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PRESIDENT & CEO

 

The Organization:

The Food Bank of South Jersey operates on one simple premise: food should not be wasted when we have neighbors going to bed hungry. From this truth, we have built an effective food distribution program that annually links 20+ million pounds of food with more than 200 charitable food providers, such as food pantries, community kitchens, and shelters in the four counties we serve: Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem.

A member of the Feeding America network of national food banks, the Food Bank of South Jersey works alongside four other food banks in the state to develop immediate and effective solutions to eliminate hunger and food insecurity in our designated service areas.

Established in 1985 by a small group of individuals who saw an increased need for emergency food services, the Food Bank of South Jersey is now the largest distributor of charitable food services in South Jersey. Through the years, our vision has expanded beyond our core feeding program to offer a range of direct services and programs that target the distinct needs of working-poor families, their children, and at-risk seniors. Today, FBSJ operates out of Pennsauken, New Jersey and employs 70+ team members.

Role:

Location: Pennsauken, NJ  
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Partners with: Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief People Officer

Position Overview & Opportunity:

The President & CEO is responsible for leading the organization in pursuit of its mission, including executive leadership of the food bank, its strategic planning, stewardship of current and future donors along with the development team, and ensuring it financial health and sustainability. The CEO works closely with the Board of Trustees and FBSJ’s highly talented team of roughly 70 members through four direct reports (Chief Officers of Operations, Finance, Fund Development, and Human Resources) to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. FBSJ has an annual operating budget of $18+ million.

Priorities of the Position:

  • Identify innovative business, services and program opportunities geared toward sustainability in the context of ending food insecurity, improving health outcomes, and solving the root causes of poverty.
  • Lead the organization through a period of financial transition, ensuring diversified, sustainable revenue streams, and identifying creative earned-income opportunities.
  • Diversify and grow the donor base, working closely with current donors and growing new revenue streams.
  • Reinforce board governance and fundraising capacity, aligning the Board around strategic priorities while engaging them more deeply in resource development.
  • Partner with the Board Chair to strengthen and enhance Board capacity, ensuring that members receive timely training in fundraising, development, and governance practices, while maintaining clear respect for the Board’s role in governance and oversight.
  • Focus on diversity, inclusion, and racial equity within the organization, and in the community while bringing new voices to the table.
  • Convene and collaborate with all community constituents to achieve impactful solutions to problems facing the most vulnerable in the four South Jersey counties we serve.
  • Ensure infrastructure, technology, processes, and systems are scalable and can keep pace with a challenging and changing environment.
  • Support staff resilience and morale through transparent communication, servant leadership, and a culture that values inclusion and trust.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

  • Define, communicate, and build consensus for FBSJ’s mission and long-term vision.
  • Develop and implement both strategic and short-term plans aligned with evolving community needs.
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson, shaping and communicating the organization’s goals to staff, partners, and the broader public.

 Fundraising & External Relations

  • Lead and actively participate in fundraising initiatives, cultivating relationships with donors, corporations, and foundations.
  • Identify and secure new revenue streams while strengthening the endowment program.
  • Build FBSJ’s visibility and credibility locally and regionally, representing the organization with media, civic organizations, legislators, and key stakeholders.

Organizational Development & Culture

  • Recruit, mentor, and retain a strong leadership team; provide servant leadership that reinforces a resilient and inclusive culture.
  • Oversee staff planning and alignment while preparing for leadership succession in critical operational areas.
  • Forge collaborative partnerships with community organizations, pantries, and healthcare systems to amplify collective impact.

Financial & Operational Stewardship

  • Ensure financial stability through sound planning, budgeting, and compliance with all government regulations.
  • Provide transparent reporting to the Board, including reviews of financial and operational performance and strengthen expectations around communication with the Board, with final guidance and emphasis to be determined in collaboration with the Board Chair.
  • Modernize infrastructure, technology, and systems to support scalability, efficiency, and accountability.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • At least 15 years of related experience leading up to organizational leadership, preferably including significant experience in the non-profit sector:
  • Demonstrated track record as an innovative leader.
  • Previous experience in leading staff members through managers.
  • Related experience in the development and shaping of strategic plans.
  • Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating corporate partnerships and high-net-worth donors.
  • Experience leading organizations through financial transitions and funding shifts.
  • Familiarity with South Jersey/Delaware Valley communities and ability to build local credibility quickly.
  • Track record of succession planning and operational continuity in critical leadership areas.
  • Prior experience strengthening board governance and fundraising capacity.

Personal Characteristics/Proficiencies:

  • Passionate – About understanding and helping people in need, investing in them, and about learning and growing in ways to help others.
  • Visionary – Continually thinking about future growth and looking for needs and opportunities and planning strategically.
  • Leadership – Proven skill and record of success as a leader – with the demonstrated capacity to be a “servant leader” in attitude and approach.
  • Business Developer – Interest, aptitude and skill in growing organizational revenues, including through direct interaction with funding sources.
  • Communications Skills – Skilled public speaker who can be the “face” of the organization and prepare and deliver presentations to audiences, large and small, including the media.
  • Assertive and Emotionally Strong – Able to stand behind convictions and to press on in the face of challenges and opposition.
  • Collaborator – Understanding of how to employ the power of collaboration – i.e., applying the “collective impact” dynamic.
  • Charisma – Charismatic leadership qualities with the ability to inspire confidence, lead others, and capture the attention and interest of diverse groups.
  • Business Acumen – Able to interpret and work with financial statements – and experienced and skilled in managing operational costs.
  • Proactive – Naturally prepared and proactive in responding to challenges and difficult circumstances, even when unexpected – e.g., disaster recovery in response to a tornado.
  • Locally Connected – Possesses or can quickly develop strong ties in South Jersey to build trust with donors, policymakers, and pantry partners.
  • Resilient & Adaptive – Comfortable leading through uncertainty, layoffs, and changing funding models while maintaining staff morale.
  • Inclusive & Transparent – Builds trust through openness, valuing diversity of perspective and ensuring equity in decision-making.
  • Advocacy-Oriented – Strong presence with legislators and policymakers; able to advance FBSJ’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Inspirational Communicator – Compelling storyteller able to motivate staff, donors, and the broader community.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Organizational Development, Human Services, Management Engineering, Public Affairs or a related Public Health Field.

Compensation and Benefits:

The budgeted compensation for this role is $225k – $250k plus a comprehensive benefits package.

 

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To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Neeta Mehta
Partner, Bridge Partners
Neeta.Mehta@bridgepartnersllc.com            

Janet Albert
Partner, Bridge Partners
Janet.Albert@bridgepartnersllc.com

 

Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.
We urge your prompt consideration of this impactful leadership role.

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