Chief Executive Officer

The Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) is committed to engaging, educating, and leading Worcester County in creating a hunger-free community while addressing immediate food insecurity.

As the leading food security organization in Worcester County, WCFB coordinates the collection and distribution of quality donations of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to the 60 communities of Worcester County through a network of food pantries and meal programs, and advocates for programs that increase access to healthy food and policy solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity.

The Worcester County Food Bank is seeking a bold, forward-thinking leader ready to mitigate hunger relief in the community. The next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will inspire teams, galvanize partnerships, and drive strategic growth—ensuring that every neighbor has access to the food they need and the dignity they deserve. The CEO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Worcester County Food Bank, leading the organization into the next chapter of community impact. WCFB targets a dynamic, visionary leader who excels at building relationships, demonstrates an inclusive and transparent management style, and possesses strong business acumen. This individual will motivate and guide both staff and volunteers throughout the food distribution process. As the public face of the WCFB, the CEO will be a passionate and persuasive advocate for the mission to end hunger and manage food insecurity.

The CEO holds ultimate responsibility for the administration, management, and strategic direction of the food bank, overseeing staff, programs, finances, facilities, events, and partnerships. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will ensure that the food bank’s operations, services, and funding partnerships consistently achieve—or exceed—strategic goals and objectives.

Key areas of responsibility include leadership of internal operations—warehouse and distribution, programming, agency relations, finances, human resources, marketing and communications, and administration—as well as external-facing initiatives such as advocacy, fundraising, and partnership development.

The ideal candidate will be both a hands‑on leader and an inspiring visionary, capable of advancing the WCFB’s mission while strengthening its connections throughout the community. The successful CEO will instill early trust and be of the highest integrity.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics :

Visionary & Innovative Leader

The ideal candidate brings senior leadership experience, preferably from a nonprofit, food industry, or business administration background. They would have significant experience with growth management. The successful candidate would be a forward‑thinking strategist with the ability to align programs and initiatives to organizational goals while identifying new opportunities such as retail rescue, food sourcing, and partnerships with peer food banks. Equally important, they can navigate challenges posed by government and external systems, ensuring WCFB remains resilient and innovative in the face of change.

Financial and Operational Management

Armed with strong business acumen, the CEO will steward budgets, assets, and revenues with transparency and accountability—ensuring accurate reporting, clean audits, and diverse revenue growth through grants, partnerships, and in‑kind contributions. At the same time, they will inspire and guide staff, senior leaders, and volunteers to deliver on strategic objectives, fostering a culture of mission‑driven leadership, compliance, and professional growth. By uniting fiscal discipline with people‑centered management, they will strengthen organizational capacity and ensure long‑term sustainability.

This leader understands the critical importance of building a strong, formal development program and diversifying revenue beyond state‑provided food. With deep knowledge of charitable fundraising, donor engagement, and retail partnerships, they bring both creativity and discipline to revenue growth. They will be well positioned to pursue new funding sources such as grants, private philanthropy, and retail collaborations, while also laying the groundwork for expanded advocacy and development functions at the executive level. By strengthening donor trust and building lasting partnerships, they will help secure WCFB’s financial future.

Authentic Storyteller & External Spokesperson

As an effective communicator, this individual can translate complex issues of hunger and food systems into stories that inspire support and action. With excellent oral and written communication skills, they will serve as the food bank’s most visible spokesperson, building trust with donors, community leaders, policymakers, and the public. The successful CEO will have a flair and openness to public relations and marketing ensuring that they elevate the organization's profile with their authentic storytelling ability ensuring meaningful connections and the keen understanding of the broadest audience possible.

Relationship Builder & Collaborator

Collaboration sits at the heart of their leadership style. Skilled at working effectively with boards, volunteers, staff, and external partners, they will nurture the trust and relationships necessary to drive WCFB forward. They understand the unique dynamics of food systems in Worcester and across the state, where community trust has been shaped by the former CEO. This leader will be intentional about building new, authentic relationships with vendors, state partners, and peer food banks, while fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency internally.

Culture Builder & Change Management Expertise

This is a leader who thrives in moments of transition and understands the urgency of culture change. With a proven record of staff development, mentorship, collaboration and team building, they will address internal challenges head‑on and foster an environment where staff feel valued, supported, and aligned. Skilled in supervision and people management, they can hire, coach, and develop talent to strengthen the leadership team. Just as importantly, they bring strong change management skills, ready to modernize operations, adopt best practices, and lead WCFB through a cultural and organizational transformation.

Inclusive Leader with Strong Cultural Awareness

With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, this leader is attuned to the complexities of serving diverse communities and navigating human service systems. They bring a strong sense of advocacy, paired with cultural awareness and humility, ensuring that all voices are heard. Sensitive to the history and existing relationships within the Worcester food systems community, they are prepared to build new trust while honoring past partnerships. Their leadership will be rooted in empathy, ensuring WCFB remains responsive to the needs of the community it serves fostering a sense of belonging for all constituents.

Additional Qualifications

• Strategic Planning & Development : Facilitate short‑ and long‑term organizational planning, aligning initiatives, policies, and objectives with WCFB’s mission. Support the Board in governance and committee priorities
• Communication & Advocacy : Serve as a primary spokesperson alongside the Board President, promoting WCFB and its initiatives to media, government agencies, community partners, and donors. Represent WCFB in regional and national collaborations, and advocate for policies that address food insecurity.
• Note : Academic achievements will not take the place of robust applicable / relevant lived experience.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000.

WCFB provides comprehensive and competitive benefits including paid time off, health and dental insurance, life, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, health savings account, and 403(b) retirement savings plan with an employer match.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Maureen Alphonse-Charles, Cheryl Stevens and Christy Farrell. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [emailprotected] . All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

#J-18808-Ljbffr