Executive Director, Shepherd's Table (Silver Spring)

Shepherd’s Table seeks an accomplished leader with a proven track record in team leadership, mentorship, and cultivating a collaborative, supportive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will also be able to navigate the complex environment of social services, create strategic partnerships, and mobilize resources to meet the needs and challenges necessary to execute Shepherd’s Table’s mission. Prior experience with homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity is valued strongly.

Description

About Shepherd’s Table

Shepherd’s Table aims to improve quality of life, create a pathway towards self-sufficiency, and inspire hope for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity. Since its founding in 1983, Shepherd’s Table’sDaily Meals program has served hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner to anyone in need, without missing a single day. In 2024, Shepherd’s Table served a staggering 168,900 meals. In addition to meals, Shepherd’s Table offers critical wraparound services, including:

• Beyond the Table , which provides contracted meals to communities beyond those who visit Progress Place;
• Culinary Skills Training Program , which provides career pathways in the food service industry and reduces barriers to employment by providing community members facing barriers to employment with life and work skills, kitchen skills, passage of the ServSafe exam, and a path to pursue a career in the food service industry;
• Clothing closet , which offers gently used adult clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories;
• Resource center , which provides information and referrals to support services, personal mail and telephone use, toiletries and blankets, prescription assistance, crisis intervention, and bilingual services;
• Eye clinic , which provides free vision testing, glaucoma screening, and prescription eyeglass service for patients without vision insurance; and
• Advocacy Program, which provides advocacy on issues relevant to Shepherd’s Table’s clients.

Shepherd’s Table has an annual operating budget of $4M, a passionate and dedicated staff of 33, and is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD, providing support to the most vulnerable communities in Montgomery County and the DMV region.

Position Summary
Shepherd’s Table seeks a collaborative, transparent, and mission-driven leader to drive the organization’s next chapter of impact. The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of Shepherd’s Table, responsible for advancing its mission to meet the basic needs of individuals experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. This role provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight across all programs and departments. Reporting directly to an engaged Board of Directors, the Executive Director works in close collaboration with internal teams and key external collaborators to maintain organizational sustainability and grow impact in alignment with community needs.

The ED leads a senior management team of five directors and oversees all administrative and programmatic functions, including implementing Shepherd’s Table’s longstanding commitment to providing fresh, hot meals 365 days a year, without exception. The ED will play a key role in strengthening partnerships with local government officials and partner organizations, growing private philanthropic support, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and mission-driven environment for staff, clients, and volunteers.

The ideal candidate thrives in an empathetic, human-centered environment with a deep sense of mission, where staff are working directly with individuals experiencing food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness. They are a visionary servant leader who understands the local community. They will bring significant executive and leadership experience, the ability to serve as an advocate on issues related to Shepherd’s Table’s clients, and a demonstrated ability to raise funds and generate support for the organization’s work.

Additionally, they will have a record of cultivating strategic partnerships and authentic, trust-based relationships with diverse clients, partners, and sponsors, including individuals experiencing food insecurity and homelessness, local and state government officials, community leaders, funders, donors, and other community partners. This is a unique opportunity to work with and lead a talented staff, grow the organization, and ensure continued impact in Montgomery County and across the Washington, DC region.

Shepherd’s Table seeks an accomplished leader with a proven track record in team leadership, mentorship, and cultivating a collaborative, supportive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will also be able to navigate the complex environment of social services, create strategic partnerships, and mobilize resources to meet the needs and challenges necessary to execute Shepherd’s Table’s mission. Prior experience with homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity is valued strongly.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Champion Shepherd’s Table’s mission, values, and equity-focused approach across all programs and relationships;
• Lead Shepherd’s Table’s strategic direction, collaborating with the Board and staff to design, operationalize, and track goals aligned with the organizational vision, mission, and strategic plan;
• Cultivate a culture of inclusion, respect, and collaboration among staff, volunteers, and clients;
• Oversee the development and implementation of internal systems, policies, and processes to promote operational efficiency, compliance, and organizational transparency;
• Serve as the key liaison with Montgomery County government and other external partners;
• Develop and implement strategic plans in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff.

Team and Internal Organizational Management

• Provide inspirational, supportive, and empowering leadership for a diverse, committed, and high-performing team, investing in the staff’s continued leadership development and empowering them to serve as effective advocates;
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for professional development for staff members and growth in staffing structures;
• Facilitate collaboration across the organization and seek opportunities to strengthen internal communications and cultivate strong, trusting working relationships at the staff and Board levels.

External Relations and Partner Management

• Build and maintain productive relationships and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to maintain and expand Shepherd’s Table’s network and impact;
• Serve as an inspirational and persuasive advocate and thought leader for the organization and its programs, sharing Shepherd’s Table’s vision, attracting new supporters and partners, and advancing its strategic priorities;
• Develop, strengthen, and sustain strategic partnerships with nonprofit partners and local government officials in Montgomery County and neighboring jurisdictions to advance organizational priorities, secure funding, influence policy, and ensure alignment with regional policy initiatives and community needs;
• Promote diverse public representation of Shepherd’s Table, mentoring and developing the capacity of staff and others to serve as effective spokespeople for the organization.

Fundraising, Development, and Financial Oversight

• Oversee sound and transparent fiscal management in partnership with the Finance Committee and external accountants;
• In partnership with the Board of Directors, steward existing funder relationships and implement expanded funding strategies that generate new revenue from diverse sources, including foundations, individual donors, corporate sponsorships, government agencies, and other revenue streams;
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to leverage their networks and support fundraising efforts, including participation in donor meetings and events;
• Proactively secure creative and innovative funding opportunities to meet specific needs and budgetary constraints.
• Set and manage financial priorities budgets, and financial projections to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that meets the needs of clients, staff, and programs within the organization’s financial resources;
• Facilitate the launch and scale of strategic programming, including Beyond the Table, determining appropriate cost and pricing models to support operations and generate additional funds to be added to reserves or reinvested into the Shepherd’s Table mission.

Board Development

• Develop and maintain a trusting, transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication about decision-making and organizational health;
• Partner with the Board chair to help ensure the Board functions effectively and responsibly.Support Board development and recruitment of new members who reflect community diversity.

Qualifications

Strong candidates for this role will bring a diverse set of experiences, skills, abilities, and leadership qualities. We are focused on a holistic view of potential candidates and actively seek interest from leaders with a wide range of professional and lived experiences. We are looking for a leader who has:

• Passion for and demonstrated commitment to Shepherd’s Table’s mission and values;
• Minimum of ten years of nonprofit senior leadership experience with a strong track record of building, leading, inspiring, and retaining high-performing teams t