Executive Director Job Description

The application period for the Executive Director position is now closed and we are now in the process of reviewing applicants. If you applied for the position our hiring manager will be contacting you soon.

Executive Director Job Description

Who we are/Workplace Culture

Sufi Center East/ Farm of Peace  is a 501 (c) 3 religious non-profit spiritual retreat center, working farm, and spiritual community, built on relationships.  We are located in the rolling hills of south-central Pennsylvania, 2 hours from both Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD.  

We offer spiritual teaching and healing programs that are held in our environmentally friendly “green” retreat center.  We also run a 3-acre organic CSA garden that delivers to subscribers up to 2 hours away, care for a small flock of Tunis sheep, and a small community of on-site residents call this their home. Roles, responsibilities and relationships are often multi-layered because we are a mixture of staff, volunteers, neighbors, donors, peers, community members, and spiritual practitioners. 

The Farm of Peace is a drug- and alcohol-free property and consumption of drugs, alcohol, or pork is prohibited anywhere on the Farm of Peace property.

Tobacco use on site is discouraged (plant diseases can be passed from tobacco to our CSA crops).

We warmly invite you to learn more about us through www.farmofpeace.org.

What we are seeking

We seek a deeply committed Executive Director (ED) who values and nurtures relationships while understanding the importance of compassionate communication and servant leadership.

Ideally you are a seasoned professional who can strike a balance between developing and implementing a strategic plan in service of our mission and vision while nurturing the soul of the community.

We seek candidates with the capacity to foster harmonious relationships.  You can build enough trust to have your leadership respected. You will make it your business to learn when to consult and when to forge ahead.

You’ll be asked to evidence your experience in managing multiple stakeholders within a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and have a thorough understanding of how non-profit governance works and your role within such a structure.

Required Qualifications 

• 3+ years of experience as an ED, President, or Vice President at a non-profit
• 3+ years experience with human resource management and managing and supporting staff
• Substantial project management and/or event planning experience

Skills/experience that are a plus

• Serving a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-generational community
• Fundraising
• Experience managing retreat centers
• Experience in the hospitality industry
• Experience in regenerative farming, farm management, and/or sheep
• JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion. Collective liberation work in community
• Dialogue, conflict-resolution, and peace-building skills

Roles & Responsibilities

The ED is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sufi Center East/Farm of Peace. The ED reports to the Board of Directors, with the chief liaison being the Chair of the Board. The ED also works in coordination with the Spiritual Director.  The ED is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission as well as its financial stability. The ED also oversees the daily management of the organization.

In program development and administration, the ED will:

1. Ensure that the organization has a long-range strategic plan to achieve its mission, toward which it makes consistent and timely progress, with benchmarks set for specific points in time.
2. Provide leadership in developing programmatic, organizational and financial plans with the Board and staff, and implement plans and policies authorized by the Board.
3. Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization’s work.
4. Maintain official records and documents.  Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
5. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends as related to the running and operation of the various aspects of the organization.
6. Manages and supports all administrative functions. This includes administration and maintenance of the land and infrastructure.
7. Collaborates with related communities and organizations.
8. Oversees scheduling, preparation and coordination of events (either directly or via directing/supporting a Program Assistant or Manager).

In communications, the ED will:

1. See that the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it by providing monthly financial and administrative reports on a regular, agreed-upon schedule.
2. Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals.
3. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations.
4. Represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public.

In relations with staff, the ED will:

1. Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers. 
2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, regular performance evaluations are conducted, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
3. See that an effective management team, with appropriate provision for succession, is in place.
4. Be the primary manager of staff.
5. Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist staff in relating their specialized work to the strategic plan, goals, mission, and vision of the organization.
6. Create an inclusive, supportive, professional climate which attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality employees and volunteers.
7. Ensure that staff and volunteers are following all federal, state, and local laws; and following organizational policies as well as non-profit best management practices.

In budget and finance, the ED will:

1. Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and non-profit best management practices.
2. Work with the Board to develop and implement successful fundraising campaigns, donor engagement and donor stewardship.
3. Work with the staff, finance committee, and the Board in preparing a budget; see that the organization operates within the budget.
4. Provide and explore creative ideas for new methods of fundraising that FOP has not previously attempted.
5. Ensures financial viability and that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
6. Jointly conducts official correspondence of the organization with the Board Chair and secretary of the Board, and jointly, executes legal documents with designated officers.

Hours & Compensation

Full-time, on-site, salaried position. Some evenings and weekends required.

Compensation:  $60,000 – $85,000 per year,  commensurate with experience.

Housing stipend and/or moving expenses may be available for the right candidate.

Location

The Farm of Peace is located on 120+ acres in Warfordsburg, PA.

This position  requires on-site presence 5 days a week, with some evenings and weekends.

Applicants should live within a reasonable commuting distance to the property. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sufi Center East/ Farm of Peace is a religious non-profit and an equal opportunity employer. We will consider applicants for this position without regard to any category protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religious affiliation, age, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status or uniformed service member status.

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How to Apply

Applications are being accepted and held for review until 12 pm EST on Monday, November 29th. 

To apply, please submit the following materials to jobs@farmofpeace.org :

• A statement of why you would like this job
• A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• A current resume
• Be prepared to provide letters of support or recommendations from the following (1) a mentor/mentee; (2) a former supervisor; (3) a former employee with their contact information.

This email box will not be monitored regularly until the application period has closed,  but we invite you to submit any further credentials or questions.  We will respond no later than November 29th.

We thank you for your interest!