The Shelter Alliance • P.O. Box 2 • Chestertown, MD 21620

The Search for an Executive Director

The Shelter Alliance (SA), formed in Fall 2024 as a fund within the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, is seeking a full-time Executive Director.

There is perhaps no greater disparity in our community than between those who are residing in safe, clean, and comfortable housing and those who find themselves homeless or unhoused – some of whom are visible on our streets, others of whom are living out of their cars or in unhabitable structures.  Recognizing this challenge is not restricted to the 'cold weather' months, SA is committed to finding and operating a 24/7, 365-days-per-year shelter, coupled with related programming to move clients along a continuum of dependency toward self-sufficiency.  In the interim, SA provides temporary, emergency housing to the homeless and unhoused at local hotels.

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and be responsible for achieving the organization’s overall mission.  The Executive Director will work closely with the SA Board of Directors and Board Committees to ensure that any shelter operation is functioning in an efficient and safe manner to meet the needs of the community and the SA constituency.

The duties of the Executive Director include, but are not limited, to the following:

Program Management

  • Call and facilitate regular Board and staff/volunteer meetings.

  • Coordinate all details of any shelter operation, ensuring safe operations and overseeing any other staff, volunteers, and admittance of guests, as well as facility maintenance.

  • Implement program policies and ensure adherence to program rules by guests.

  • Work with Volunteer Coordinator to create, post, and disseminate a monthly schedule.

  • Ensure all equipment and supplies are available to the shelter facilities.

  • Ensure shelter(s) are kept clean and in good repair—check mechanical equipment regularly, and direct staff or contractors in repair and maintenance thereof.

  • Serve as a point of contact for persons seeking emergency shelter.

  • Work with the Kent County Department of Social Services on pre-screening potential guests, conducting interviews and background checks, and admission of each new guest.

  • Assist with goal setting and achievement by guests.

  • Oversee compilation of accurate and detailed statistics about persons inquiring about shelter and those who are admitted.  

Resource Management

  • Prepare the annual budget for presentation and approval by the Board of Directors.

  • Manage financial resources according to approved budget.

  • Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure adequate funding for shelter operations through grant writing, direct mail solicitation, and events.

  • Receive and transmit all donations to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) and work closely with the MSCF staff to ensure proper financial records are kept.

  • Request payment from MSCF for invoices to ensure vendors are paid in a timely manner.

Community Outreach and Coalition Building

  • Act as principal spokesperson and advocate for SA and actively seek opportunities for advancing community understanding of the SA mission.

  • Identify and cultivate new volunteer partners with Volunteer Coordinator.

  • Represent SA in business relationships with other nonprofits or government agencies, media, and professional organizations.

  • Identify community resources to advance the SA mission.

  • Utilizing the Board of Directors, identify and engage coalition partners to enhance impact of the SA mission.

Policy Development

  • Direct, develop, review, maintain, and regularly evaluate operational policies and recommend changes to Board of Directors.

Personnel Management

  • Determine appropriate levels of paid staff and volunteers.

  • Recruit and engage staff and volunteers.

  • Provide staff and volunteer training and development.   

Qualifications

  • Commitment to the mission of the SA: Understanding the issues of the Homeless and unhoused and strategies for moving them from dependency to self-sufficiency.

  • Experience in the operation of a shelter for the unhoused strongly desired.

  • Proficiency in non-profit management and fundraising.

  • Familiarity with Board management and development.

  • Skill in short-term, intermediate, and long-term planning and goal setting.

  • Ability to work with diverse populations and to build relationships/alliances.

  • Proficiency in MS Office, databases and other computer applications.

  • BA/BS in business administration, human resources, social services or relevant field will be appreciated, but not required.

This is a full-time, twelve-month position. Customary work hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. While some remote work might be authorized, it is intended that the Executive Director will work out of an office space in Chestertown, Maryland.

A completed application will consist of a cover letter in which the candidate speaks to the duties and qualifications outlined in the job announcement, as well as to the candidate’s relevant experience as it relates to this opportunity; a resume; and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for three professional references. No references will be contacted without prior authorization of the candidate. Applications should be submitted as one or more PDFs to: theshelteralliance.org@theshelteralliance.org. Questions may be directed to Joe Holt at the same email address.

For best consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit their credentials before April 18, 2025.

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The Shelter Alliance, Inc. is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to which donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.