Executive Director
Columbia Housing Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is established to promote racial and ethnic integration and diversity in Columbia, Maryland through housing advisory services, community outreach and advocacy, and educational programming.
The Board of Directors is searching for a new Executive Director to provide leadership, vision, and direction to support the growth and development of Columbia Housing Center. The Executive Director leads the organization’s programs, services, and outreach and ensures smooth and efficient operations. This person also represents Columbia Housing Center to the public, leads organizational development and strategic planning, and builds partner relationships, with a budget of $500,000.00.
The Executive Director will lead initiatives around community development, residential real estate growth, stakeholder partnerships (commercial, government, civic), government relations, and board development - all designed to achieve meaningful, measurable, and systematic improvement to attract and retain people to live in Columbia! The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors and serves as a non-voting member of the Board and ensures that the organization is run with integrity and transparency.
In the first 12-24 months, the Executive Director's primary focus will be on fundraising diversification, strategic partnerships, visibility, and advocacy, while ensuring strong operational oversight of a small staff and core programs. We are looking for an entrepreneurially-minded candidate who can thrive in a "start-up" environment and grow the mission and outreach of Columbia Housing Center.
If you are a dynamic, entrepreneurial, strategic, and forward-thinking leader with a passion for living in Columbia, we invite you to keep reading to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Successful candidates for the position will need to demonstrate the following:
- Experience and ability to forge strategic partnerships with city agencies, anchor institutions, community stakeholders, neighborhood leaders around our key program areas.
- Ability to articulate the vision for Columbia Housing Center and create strategies to achieve this vision.
- Superb communication skills.
- Personal commitment to a collaborative and team approach to work.
- Innovative approaches to Columbia Housing Center's mission and programs, with financial sustainability in mind.
- Commitment to building programs and a sustainable business model to benefit the residential real estate growth of Columbia, Maryland.
- Distinguished and appropriate credentials and experience in nonprofit management, economic development, housing opportunities, and community development.
Does this sound like you? Please keep reading and apply today!
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following areas:
Marketing, Community, and Public Relations:
- Serves as the chief spokesperson for Columbia Housing Center and represents Columbia Housing Center at relevant events and meetings.
- Leads the marketing strategies and implementation to promote Columbia Housing Center programming to stakeholders/partners.
- Develops innovative partnerships and projects that support the mission.
- Assures that Columbia Housing Center and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presenting a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders, including leaders in our network, government, business, civic groups, the community, and the media.
Fundraising and Grant Management:
- Oversees fundraising including sponsorships, partnerships, grants, special events, and corporate/foundation investment.
- Develops new and diverse sources of revenue to support program management.
- Creates a comprehensive sponsorship program including annual and long-term development plans, in consultation with the Board of Directors.
Advocacy and Government Relations:
- Represents the organization to elected officials and advocates for mission-aligned programs and priorities.
- Collaborates with state and local governmental, community, educational, and nonprofit organizations on areas of mutual interest.
- Works closely with and meets elected officials and others to advance residential growth in Columbia and Howard County, Maryland.
- Meets and deals with the public in a tactful and diplomatic manner, provides transparency, communicates effectively, and objectively evaluates problems and recommends appropriate action.
- Acts as liaison to partner organizations.
Board Leadership and Support:
- Convenes Board and Executive Committee, and develops draft agendas and briefing materials for members.
- In cooperation with the Board, ensures effective financial management, reporting, and compliance of the organization, and prepares and oversees the annual budget.
- Engages with current board members and recruits additional board members, in compliance with board by-laws.
- Guides strategic planning with the Board, staff, and stakeholders and oversees effective design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and initiatives.
Operations:
- Plans, organizes, and directs programs that carry out the organization's mission and goals.
- Provides day-to-day management of current programs and staff.
- Maintains appropriate staff structure; oversees recruiting, training, development, mentorship, and evaluation of team members; creates and maintains a working environment that fosters collaboration.
- Leads and motivates a small staff and provides them with the tools and resources necessary to successfully operate Columbia Housing Center.
- Maintains business systems to ensure effective and efficient operation of the organization.
Program & Event Management:
- Manages Columbia Housing Center programs and initiatives to engage residents and prospective residents for Columbia, Maryland.
- Ensures sound program management and recommends improvements.
- Plans the development and implementation of community events.
- Coordinates activities with and directs vendors, contractors, and consultants to assure performance under their agreements in compliance with budget and operational considerations.
Financial, Tax, and Risk Management:
- Creates and recommends yearly budget for board approval, and manages organization's resources within those budget guidelines according to laws and regulations.
- Ensures the overall financial vitality of the organization.
- Ensures data reporting and statistics are prepared for partner institutions as required.
- Oversees and authorizes all expenditures within the limits of the approved budget.
- Informs the Board periodically of the organization's financial position.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in non-profit management or related field OR equivalent in work experience.
- 8-10+ years of nonprofit leadership experience.
- Experience working in community development, economic development, public relations/strategic marketing, and/or residential real estate development is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated aptitude for building and cultivating solid relationships with key stakeholders, and the ability to engage and work effectively with diverse groups of people, city agencies, and partner organizations.
- Excellent leadership, relationship-building, team-building, and public speaking skills.
- Demonstrated grant writing, fundraising, marketing, and advocacy skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of Columbia, housing and workforce development trends, challenges, and opportunities.
- Understanding of Columbia's legislative landscape surrounding economic development and real estate growth is highly desirable.
Compensation:
The anticipated salary range for this position is $95,000.00-$105,000.00, commensurate with experience. Columbia Housing Center offers a competitive benefits package.
About Columbia Housing Center:
The Columbia Housing Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is established to promote racial and ethnic integration and diversity in Columbia, Maryland through housing advisory services, community outreach and advocacy, and educational programming.
TO APPLY:
The Board of Directors will begin a confidential review of applications immediately and will continue its work until an appointment of an Executive Director is made (with a desired start date of July 13, 2026). For full consideration, applicants must submit the following:
- Letter of interest: Please address how you can lead Columbia Housing Center as Executive Director in achieving its mission and strategic initiatives. This letter must be included in your candidacy materials to be considered.
- Professional Resume, reflecting qualifications for this position.
Please click “APPLY” to submit this information. For additional information about Columbia Housing Center, please consult Columbia Housing Center.
Columbia Housing Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
