Executive Director

ProFound; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) in Maryland is seeking an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership and manage statewide programs, advocacy, fundraising, and partnerships. Reporting to the Board, the ED will align operations with AUSOM's mission and ensure sustainable growth across Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel counties.

The successful candidate will advance governance, financial stewardship, and program impact, while building strong collaborations with families,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with a Board of Directors
• Proven success in fundraising, grant development, and revenue diversification
• Experience building strategic relationships with government agencies, external partners, funders, donors, vendors, and other key stakeholders
• Experience leading, managing, and developing staff and teams
• Demonstrated commitment to advocacy with and for the autism and developmental disability communities

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, collaborative leadership and set strategic priorities.
• Oversee budgeting, financial stewardship, and reporting to the Board.
• Develop and implement fundraising and development strategies.
• Build strategic partnerships with organizations, government agencies, and donors across Maryland.
• Ensure programs are aligned with mission and evaluated for impact.
• Hire, supervise, and develop staff and contractors; manage HR and contracts.

Skills

Executive leadership

Board governance collaboration

Fundraising & development

Advocacy

Staff development

Job description

ProFound Executive Search is serving as an external search partner to the Autism Society of Maryland in its search for its Executive Director. This position reports to the Board of Directors, Board President.

About the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM)

The Autism Society of Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is an affiliate of the Autism Society of America. The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Its vision is to create a world where everyone in the autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it.

For more than 30 years, the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM), formerly the Howard County Autism Society, has supported autistic individuals and families. In response to growing community needs, AUSOM expanded its reach and rebranded in 2023. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, AUSOM now serves Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel counties and surrounding areas. AUSOM is recognized for delivering high-quality, responsive services. Through sustained advocacy, the organization has strengthened local systems of support, including contributing to Howard County’s reputation for strong educational services that attract relocating families. In 2025, AUSOM served more than 18,000 individuals through 1,800 responses to resource requests; 3,100+ hours of resource navigation and special education support; 300 outreach, fitness, social, and support events serving

16,000 attendees; and 18 educational webinars and professional trainings.

Position Summary

The Executive Director provides visionary, strategic, and collaborative leadership on behalf of the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM), supporting its mission to serve individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their communities by providing information, support, and advocacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads organizational strategy, operations, financial stewardship, fundraising, community partnerships, and staff leadership while ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs and services. These include information and resource navigation, statewide advocacy, employment and housing initiatives, support groups, educational consultation and programming, and community events that empower autistic individuals and their families across the lifespan. The Executive Director will build upon AUSOM's foundation as a trusted statewide resource by strengthening organizational capacity, expanding strategic partnerships, diversifying revenue, and leading the organization through its next phase of sustainable growth and impact.

Since its founding in 1993 as the Howard County Autism Society, the organization has earned a reputation as a trusted resource across the state. In 2023, the organization expanded its reach beyond Howard County, rebranding itself as the Autism Society of Maryland, serving Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel Counties. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to honor the organization's rich history as an affiliate of the Autism Society of America, while shaping its future and continuing to expand its statewide impact.

Columbia, located within Howard County in central Maryland, is recognized for its highly rated public schools, abundant parks and outdoor recreation, vibrant arts and cultural attractions, and access to exceptional healthcare and higher education. The county is situated between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., providing convenient access to two major metropolitan regions.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven leadership that fosters organizational excellence and positions the Autism Society of Maryland for its next stage of impact.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to establish strategic priorities and ensure organizational strategies, operations, and resources are aligned with AUSOM's mission, strategic plan, and long-term objectives.
• Guide organizational growth while ensuring expansion aligns with community needs, organizational capacity, and long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with the Board to strengthen governance, committee effectiveness, and board engagement while maintaining clear distinctions between governance and management responsibilities.
• Collaborate with Board leadership to develop governance practices that emphasize mission focus, organizational performance, financial sustainability, and program impact.
• Provide financial oversight, ensuring the organization's long-term fiscal health and sustainability.
• Develop and oversee the annual operating budget in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Monitor financial performance, cash flow, and organizational resources.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting, including but not limited to completion of the annual Form 990, annual financial review or audit, and other tax, grant, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide financial transparency and regular reporting to the Board to support effective governance and oversight.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive fundraising and development strategy that advances AUSOM's strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Strengthen and diversify the organization's revenue portfolio through individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, federal and state grants, foundation support, sponsorships, and special events.
• Assess revenue sources, funding restrictions, and organizational capacity to strengthen long-term sustainability and expand staff engagement in development activities and grant stewardship.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy and support Board engagement in fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Lead grant strategy, proposal development, submission, and reporting to secure and steward public and private funding.
• Evaluate fundraising initiatives using performance metrics and return-on-investment analysis to maximize revenue, impact, and organizational sustainability.

Relationship Development

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with individuals with autism, families, disability organizations, educators, employers, government agencies, businesses, and community leaders throughout Maryland, especially Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel Counties.
• Lead statewide advocacy efforts, public policy initiatives, and partnerships that improve services, supports, and opportunities for individuals with autism.
• Promote collaboration that increases access to services, public safety, employment, housing, education, and community inclusion.

Organizational and Program Management

• Provide executive oversight for the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of AUSOM's programs and services.
• Ensure programs are responsive to community needs and aligned with the organization's mission.
• Use data, participant feedback, and measurable outcomes to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
• Ensure organizational growth is supported by appropriate staffing, operational infrastructure, and sustainable resource allocation.
• Establish operational procedures, technology solutions, and performance measures that improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Build a scalable and sustainable operational infrastructure by implementing standard operating procedures, documenting institutional knowledge, and strengthening business continuity and succession planning.

Administrative

• Provide executive leadership for the day-to-day operations of the organization.
• Hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff (including employees, contractors, and consultants) while fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace.
• Oversee human resources, risk management, contracts, vendor relationships, and regulatory compliance.
• Execute Board-authorized contracts, including but not limited to purchase agreements, rental agreements, grant agreements, and MOUs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, affiliation requirements, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Support Board meetings by preparing reports, recommendations, and information that facilitate informed governance decisions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience partnering with a Board of Directors
• Proven success in fundraising, grant development, and revenue diversification
• Experience building strategic relationships with government agencies, external partners, funders, donors, vendors, and other key stakeholders
• Experience leading, managing, and developing staff and teams
• Demonstrated commitment to advocacy with and for the autism and developmental disability communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a $1M+ budget
• Nonprofit, human services, disability services, and/or special education experience
• Experience navigating legislative and regulatory environments

Salary range: $90,000 - $110,000