Job Openings
Position Overview
SAFE Shelter seeks an experienced and visionary leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the CEO helps shape the strategic and operational direction of SAFE Shelter, including policy development, staffing, and program execution. The CEO is responsible for the overall management and administration of the organization, to include personnel, fundraising, communication, fiscal management, board support, community education, development of collaborative partnerships, and program design, implementation & evaluation. The CEO upholds the values, mission and goals of the organization and plays a key leadership role, serving as the most visible representative of the agency.
SAFE Shelter is searching for a new Chief Executive Officer. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and manage a nonprofit organization that seeks to address the impact of domestic violence by providing quality services to those affected and to create social change through education, training, and activism.
Leadership Competencies
The next CEO of SAFE Shelter will bring a combination of vision, integrity, and deep commitment to the organization. They will be an inspiring leader, a strategic thinker, and a trusted partner to the board, staff, and community. Specifically, the CEO will demonstrate strength in the following areas:
1. Strategic Vision & Adaptive Leadership
The CEO will be a strategic, forward-thinking leader who can guide SAFE Shelter through growth and change. They will engage staff and board in thoughtful planning, align organizational goals with mission, inspire confidence, and drive innovation to elevate the organization’s impact.
2. Organizational Management & Team Leadership
The CEO will be an effective manager of people and operations—able to build and support a cohesive, high-performing staff team. They must motivate and unite employees around shared goals, strengthen internal systems, oversee financial stewardship, and maintain a strong, collaborative partnership with the board.
3. Fundraising, Resource Development & Financial Sustainability
The next CEO must ensure a strong financial foundation for SAFE Shelter by cultivating donor relationships, identifying and securing new funding, and effectively stewarding grants and proposals. Sustainable revenue generation is essential to the organization’s future stability and growth.
4. Community Engagement & Collaborative Relationships
The CEO will be an excellent listener, communicator, and relationship builder who can engage long-standing partners while forging new connections across Savannah. They will increase the organization’s visibility and influence, foster goodwill, and build mutually beneficial collaborations that strengthen support for SAFE Shelter’s mission.
5. Integrity, Local Insight & Inclusive Leadership
The next CEO will lead with honesty, transparency, and respect, earning the trust of staff, board, survivors, and the broader community. They will see the value in putting the team first and be a strengths-based leader. They will bring a deep understanding of the community’s needs and champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in all aspects of the organization’s work, modeling values that align with SAFE Shelter’s mission.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be a thoughtful, committed leader with the following attributes:
- Integrity and trustworthiness – leads with honesty, transparency, and ethical judgment
- Connector mindset – quickly builds authentic relationships and earns trust
- Inclusive and strengths-based leadership style – values diverse perspectives and fosters equity
- Clear communicator – inspires through passion for the Foundation’s mission
- Collaborative approach – open to feedback, encourages innovation
- Visionary mindset – forward-looking, creative, and adaptable
Qualifications
In addition to the leadership competencies and personal qualities listed, specific qualifications include the following:
- Proven business acumen, with a track record of effective management.
- Master’s degree in one of the social sciences, business, public administration, law or related field with two (2) years’ experience in a leadership role is preferred. Will consider a Bachelor’s degree in one of the social sciences, business, public administration, law or related field, with five (5) years’ experience in successfully developing and managing human services/nonprofit programs, with at least two (2) years’ experience in a leadership role, or any combination of education and experience commensurate to the job.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and develop staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performance, feedback-rich culture.
- Proven experience managing nonprofit operations, including strong fiscal management, budgeting, and oversight of organizational systems and processes.
- Ability to align mission, strategy, programs, and measurable outcomes while planning and facilitating organizational priorities.
- Strong relationship-building skills with diverse populations, community partners, agencies, and governing boards.
- Excellent communication and public relations skills, with the ability to represent the organization persuasively and professionally.
- Demonstrated experience with fundraising and grant management, including grant writing and resource development.
- Knowledge and experience in domestic violence, interpersonal violence, and/or trauma-informed practices preferred.
SAFE Shelter is an equal opportunity employer.
Compensation
The salary for the CEO role is commensurate with experience. The current salary range for the position is $90,000 – $125,000 per year. As an organization committed to the health and wellness of its team, SAFE Shelter offers a full benefits package, including Paid Time Off, Holidays, Insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability), and training and development opportunities.
Contact Information for Interested candidates
To express your interest in this position, please send a cover letter that clearly addresses how your experience aligns with the position’s qualifications and leadership competencies, along with a resume, to:
Search Committee
SAFE Shelter
Search@safeshelter.org
No phone calls please.