
· Serve as an organizational spokesperson and represent Second Harvest at community events, public presentations, stakeholder meetings, and media opportunities.
Advocacy and Community Engagement
· Partner with the President/CEO and community leaders to increase awareness of hunger, food insecurity, and related public-policy issues.
· Build relationships with elected officials, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporate partners, civic groups, and advocacy coalitions.
· Develop strategies that educate and engage donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders around hunger-relief priorities.
· Provide strategic oversight of volunteer services, ensuring meaningful experiences that deepen community involvement and expand organizational capacity.
· Create opportunities for volunteers and community partners to become long-term supporters, ambassadors, and advocates for Second Harvest’s mission.
Board and Team Leadership
· Collaborate with the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Development and Communications Committee to advance fundraising and engagement priorities.
· Equip board members with the strategies, information, and tools needed to cultivate relationships and serve as effective organizational ambassadors.
· Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing development, marketing, communications, and volunteer engagement teams.
· Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
· Establish clear performance expectations and provide employees with ongoing coaching, feedback, and recognition.
Financial and Operational Management
· Develop and manage departmental budgets with a strong commitment to responsible stewardship.
· Use fundraising analytics and performance data to evaluate effectiveness, guide decisions, and improve return on investment.
· Identify opportunities to strengthen technology, systems, and operational processes.
Qualifications, Education, and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or Certified Fund Raising Executive designation preferred.
· At least 10 years of progressive team leadership experience in nonprofit development, philanthropy, or a related executive leadership role.
· Demonstrated success leading a comprehensive fundraising program.
· Proven ability to secure major gifts, institutional support, corporate partnerships, planned gifts, capital campaign contributions, and government grants.
· Experience leading integrated marketing, communications, and brand strategies.
· Experience working closely with boards of directors, advisory boards, and volunteer leaders.
· Experience recruiting, managing, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
· Experience with advocacy, public awareness, or public-policy initiatives involving community organizations, government agencies, or elected officials is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Exceptional strategic leadership and organizational planning skills.
· Strong record of building trusted relationships with donors, board members, volunteers, corporate partners, elected officials, and community leaders.
· Excellent writing, presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
· Strong financial management, budgeting, and analytical abilities.
· Thorough knowledge of nonprofit fundraising practices, donor stewardship, prospect development, and CRM systems.
· Ability to analyze fundraising performance and market trends and translate findings into effective strategies.
· Understanding of advocacy, coalition building, public policy, and nonprofit lobbying regulations.
· Executive presence, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style.
· Genuine commitment to Second Harvest’s mission and the communities we serve.
Position Requirements
· Local and regional travel of up to 25%.
· Occasional evening and weekend availability for donor events, community activities, and meetings.
· Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
· Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is $120,000–$140,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Join Our Mission
This is an opportunity to pair executive leadership with meaningful community impact. The Chief Development Officer will help shape the future of Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia while building the partnerships and philanthropic support needed to nourish our neighbors and create a more food-secure region.
Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you submitted an interest letter? It is highly recommended to do so if you want your resume to be considered.
- What is the largest annual philanthropic fundraising goal for which you have held primary responsibility?
- How many years have you directly managed a development or fundraising team?
- What is the largest individual gift you have personally helped cultivate and close?
- Have you been responsible for developing and managing an annual fundraising plan that included multiple revenue streams, such as major gifts, corporate giving, foundations, events, and direct mail?
- Briefly describe how you have partnered with a CEO, board members, or other organizational leaders to cultivate and solicit major donors. Please provide one specific example.
- Please describe your most significant fundraising accomplishment. Include the amount raised, your personal role, the fundraising strategy used, and the timeframe.
Education:
Experience:
- philanthropic fundraising: 10 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
