Executive Director

Executive Director

SHABACH! Ministries, Inc. (SMI) is a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to developing dynamic communities through education, engagement, and empowerment. This community arm and non-profit 501(c)3 corporation of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, is developing dynamic communities by "educating, engaging and empowering." SMI serves individuals and families through impactful programs designed to strengthen communities and transform lives.

The Executive Director serves as the executive leader of SMI and is responsible for advancing the organization's mission, vision, faith-based values, and strategic priorities. The role provides oversight and leadership for daily operations, programs, finances, resource development, compliance, community engagement, and staff performance.

The Executive Director reports to and is accountable to the Board of Directors and carries fiduciary responsibility for the prudent stewardship, safeguarding, and authorized use of SMI's financial, physical, human, and reputational assets. The Executive Director is responsible for providing the Board with accurate, timely, and complete information needed for governance and oversight.

The Executive Director is not a member of the Board of Directors and does not have voting authority. The role implements Board-approved strategy and policy, operates within delegated authority, and promptly escalates matters requiring Board action.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all SMI programs, services, staff, facilities, partnerships, and administrative functions.
• Translate Board-approved priorities into annual goals, operating plans, measurable outcomes, budgets, staffing plans, and performance expectations.
• Establish and maintain clear reporting structures, decision rights, internal controls, policies, procedures, and service standards across SMI and its programs.
• Evaluate organizational growth, challenges, capacity, and current and future needs; use assessments, including SWOT or other third-party analyses, to recommend improvements.
• Ensure continuity of essential operations, vendor and contractor performance, records, business processes, and institutional knowledge.
• Serve as the primary executive liaison to the Board of Directors and maintain a transparent, responsive, and professional working relationship with the Board Chair and Board committees.
• Prepare Board agendas, executive reports, financial and program updates, dashboards, presentations, and supporting materials in advance of regular/recurring and special Board meetings.
• Attend Board and committee meetings as requested in a non-voting executive capacity; document and execute Board directives, decisions, and approved policies.
• Provide timely notice of material financial, legal, compliance, operational, personnel, safety, or reputational risks and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Exercise delegated authority consistent with the bylaws, Board policies, approved budget, contractual requirements, and applicable law.
• Lead strategic planning and periodic organizational assessments in collaboration with the Board, leadership team, program staff, and relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs, including SHABACH! Emergency Resource Center (SERC) and other community-focused initiatives.
• Set program operating standards, performance measures, reporting expectations, and quality-assurance processes; use data to evaluate impact and guide resource decisions.
• Identify opportunities to expand, redesign, partner, or evaluate programs based on mission alignment, community need, funding, capacity, and performance.
• Maintain an annual calendar of major program activities, Board deliverables, grant requirements, partner commitments, audits, renewals, and public events.
• Develop, administer, and monitor a multi-million-dollar annual budget and multi-year financial outlook in partnership with finance staff and the Board.
• Review financial statements, cash flow, restricted funds, grant spending, budget variances, and organizational liabilities; implement timely corrective action when needed.
• Maintain appropriate controls over payroll authorization, expenditures, procurement, contracts, banking, and financial approvals within delegated authority.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, records, reconciliations, audit readiness, and timely completion of annual audits, tax filings, and other required financial reviews.
• Support the Board's fiduciary oversight by clearly communicating financial performance, risks, assumptions, funding restrictions, and sustainability needs.
• Lead and support fundraising strategy in partnership with the Board, fundraising committees, staff, volunteers, and affiliated entities.
• Develop and maintain a diversified funding pipeline that may include government grants, foundations, corporations, churches, individual donors, events, and collaborative partnerships.
• Oversee grant research, proposal development, budgets, submissions, awards, compliance, reporting, renewals, and closeout activities.
• Cultivate and steward funders, donors, sponsors, and community partners; ensure commitments and reporting obligations are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Identify sustainable funding opportunities for current and future programs and assess the financial and operational implications of new initiatives before commitment.
• Serve as a principal public representative and spokesperson for SMI with First Baptist Church of Glenarden, pastors, community members, government officials, funders, partner organizations, and the media, as authorized.
• Build trusted relationships with public and private partners, including organizations such as United Way and the Capital Area Food Bank, and ensure required partner reporting and participation standards are met.
• Represent SMI at community meetings, church meetings, coalitions, trainings, special events, public forums, and other daytime or evening engagements.
• Maintain appropriate accessibility to community members seeking information, support, referrals, or organizational resources, while establishing effective intake and follow-up practices.
• Coordinate stakeholder communications, recognition, condolences, volunteer appreciation, introductions, and community-resource referrals consistent with SMI's mission and protocols.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual, licensing, grant, insurance, employment, tax, regulatory, and program-specific requirements.
• Maintain SMI's Maryland registrations, licenses, tax-exempt status, annual good-standing requirements, and required local, state, and federal filings.
• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage, including workers' compensation and relevant property, liability, and program coverage, and coordinate claims and renewals as needed.
• Ensure compliance with audit and reporting requirements connected to funding and partner participation, including United Way, the Capital Area Food Bank, government agencies, and other funders.
• Maintain an enterprise risk and compliance calendar; monitor findings, corrective actions, incidents, renewals, and reporting deadlines through completion.
• Coordinate with legal counsel, auditors, insurance professionals, HR advisors, finance partners, and other subject-matter experts when specialized guidance is required.
• Lead, coach, supervise, and evaluate program leaders and administrative staff; establish clear goals, accountability, communication, and professional-development expectations.
• Ensure staffing structures, job descriptions, workloads, succession considerations, and reporting relationships support effective service delivery.
• Partner with HR support to implement lawful and consistent employment policies, compensation practices, performance management, employee relations, training, and organizational changes.
• Provide appropriate advance planning and communication for significant policy, staffing, or operational changes and ensure approved changes are documented and implemented consistently.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, inclusion, accountability, confidentiality, and servant leadership.
• Lead or participate in recurring Board, department-head, program, church, community, funder, and partner meetings; ensure follow-up actions are assigned and completed.
• Prepare executive communications, reports, presentations, policies, procedures, talking points, and organizational updates for internal and external audiences.
• Maintain a visible executive presence across SMI programs and facilities and remain accessible to staff, volunteers, partners, and community stakeholders within established protocols.
• Work a flexible executive schedule that may include evening, weekend, worship-service, community-event, or emergency responsibilities as organizational needs require.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or human services environment
• Master's degree in business, public administration, human services, or a related field preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven executive leadership and strategic planning experience
• Strong financial management and budget oversight skills
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and build strong relationships
• Experience with fundraising, grants, and community partnerships preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general technology tools

Additional Requirements

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