Chief Executive Officer

Interfaith Works

Status: Full-time, exempt employee

Salary: $190,000 to $200,000

Location: Rockville, MD

Reports to: Board of Directors 

Deadline: Apply by mid-March for best consideration. Resume reviews begin immediately.

About Interfaith Works

Interfaith Works (IW) is a trusted, mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping neighbors in need achieve greater stability. Founded in 1972 by local faith communities as a coordinating body for temporary shelter and meals, IW was built on the belief that collaborative, community-based action is essential for ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. While not a religious organization, IW remains grounded in its founding values of compassion, inclusion, respect, empowerment, and social justice.

IW serves more than 35,000 residents of Montgomery County, MD, each year through a comprehensive continuum of services addressing both immediate crises and long-term stability. Its work spans four core program areas: emergency shelters and drop-in services; supportive and permanent housing; essential needs, such as food, clothing, and resource navigation; and vocational services that promote employment readiness. IW manages the Emergency Assistance Coalition, a countywide network that strengthens coordination, advocacy, and delivery of safety-net services. These services are delivered using trauma-informed, client-centered, and dignity-affirming approaches. 

With an annual operating budget of approximately $16.5 million, a staff of nearly 200, and significant government contract revenue, IW is one of Montgomery County’s largest and most complex human services organizations. IW is widely regarded as a trusted partner by elected officials, government agencies, funders, faith communities, volunteers, and peer organizations. Learn more at https://www.iworksmc.org/. 

Leadership Opportunity

IW seeks a strategic, empathetic, and experienced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will steward IW’s mission, values, and resources while providing compassionate leadership across the organization. The CEO will bring a commitment to equity, dignity, and social justice, with strong experience working on issues, programs, and policies related to homelessness, housing, community development, workforce development, and economic mobility. The CEO supervises a seven-person leadership team, including a Chief of Staff, Director of Homeless Services, Director of Vocational Services, Director of Essential Needs, Director of Faith and Community Partnerships, Director of Finance, and Director of Development and Communications.

This is a pivotal moment for IW–demand for services remains high as residents face housing instability, rising costs of living, and ongoing economic uncertainty. The next CEO will be charged with navigating this complexity while strengthening organizational systems, advancing financial sustainability, and continuing to elevate IW’s role in policy conversations that affect the communities it serves, while sustaining IW’s impact.

Serving as IW’s primary ambassador, the CEO will foster trusted relationships with staff, board members, government partners, funders, faith communities, and the broader public, while leading and supporting advocacy efforts that advance equitable housing, economic stability, and supportive services across Montgomery County–reinforcing IW’s role as a respected and reliable partner for neighbors in need.

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 

• Provide steady, solutions-oriented leadership during times of change, balancing innovation with operational discipline.
• Serve as head of staff and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Lead and support a high-performing leadership team, ensuring clear roles, accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Develop, implement, and refine a strategic plan that responds to community needs, aligns with IW’s values, and positions the organization for long-term sustainability.
• Maintain transparent, timely, and productive communication with the Board.
• Support the Board’s engagement in strategy, fundraising, and building relationships.

External Relations, Advocacy, and Fundraising

• Serve as the public face of IW, engaging and building relationships with elected officials, government agencies, funders, faith communities, partner organizations, and the broader public to advance the organization’s mission.
• Serve as a leading advocate for policies and systems that promote housing stability, economic equity, and social justice in Montgomery County.
• Advance compelling and non-exploitative narratives that center the voices of those IW serves and elevate the organization’s impact.
• With the Development team and Board, advance annual and long-term donor stewardship plans that cultivate support from major donors, individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Steward and solicit major gifts.

Financial Stewardship and Operations

• Direct long-range financial analysis, review trends, and engage the Board in discussions about financial planning, including adequate operating reserves.
• Guide the budgeting process, monitor income and expenditures, integrate departmental leaders’ input into budgetary assumptions, support long-range budget planning and analysis, and ensure grant awards are administered following funders’ regulations. 
• Negotiate contracts with government agencies and agreements with funders.
• Ensure sound financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen internal systems, processes, and infrastructure to support effective service delivery and organizational growth.

Organizational Development

• Lead and support a high-performing leadership team, ensuring clear roles, accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Champion a culture of inclusion, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Strengthen internal systems and processes to support effective service delivery, team cohesion, and continuous learning.
• Enhance internal communications to promote transparency, alignment, and effective information sharing across all levels of the organization.
• Ensure IW maintains policies, procedures, and technology to facilitate effective workflow, decision-making, and communication across departments.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities 

Interfaith Works seeks a leader who brings a deep commitment to mission and a demonstrated ability to lead complex, community-centered organizations. While no single candidate will bring every qualification, the following experiences, skills, and qualities are priorities:

• 7+ years of senior executive experience in a nonprofit, public-sector, or similarly complex organization of comparable scale.
• Deep alignment with IW’s mission, values, and commitment to equity, dignity, and social justice, with an advanced understanding of issues, trends, and policies affecting homelessness, housing, community development, and economic mobility.
• Experience advancing an organizational culture that balances trauma-informed practices, accountability, strong internal communication, and change management.
• A significant supervisory record, including leading an executive team, coaching leaders, developing high-performing teams, and setting an inclusive, positive workplace culture.
• A strong track record of financial stewardship, including oversight of multi-million-dollar budgets and government-funded programs.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and resource development, including building relationships with public and private funders.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort serving as a visible, persuasive spokesperson to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing coalitions, as well as strategizing and securing support for new projects, partnerships, and funding relationships.
• Record of stewarding community relationships: aptitude and appetite for active participation in civic organizations. 
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a Board of Directors.

Compensation

The Board is targeting a salary range of $190,000-$200,000, commensurate with experience. IW offers a competitive benefits package, which includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan with employer contribution, and paid time off.

Location and Travel

IW is headquartered in Rockville, MD, with program sites throughout Montgomery County. The CEO role requires a regular on-site presence and active engagement across the community.

Application Process

The Board of Directors has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm for nonprofits. Interested applicants should submit a PDF resume and a cover letter describing their interest in and qualifications for this role. Upload materials to www.good-insight.org/careers. Direct confidential inquiries to Kate Dykgraaf, Director of Search at iworksmc@good-insight.org. 

For best consideration, apply by mid-March 2026. Qualified applicants will be contacted on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Interfaith Works is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.