JOB TITLE:  Executive Director

ORGANIZATION:  Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM)

REPORTS TO:  President, Board of Directors

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt

LEVEL OF WORK:  Senior Management

APPLY: Send resume to info@leadershipsomd.org

CLOSING DATE: May 1

BACKGROUND

Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent leadership development program designed to inspire and educate both emerging and executive leaders in Southern Maryland. The Executive Program aims to broaden the knowledge base of mid- to senior-level public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the region. The Emerging Leaders Program provides a series “experiences,” to facilitate, foster, and refine individual leadership understanding and abilities via structured course curriculum focused on self-discovery, teamwork, and networking. Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The Executive Director works in partnership with the Board of Directors to set strategic direction and leads the staff to implement the organization’s strategic priorities in accordance with the organizations mission, vision, and desired impact.  The Executive Director will promote the organization, maintain, and enhance important relationships and develop new relationships and opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

While the responsibilities may be varied, the following are core/major responsibilities of the Executive Director:

• Is the face and spokesperson for Leadership Southern Maryland across all sectors of the region – nonprofit, corporate, and government.
• Promotes, maintains, and expands effective relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community partners.  Develops trusting relationships and works collaboratively across all sectors to advance the priorities of LSM.
• Provides strong financial leadership and assists in building the financial health of the organization.
• Assists the Development Chair in creating and developing a fundraising plan that is aligned with the organization’s strategic direction.
• Assists the Development Chair by provides customer relationship management of primary and existing program sponsors.
• Maintains existing programs while evaluating each program’s efficacy and impact.  Based on the evaluation’s outcome, recommends any necessary programmatic changes to maximize impact while considering volunteer and staffing capabilities.
• Assists the Alumni Subcommittee Chair in seeking new opportunities to engage alumni in a meaningful way that leads to continued engagement with LSM as well as positively impacts the region.
• Leads and manages staff and promotes teamwork.
• Provides leadership and support to the Board of Directors and its committees as well as reporting to the Board of Directors on the overall health of the organization. 
• Promotes competency, quality, customer service, and the highest ethical standards throughout the organization.

Specific duties of the Executive Director are described in detail below, organized into the functional categories of:

• Governance
• Programming
• Fiscal Responsibility and Resource Development
• Recruitment and Selection
• Alumni and Association Members
• Management, Administration and Leadership
• Marketing and Public Relations

Governance

Maintain open and ongoing communication with the Board of Directors and committees so they have sufficient information and insight to make policy decisions and monitor the organization’s health and performance.

Involve Board and committee members in meaningful ways, including planning and sponsoring activities.

Serve and provide support as a member of each working committee, as needed.

Support the planning and execution of the Executive Program. The Emerging Leaders Program is planned and executed internally. The ED will provide the following support:

Maintain compelling, high-level leadership programming and activities, including detailed logistics, using external support where required. Update and adapt the program to the most current issues/topics in Southern Maryland, in conjunction with the Programs Chair and relevant Lead Advocates for each program session.

Facilitate a safe environment for each participant to engage fully and to grow personally, professionally, and as a group. Maintain awareness of trends, thought leaders, decision makers, and programs representing the depth and breadth of the region to incorporate into the curriculum.

Assist program advocates and internal staff as needed to secure exceptional presenters and speakers.

Obtain and utilize program evaluation feedback from class members to assess, improve, and fine-tune the program.

Interact with program committee members, community leaders, local leadership program directors, and the LSM facilitators to stay current regarding leadership needs, issues, challenges and opportunities in the State and its regions.

Oversee the staff of Leadership Southern Maryland in carrying out other recurring activities needed to successfully administer Programs, such as:

Securing bus services and other sources of transportation for each class as needed for programming.

Securing appropriate venues for meeting space, site visits and other logistics to support the class.

Securing and developing relationships with caterers to provide meals for each program as needed

The Board of Directors has fiduciary responsibility for the organization.  The Executive Director will facilitate this by maintaining fiscal and budgetary accountability.

Endeavor to meet the financial goals as detailed in each year’s financial plan.  Provide strong financial leadership and build upon/improve the financial health of the organization.

In conjunction with LSM’s CPA and Treasurer, prepare the annual budget and present it to the Executive and Finance Committees for review and approval recommendation before submitting to the full Board of Directors for final approval.

In conjunction with LSM’s CPA and Treasurer, prepare the annual tax return and present it to the Executive and Finance Committees for review and approval recommendation before submitting to the full Board of Directors for final approval.

