Director, The Hope Center

The Hope Center, a community service ministry of Seneca Creek Community Church, seeks a dynamic and compassionate Director to lead its mission of serving our neighbors in Gaithersburg, Maryland. As a partnership of public and private organizations, the Center works with faith communities, civic groups, public schools, and government agencies to provide essential needs, empowerment through learning, and enriching relationships to promote human flourishing. Our vision is to create a city where everyone thrives, and our core values—collaboration, the dignity of all people, relationships, and community engagement—guide everything we do.

The Hope Center Director is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the Center’s programs in alignment with the organization’s vision and values. This role involves managing program staff and ensuring compliance with grant contracts while collaborating to create and implement community services. The Director will also oversee fundraising efforts, maintain relationships with partners, and coordinate services that meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved residents.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement & Partnerships:

o Engage partners to coordinate services and develop strategies to meet community needs at the Hope Center

o Build and nurture partnerships with businesses, civic organizations, social service agencies, faith communities, and government entities.

o Collaborate with staff and partners to develop new programs and initiatives to improve the well-being and stability of participants.

o Actively participate in relevant community meetings, such as Montgomery County Food Council and service consolidation hub meetings.

Staff and Volunteer Management:

o Manage and develop a program and support staff of 4-5 direct reports

o Collaborate and lead staff to develop and implement a robust volunteer engagement program, including recruiting and retaining volunteers from diverse community sectors.

o Ensure volunteers are appropriately screened, trained, and regularly appreciated.

o Work with church staff to recruit and engage volunteers from within the church community.

Client Services & Casework Collaboration:

o Refer clients to contracted caseworkers as appropriate, identifying and addressing their needs.

o Collaborate with caseworkers to measure and report the outcomes of services provided

Fundraising & Resource Development:

o Manage the center's operational budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and meeting funder requirements.

o Assist with developing and executing an annual fundraising plan aligned with the organization’s strategic goals.

o Cultivate and steward individual donors, businesses, and foundations through effective communication and engagement.

o Plan and coordinate annual giving campaigns, fundraising events, and donor appreciation activities.

Program Compliance & Management:

o Ensure all programs meet grant contract objectives, critical metrics, and compliance requirements.

o Ensure food program adherence to state and local sanitary regulations and FDA Food Code Standards.

o Implement and oversee standard operating procedures for operational continuity, including contingency plans for emergencies, holidays, or staff absences.

o Ensure programs disseminate information about other available community services (SNAP, rental assistance, healthcare, job assistance programs, etc.).

Professional Development & Representation:

o Pursue ongoing professional development through workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities.

o Represent the organization at community events and meetings to build relationships and raise awareness.

o Maintain relationships with existing partners and actively seek to cultivate new partnerships to enhance services and resources.

Administration & Reporting:

o Ensure critical data is gathered for reporting on program outcomes, including food distributions, volunteer hours, client services, and other key metrics.

o Assist with coordinating special events such as holiday gift and basket distributions, donor and volunteer appreciation events, and other community-building activities.

o Maintain outreach materials and develop communications to promote the Community Hope Center’s services and needs.

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree required (ideally in management, social work, community development, business administration, public health, or related field)
• Experience managing employees and volunteers
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience in grant management, budgeting, or fundraising.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse community members and volunteers.
• Ability to organize and delegate assignments to accomplish results through others
• Creative problem solver, able to make quick decisions to solve problems when necessary
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A bilingual English / Spanish Speaker is required
• Physical ability to perform heavy lifting, standing for long periods, and significant amounts of walking
• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends for community events as needed.