Executive Director

The Role

The ED coordinates the Joy Grows team and leads the organization toward its shared vision. This is a collaborative leadership role — not a top-down one. The ED organizes a broad network of staff, volunteers, board members, and partners, and works closely with the Program Director and Board Chair on financial and strategic decisions.

What You'll Do

• Board and Network Development
• Develop a working board where each member owns a real function.
• Activate volunteers and community collaborators and connect people to purposeful roles.
• Planning and Scheduling
• Own the organizational schedule two months ahead.
• Keep programming, farm operations, and community events running smoothly.
• Team Coordination
• Set clear expectations, recognize strengths, and hold the team accountable with care.
• Partner Outreach and Communication
• Foster collaboration with city partners, nonprofits, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Be a clear and trustworthy point of contact for everyone connected to Joy Grows.
• Fundraising
• Lead grants, individual giving, sponsorships, and the annual appeal.
• Build funder relationships and make asks.
• Financial Oversight
• Oversee budgeting and accounting with the bookkeeper and CPA.
• Ensure compliance with grant reporting, 990 filings, and IRS requirements.
• Administrative Infrastructure
• Manage Salesforce CRM and organizational data.
• Stay current with nonprofit tools and emerging technology.
• Media and Brand
• Oversee social media, outreach materials, and brand consistency.
• Delegate media creation to volunteers and collaborators.
• Organizational Accountability
• Be the go-to person for issues or concerns.
• Maintain honest communication across the organization.

Who You Are

• Thoughtful — you listen before you act.
• Collaborative — you build with people, not for them.
• Inclusive — you make space for everyone in the room.
• Dedicated — people can count on you.
• Ambitious — you see this role as an opportunity to grow.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver on objectives
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Experience in a nonprofit, community organization, or mission-driven setting
• Comfort with financial documents — budgets, cash flow, income statements
• Fundraising or relationship management experience

• Connections in the Annapolis Community
• Senior leadership or management experience
• Background in community development, urban agriculture, food systems, or youth programming
• Grant writing and reporting experience
• Spanish language skills
• Familiarity with Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, or the Maryland nonprofit landscape

Compensation

Starting salary $55,000–75,000, commensurate with experience, with growth tied to organizational milestones.