Ensure effective and efficient cash management/cash flow, including tuition, event fees, annual membership renewals, etc.

Competitively solicit vendors for equipment, IT needs, etc. and ensure payments are remitted in a timely fashion.

In conjunction with the Executive and Finance Committees, establish policies and procedures related to investments, scholarship funds, and the LSM Legacy Fund (all Board approved).

Seek to secure new sources of funding and resources to support the organization and its goals, and to assure access to the program by applicants seeking financial assistance, depending upon the financial resources available.

Ensure effective use of volunteer and in-kind contributions (i.e. printing, event-planning and venues, sponsorships, catering, etc.)

Engage and encourage LSM membership and local leadership program executives to assist in the recruitment of accomplished leaders to apply through peer-to-peer and one-on-one engagement.

Outreach — Seek sponsors for recruitment events, such as informational breakfasts or other types of events (Rotary, Chamber events, local leadership closing retreats, etc.), and make presentations to encourage potential applicants.

Build prospect database to receive application packets the first week in March.

Participate in all applicant interviews.

Prepare selection documents to assist Recruitment Committee in final selection for each class, to ensure that each class comprises appropriate professional, gender, ethnic, regional and age diversity.

Sensitively handle communications with applicants who are selected and those not selected.

Alumni and Association Members: It’s all about Sustainability and Engagement

Provide management and oversight in the planning and implementation of member events.

Actively assist members in obtaining volunteer leadership positions where their interests lie, and/or assist nonprofit organizations (led by members) in their search for informed volunteers.

Involve members as presenters, facilitators and/or moderators.

Continually reach out to members on an ongoing basis through various communications tools.

Ensure all policies and programs are carefully developed, monitored and evaluated.

In coordination with the board secretary and committee chairs, prepare materials, including meeting notices, agendas and minutes for the Board of Directors and committees.

Attend and support all activities of the Board of Directors whenever possible.  When attendance is not possible, ensure someone who will attend is designated as responsible and is prepared to conduct the activity.

Attend and support the activities of the working committees as needed.

Staff: Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate and terminate employees as required.

Attend worthwhile education/training and networking opportunities related to leadership development and/or recruitment as time and budget permit.

In coordination with the program committee, program advocates , and internal staff, plan and execute each leadership session for the nine-month Executive Leadership Program and the six-month Emerging Leaders Program. Oversee and advise on the development of member events.

In coordination with staff and the Communication and Outreach Committee, plan, coordinate, update and manage communications and marketing materials, including print, e-newsletters, annual yearbook/directory, etc.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The Executive Director is provided with an office at Holly I in California, Maryland.  Most day-to-day administrative work may be accomplished here.  However, tasks may be completed at any location that the ED deems suitable.

The ED will be capable of lifting (with help for bulky items and items over 40 pounds) and transporting program support materials from the office or storage facilities to and from the program locations.

The ED will be expected to travel several times every month to the various program venues throughout Calvert, Charles and St Mary’s counties.  The ED will be physically capable of traveling and providing his/her own transportation to and from the various venues.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

The Executive Director must possess –

• Strong leadership development values and a solid understanding of the transformative impact leadership programs can have on an individual’s personal and professional well-being.  Experience leading and/or participating in a leadership program a plus.
• A charismatic leader and authentic and enthusiastic networker who embraces the opportunity to be the external face of the organization.
• Demonstrated experience raising funds from multiple sources, particularly corporate, individual, and/or earned income sources.
• Experience working in a politically, economically, and culturally dynamic region.
• A solid track record of successfully working across multiple sectors (nonprofit, corporate, and government).
• Ability to effectively communicate in a diverse environment across lines of culture, profession, gender, etc.
• A collaborative/facilitative style with ability to use processes and tools to maximize the collective intelligence of LSM’s Board of Directors, program graduates, and staff.
• An understanding of image building, marketing, and external relations.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and diplomacy.
• A solid track record of building inclusive programs or organizations.
• Strong staff management skills and demonstrated experience building teams.
• Connections to, and knowledge of, Southern Maryland’s region (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties) either through work or residence preferred, but not required.
• Association/Organization Management or similar degree.
• A minimum of 3 years senior executive leadership experience.

COMPENSATION

• Salary range: $80,000-$100,000
• Holidays
• Simple IRA 2% annual contribution
• Opportunity for annual bonus based on Board of Directors’ review