Executive Director, Winter Growth, Inc.

Winter Growth, Inc.Executive DirectorLocation: Columbia, MDFull time, in-personCompensation: $120K - $160KAbout Winter GrowthStarted in 1979, Winter Growth is an adult day program, memory care, assisted living, and respite care program rooted in independence, dignity, and life satisfaction. The unique, community-based, nonprofit model for seniors and adults with disabilities has been known as the place where friendships grow, care is extraordinary, and days are filled with engaging activities, exercise, laughter, and friends.Winter Growth has two locations: Columbia, MD and Olney, MD, each offering an intimate setting that feels like home and that provides several community-centered benefits, including:Services that are responsive to individual preferences, needs, and valuesA deeper opportunity for social connections and closer relationships with staff and others because residents see the same people every dayEncouragement of independent mobility resulting from a one-story layout intentionally designed to be accessible for all to navigateLow staff-to-resident ratios, allowing nursing team members to spend more time caring for each individualEasily control the spread of viruses and other illnesses while also helping residents stay stronger longerMeals are provided and prepared onsite and served in a manner reminiscent of gathering around a family tableWinter Growth has an annual operating budget of $5M, a staff of 80, and nearly 100 volunteers spread across two centers, caring for up to 47 overnight residents and up to 131 adult day program participants. The organization also enjoys support and engagement from a deeply committed Board of Directors who are long-time residents of Montgomery and Howard Counties and long-time supporters of Winter Growth.For more information, please visit the Executive Director roleWinter Growth seeks an Executive Director to continue the successful impact and reputation of compassionate and genuine care for residents, staff, families, the Board, and key community partners. The ideal candidate has a deep passion for serving seniors, a strong sense of connection, and experience with adult residential and day care. They are a strong leader of mission, and people and bring a record of modeling a collaborative, kind, and respectful culture. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee six direct reports, including:Montgomery County Center DirectorHoward County Center DirectorHR DirectorDevelopment DirectorFacility DirectorFinance DirectorThe Executive Director will collaborate with this team to oversee the strategy, operations, programs, and two properties.Winter Growth is valued and deeply respected by families and residents due to the long history of outstanding care and the intimate family feel of the centers. The next Executive Director will bring experience fostering a similar environment while simultaneously leading and managing operations to ensure the business side of the organization is as effective and efficient as possible.This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to build on a solid foundation of success and continue to deepen and broaden the impact for which Winter Growth is so well known. The new leader will be deeply familiar with residential assisted care facilities and adult day care programs. They will empower and amplify the Winter Growth staff and Board, ultimately impacting the health and well-being of their residents, families, and the Montgomery and Howard County communities.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategy and LeadershipLead Winter Growth’s strategic direction, collaborating with the Board, staff, and key partners to design, implement, and track goals aligned with the vision, mission, and strategic planDevelop and maintain a trusting, transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors and ensure open communication about the success and challenges of financial, programmatic, and operational performanceEnsure ongoing organizational excellence, performance evaluation, and consistent finance, administrative, fundraising, communications, and other organizational systemsDevelop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and build positive relationships with the community to deepen Winter Growth's impact.Programs and Resident CareThrough planning, implementation, and evaluation, ensure that Winter Growth's programs and services align with the organization's mission and vision.Ensure all programs are high-quality, that they are compliant with industry rules and regulations, and that they have an impact on residentsIn collaboration with Center Directors and program staff, design, develop, and expand new and existing programs to meet the changing needs of the community.Ensure all families are engaged, receive timely updates and communications about their loved ones, and are informed on Winter Growth services and special eventsOversee processes to ensure Winter Growth is meeting/exceeding the expectations of familiesTeam Leadership and CultureFoster a collaborative and kind culture of genuine teamwork and common purpose among all Winter Growth staffModel and animate Winter Growth values, centering respect, compassion, development, and celebration within and among Winter Growth staff, Board, residents, families, and partnersBuild a sense of togetherness and belonging with the teamEngage, empower, inspire, and hold staff accountable for fulfilling their responsibilitiesStrengthen internal communication and foster collaboration across departments and tenures to cultivate strong, trusting working relationshipsIdentify, hire, and support high-quality Winter Growth staff, ensuring ongoing professionaldevelopment opportunities, fostering high staff engagement and retentionOperational and Financial ManagementDevelop a keen understanding of the rules and regulations of the adult day program and assisted living and ensure Winter Growth is in complianceEnsure creation, adherence to, and maintenance of organizational policies and procedures to facilitate effective workflow, decision-making, and communication protocols across the organizationOversee the finance function, ensuring transparent financial reporting and accurate cash flowDevelop relationships with community partners, potential donors, and County officials by sharing impact storiesCommunications and External RelationsServe as the key external voice of Winter Growth in the community, building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, champions, and donorsProactively seek out partner organizations, leaders in the community, county and state government officials, and steward and manage relationships on behalf of Winter GrowthDevelop and implement an internal communications plan to ensure Winter Growth staff receive the necessary information and are well informed on internal and external developments that affect their workQualificationsThe Winter Growth Search Committee recognizes that not every candidate will bring every element of knowledge, skills, and experience listed below and welcomes candidates with various experiences and backgrounds.Demonstrated unwavering passion and commitment to the mission of Winter GrowthPrior experience in long-term adult care, senior adult day program, or residential and/or long-term care highly preferredProven executive leadership experience with a track record of effectively building, empowering, supporting, and inspiring a diverse staff to meet and exceed organizational goalsPossess strong, clear, and transparent communication skills, capable of engaging, connecting, and inspiring various stakeholders, including staff, clients, families, and community partnersProactive problem-solving skills, who can bridge the gap between strategy and operational execution, who brings experience navigating the complex and evolving healthcare landscapeExperience overseeing essential executive functions, including strategy development, financial management, meeting critical deadlines, operations, and programs, aligning with the organization’s goalsDemonstrated keen business acumen and a proven record of managing complex policies and procedures while consistently maintaining an ethos of collaboration, trust, cooperation, and careAbility to thrive both internally by fostering strong relationships with staff and strategy and externally with community partners and organizational championsDisplays an interest and curiosity in understanding the Montgomery and Howard County communities if new to the areaCompensation and BenefitsThe salary range is $120,000 - $160,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Winter Growth offers generous benefits and a dynamic environment.How to ApplyWinter Growth has retained the LeaderFit executive search firm to lead this search.Applicants will be asked to submit a cover letter and resume here via the LeaderFit application portal.Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.At LeaderFit, all candidate materials are reviewed by experienced humans—never by AI. We believe that evaluating leadership potential, lived experience, and alignment with mission and culture requires human judgment, insight, and care. We leverage AI in other ways to ensure efficiency, optimized research, and allowing LeaderFit staff to focus on what humans do best, which is connecting, engaging, and building community.Winter Growth, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-06