Posted on June 22, 2012

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President/CEO

Maryland Nonprofits (www.marylandnonprofits.org) seeks a dynamic President/CEO to build on its 20-year history of strengthening and supporting the ability of nonprofits in Maryland to serve and enhance our communities. The vision for this leadership opportunity is an executive with a broad understanding of the sector, who will use his/her leadership, entrepreneurial and community-building skills to develop visionary programs and initiatives that support and advance nonprofits in Maryland and deepen bonds with our members.

The Organization

Maryland Nonprofits’ mission is to strengthen, educate, and engage nonprofit organizations so they can successfully achieve their missions.

Maryland Nonprofits is the collective voice of the nonprofit sector in the state. Through leadership, advocacy, and essential resources, they strengthen individual nonprofits, educate board, staff and volunteers, and engage communities to improve the quality of life for all Marylanders.

Founded in 1992 with 129 members and 2 paid staff, they have grown to over 1,400 nonprofit members. Maryland Nonprofits is a member of the National Council of Nonprofits and is one of the largest and most well regarded among the 37 statewide associations of nonprofits. Seen as a national leader and innovator, Maryland Nonprofits has developed programs, advocacy approaches and other best practices that often set the pace for associations in other states. Maryland Nonprofits’ services include:

• Membership benefits such as health, dental, disability, worker’s compensation and director’s liability insurance; retirement planning services; and other group buying discounts;
• The Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector, which addresses 8 major areas of nonprofit governance and management, and contains 55 implementation goals, providing a structured approach to building capacity, accountability, and sustainability in nonprofits. This is a national program initiated by Maryland Nonprofits and adopted by nine sponsoring organizations at the state and national level;
• Public policy advocacy aimed at creating supportive working environments for nonprofits in Maryland;
• State fiscal analysis by the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute, providing independent, nonpartisan research and analysis on budget, tax, and policy issues facing Marylanders;
• State-wide training programs concerning nonprofit management through seminars such as “Social Media Bootcamp” and “A Well-Rounded Fundraising Plan;”
• A website full of informative resources about topics such as the policies that impact nonprofits, lobbying rules, how to influence policy, obtaining government contracts grants, and more.

Maryland Nonprofits has played and expects to continue to play a leadership role in the Racial Diversity Collaborative (RDC). The RDC is comprised of nonprofit leaders within the Baltimore-Washington region who work to support and expand the number of leaders of color in significant nonprofit leadership positions throughout the region. The Board of Maryland Nonprofits is committed to pursuing, promoting and supporting diversity, inclusiveness and equity, in their own operations as well as a value that they encourage within the sector and Maryland communities.

Maryland Nonprofits is governed by 17-member board of directors and has approximately 22 staff members. The headquarters is in Baltimore with a second office in Silver Spring. The organization’s current budget is approximately $2.5 million. The Baltimore office was relocated in January 2012, to a beautifully renovated space in the Union Mill building, which houses a number of nonprofit organizations.

The Position

The incoming executive will succeed Darryl Jones, who resigned in February for health reasons. The board has appointed an interim CEO who will guide the organization until Darryl’s successor is on board.

The organization is midway through its current strategic plan (2010-2015), and has made substantial progress toward key objectives. While Maryland’s economy and state budget situation are in a stronger position than many other states, there are ample challenges on the horizon ripe for attention and action. The board envisions hiring a leader with a broad understanding of the sector, who will be a champion and catalyst, drawing nonprofits together around their commonalities and drawing them to Maryland Nonprofits as members and allies.

Toward these ends, its near-term priorities for the next 12-18 months include:

• Establishing a firm understanding of Maryland Nonprofits’ strengths, opportunities and future direction, and fostering a strong working relationship with members, staff, board, and key stakeholders; and developing a highly visible and respected leadership profile within the nonprofit community in Maryland.
• Understanding and embracing the current strategic plan and ensuring clarity of the vision, and assessing current programs, activities, structure and staffing; establishing key priorities with the board and ensuring alignment with strategic plan and priorities.
• Solidifying, expanding and diversifying the organization’s financial base.
• Strengthening the organization’s capacity, addressing systems issues and expanding staff teamwork and synergy across programs.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the board of directors, the President/CEO will provide leadership to the organization and manage its day-to-day affairs.

• Provide visionary, strategic leadership to the organization and translate that vision into specific strategies and concrete actions that advance the mission; be accountable for the achievement of the organization’s objectives.
• Champion Maryland Nonprofits’ mission; serve as the chief spokesperson for the organization, the need for and benefit of collective action, and the value of membership.
• Build strong relationships with staff and board and cultivate their talents to advance the organization's capacity.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Maryland Nonprofits’ members as well as other strategically important organizations and individuals; ensure high rates of member retention and recruitment.
• Provide leadership and vision to Maryland Nonprofits’ services, programs and advocacy efforts.
• Advance the organization’s financial sustainability by providing leadership to the fundraising activities, membership, and earned income streams as well as other resource development efforts.
• Oversee the internal operations, finances and programs; ensure that Maryland Nonprofits is a well-managed, fiscally-sound organization that serves as a model for the sector.
• Provide leadership to promote diversity and racial equity, within the organization and throughout the sector.
• Ensure the vitality of the Standards for Excellence program, within Maryland and throughout our partner organizations; expand its adoption in other states.
• Support the board of directors in its governance role, foster its ongoing development, and partner with it to achieve the vision and goals.

Experience and Attributes

Ideal candidates for this position will share our commitment to Maryland Nonprofits’ mission and will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to the role, including:

• Commitment to the vibrancy and diversity of the nonprofit sector; a broad understanding of the sector and its roles and challenges.
• Appetite for assuming leadership positions at the forefront of emerging issues and catalyzing broad and effective responses.
• Visionary and innovative style – capable of helping Maryland Nonprofits and the sector both define and respond to the future.
• At least ten years of substantive leadership experience with at least five years in a senior position with a nonprofit organization.
• Strong business sense and financial acumen.
• Successful track record in fundraising or other resource development; must be comfortable making “the ask.”
• Consummate relationship builder; preferably with a track record of building communities, movements or campaigns.
• Demonstrated track record in recruiting and retaining teams that are diverse and inclusive, and understanding of and commitment to racial equity.
• Experience building systems and teams.
• Exceptional public speaking and solid writing skills.

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

To apply, e-mail cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: MN@transitionguides.com (e-mail applications are required). For other inquiries contact:

Ginna Goodenow
TransitionGuides, Inc.
1751 Elton Rd, Suite 204
Silver Spring, MD 20903
Phone: (301) 439-6635

Maryland Nonprofits is an affirmative action employer. Applications from women and persons of color are encouraged. Resume reviews begin immediately.