Executive Director

Executive Director

Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center (MCRC)

About MCRC

Founded in 1993 by Howard County human rights and peace activist Jean W. Toomer, the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center of Howard County (MCRC) has served as a trusted community resource for more than three decades. After many years of affiliation with Howard Community College, MCRC became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2017 and is now based in Columbia, Maryland.

MCRC promotes and encourages a peaceful community by providing accessible mediation, restorative practices, conflict coaching, facilitation, conflict resolution training, youth-focused services, anger-management programming, reentry support, and related services. Many programs are provided at little or no cost. MCRC’s work is strengthened by approximately 50 trained volunteers and longstanding partnerships with schools, courts, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups.

Executive Director Position Overview

MCRC seeks a collaborative, community-centered, and hands-on Executive Director to lead the organization’s next phase of service and sustainability. The Executive Director provides strategic, operational, financial, programmatic, and relational leadership and serves as the steward of MCRC’s mission, programs, partnerships, staff, volunteers, and resources. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director must balance long-term vision with active day-to-day management, strengthen MCRC’s financial position and internal systems, cultivate staff and volunteers, expand fundraising, and increase the Center’s visibility and impact throughout Howard County.

Near-Term Leadership Priorities

• Stabilize MCRC’s programs financially and operationally while maintaining service continuity, fulfilling grant and contract obligations, and strengthening revenue and budget management.
• Strengthen organizational systems, policies, procedures, technology, reporting, communication, and accountability.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Ensure organizational decisions support MCRC’s mission, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
• Strengthen organizational policies, procedures, systems, records, technology, and risk-management practices.
• Partner with the Board to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic goals.
• Support Board committees and provide timely financial, operational, program, and risk information.
  
  

Fund Development and Financial Stewardship

• Increase and diversify revenue through grants, contracts, donations, fundraising, earned income, and partnerships.
• Develop and manage the annual budget with the Board of Directors and provide accurate financial reports.
• Oversee financial controls, audits, payroll coordination, contracts, insurance, and required filings.
• Manage grant development, compliance, reporting, and donor and supporter stewardship.
  
  

Organizational and Operational Management

• Lead MCRC’s daily operations, programs, services, and organizational priorities.
• Supervise and develop staff, establish clear expectations, and promote accountability.
• Oversee the cultivation and management of the volunteer base.
• Maintain appropriate organizational records, contracts, insurance requirements, and administrative systems to support continuity,
• compliance, and sound operations.
  
  

Community Engagement and Public Representation

• Represent MCRC at community meetings, events, and public forums.
• Maintain and build relationships with schools, courts, government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, funders, and community partners.
• Oversee MCRC’s mediation, restorative practices, conflict coaching, training, facilitation, youth services, and related programs.
• Support program development, evaluation, accessibility, and compliance with grant and contract requirements.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in management, nonprofit management, business or public administration, social sciences, or a related field; or equivalent in experience.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible nonprofit management experience and fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience of a nonprofit, community-based, government, or related organization.
• Experience recruiting, training, and engaging volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience and record of success with grant writing, grant management, fundraising, donor relations, and revenue development.
• Experience developing budgets, overseeing fiscal operations, and reporting financial information to a Board or governing body.
• Experience strengthening organizational systems, policies, procedures, records, technology, and administrative practices.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse communities and institutions.
• Experience working with volunteers and volunteers-based organizations.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mediation, restorative practices, and/or conflict resolution services.
• Howard County residency or established ties to Howard County and its community partners.
  
  

Benefits

This is a full-time, primarily on-site position in Columbia, Maryland, with some evening and weekend responsibilities. We hope to have the new Executive Director in place by October 1st. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Benefits include a healthcare subsidy, paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays. Complete benefit details will be provided during the selection process.

How To Apply

Learn more about MCRC and its programs at https://www.mcrchoward.org/. Submit a cover letter and resume to Kimberly Pfeifer, Board President, at mcrcboard@mcrchoward.org. Applications will be reviewed immediately and accepted until the position is filled. Finalists will be asked to provide at least three professional references.