Our Next Executive Director:
    Communities United seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial bridge-builder as Executive Director to be its organizational leader, spokesperson, and chief fundraiser positioning CU for its next phase of growth and impact. In hiring an Executive Director for the first time in nine years, CU is in a unique – development phase ripe with opportunities for organizational development and is in an extremely favorable environment for change and growth. The Executive Director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for staff, programs, expansion, and advancement of CU’s “Defund2Refund” campaign and will develop new strategic initiatives and relationships with like-minded Black-led, latinx and other ally organizations, government, labor unions, funders, and businesses committed to justice-centered initiatives in the areas of housing equity, harm reduction, youth organizing and family- centered education. The Executive Director will strengthen and expand: 
1) CU’s impact in Baltimore City’s low to moderate income communities of color as well as grow our statewide impact; 2) The “Defund2Refund” campaign which seeks to promote the adoption of a moral Baltimore City budget that prioritizes our residents through investments that help us thrive; 3) Our decriminalization and harm reduction policy work; and 4) Our current campaigns for equitable public school funding, parent & youth organizing, renters rights and housing justice.

An ideal candidate will be an experienced senior level manager and strategic thinker with a proven track record of building strong, engaged grassroots membership that builds power to win change. Strong candidates will demonstrate a long-standing commitment to racial, economic and social justice and the elevation of directly impacted and marginalized people in the fight to change policy and politics. We need someone who is ready to serve as a compelling mentor and trainer for CU organizers and members and at the same time is disciplined about meeting our collective organizational goals.
The Executive Director has responsibility for Communities United’s base constituencies which include tenants, public school parents, youth and people facing the often overlapping stigmas of drug use and incarceration. 
​
Responsibilities
Leadership & Management:

1. Ensure that organizational staff have the skills and tools to successfully design and implement campaigns that support the mission, vision, and direction of the organization.
2. Oversee all aspects of a smoothly-run operation, including human resources operations and administrative functions, facilities, technology, internal fiscal procedures, monthly programmatic and financial reporting, and day-to-day operations.
3. Lead, coach, develop, and retain a high-performance team of staff by supporting ongoing professional development, onboarding, and training.
4. Approve the development and implementation of campaign strategies. 
5. Support the organizing team in identifying and developing relationships with organizations and leaders who can become effective partners in campaigns. 
6. Develop and maintain effective systems, tools, and structures that provide strong clarity and accountability for organizers, members, leaders, and campaign implementation.
7. Implement clear metrics of success, track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components, to measure outcomes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other stakeholders.
8. Lead, develop, execute, evaluate, and implement a robust strategic plan founded on data-driven decisions that will sustain CU and is designed to execute geographic and programmatic expansion plans.
9. Establish annual goals and assist the organizing team in identifying and developing relationships with organizations and leaders who can become effective partners in campaigns.

Development/Financial Management:

1. Develop goals and long-range plans and use external presence to garner new opportunities, increase revenue generation, and diversify CU’s renewable revenue, fundraising activities, and funding streams while sustaining and growing effective and productive relationships with funders, government sponsors and supporters. 
2. Ensure the financial integrity of all CU programs and campaigns by developing and implementing the annual budget, securing funding, negotiating, reporting, and complying with all contracts, grants, agreements, applicable statutes and regulations. 
3. Sustain and manage a 6-figure organizational budget approved annually by the board and provide the board with monthly financial reports.

Policy and Program:

1. Advocate for and support the development of progressive and sound public policies that benefit and uplift African-American communities. 
2. Ensure organizers have all tools to successfully carry out their programmatic duties.
3. Work with and support staff to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen, continually refresh, and enrich Communities United’s programmatic goals.

Accountability & Board Relationship:

1. Engage and energize CU staff, board members, partner organizations, members and funders to define and fulfill their contributions to the mission; instill a strong sense of partnership and cohesion across the organization; use open channels of communication to reinforce a culture of excellence toward achieving the highest standards of practice.
2. Primary responsibility for planning the board meeting agendas, attends all meetings, participates in annual performance reviews, and serves as an accountability partner for annual Board fundraising. 
3. Support in the recruitment, orientation, and training of new board members. 

Human Resources:  

1. Conducts regular and timely performance reviews of all staff.      
2. Maintains position descriptions and/or employment contracts for all staff.    
3. Maintain secure personnel records, policy & procedure manual and ensure compliance with federal, state and local wage and labor regulations.
4. Assures timely and fair compensation and benefits and runs payroll for every 15th and last day of the month.

Community & Members:

1. Ensures CU has a robust membership program that situates members as leaders with stake in the organization.
2. In conjunction with staff and Board, oversee the creation and implementation of a membership expansion plan. 
3. Represents CU to the philanthropic community and community at-large. 

Reports to:
Communities United’s Board of Directors

Qualifications:
Work experience:
3-5 years of experience working on community or labor organizing campaigns, including experience directly supervising and training staff and volunteer leaders. Must also have experience with issues organizing in communities of color – preferably in  Black communities in Baltimore. Experience developing and overseeing issue campaigns driven by community organizing including campaign planning, accountability, and tracking progress.
2+ years of senior/executive non-profit or private sector management experience. Ability to effectively collaborate and build coalitions with diverse groups. Excellence in organizational management with the ability to attract, manage, develop, and coach a high performing team; set and achieve strategic objectives; and work with the Board and members to scale the work. Experience developing and operationalizing strategies that take an organization to the next stage of growth. Strong fundraising and public relations experience and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures. Past success working with a Board or steering committee with the ability to cultivate existing member relationships. Experience in fund raising through grants and individual donor development. Action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
Skills:
Required Exceptional supervision and coaching skills, including managing staff. Knowledge of community organizing, political education, and movement building. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write and implement training curriculum and organizing tools. Ability to partner and collaborate with the existing organizing team. Ability to work well in a fast paced environment and multitask without sacrificing quality. Reliable, consistent, trustworthy, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Preferred Fluency in EveryAction, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, VAN, and project management tool. 
Cultural Competencies:
Shares our commitment to integrating racial justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture. Commitment to leadership development in communities most impacted by the injustices we confront. Flexibility, self-awareness, humility, emotional intelligence, and ability to bring creative ideas and a fresh perspective to an evolving organizing program. Experience with Baltimore communities preferred. Strong commitment to a collaborative work style with Board, staff, and other key stakeholders. Highly comfortable in diverse social environments. 
Conditions:
Ability to work hours exceeding stated office hours to get the job done; ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends when necessary. This position is based in Baltimore.
Compensation:
This is a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with both work & community experience ranging between $80,000 - $95,000 annually and includes fully paid health benefits.

To Apply:
​Send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “CU Executive Director” in the subject line.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace.