Vice President, People & Culture

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN • Nashville, TN

14h • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed