Pearlstone Executive Director

Adamah; Reisterstown (MD); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearlstone Campus for Living Judaism seeks anExecutive Director to lead the organization with a focus on building an inspired team, advancing Adamah’s mission, and representing Pearlstone in key public moments. The role reports to Adamah CEO and shapes hospitality, education, and community engagement.

The position emphasizes financial sustainability, strategic partnerships, and donor storytelling across retreats, camps, and events, with a strong emphasis on nature, learning, and Jewish life.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years in senior leadership, including 5+ years managing department heads and multi-million dollar budgets.
• Experience with boards, donors, funders, and institutional partners.
• Experience navigating Jewish nonprofit landscape (Baltimore/Associated preferred).
• Strong written and verbal communication and staff accountability.
• Preferred experience in retreat centers, hospitality, camps, or land-based operations.
• Basic Jewish literacy and passion for Adamah's mission.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, retain, and develop Pearlstone talent with clear goals, planning, and communication.
• Build a culture of professionalism, warmth, and shared purpose.
• Ensure financial sustainability through hospitality business development and expanded philanthropy.
• Manage KPIs and crisis management and emergency response planning.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including donor storytelling and campaign support.
• Cultivate major donor relationships alongside the board and Adamah CEO.

Skills

Senior leadership

Budget management

Fundraising

Donor relations

Board relations

Change management

People management

Communication skills

Job description

Leadership Profile

Executive Director, Pearlstone Campus for Living Judaism

About Pearlstone and Adamah

The Pearlstone Campus for Living Judaism engages over 15,000 people each year through overnight retreats, kosher farm-to-table food, Jewish environmental education, camps, holiday celebrations, regenerative agriculture, land restoration, amphitheater events, and more. The 180-acre campus is located near the heart of Jewish Baltimore and BWI airport. Pearlstone’s $7M annual budget and nearly 100 staff serve as the largest impact platform for Adamah and as an agency of The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. The organization is a living laboratory for dynamic Jewish life, working with Adamah—the leading Jewish environmental organization in North America—to create vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth.

Core Values

• Community & Belonging
• Joy, Love, & Hope
• Jewish Wisdom
• Nature Connection
• Youth Empowerment
• Collective Action
• Peoplehood & Planethood

Position Overview

This role balances three interconnected responsibilities:
1. Build a vibrant, inspired team and culture.
2. Advance Adamah’s mission and values through immersive experiences.
3. Represent Pearlstone in key public‑facing moments.

Reports to

Jakir Manela, Adamah CEO

Compensation

Salary: $170,000 per year, exempt with benefits

Key Success Metrics

• Build and lead a high‑performing staff team with strong hospitality and programming success.
• Strengthen financial sustainability through increased sales and philanthropic support.
• Complete over $3M of fully funded facility projects as part of the campus master plan.
• Enhance board impact through better recruitment, engagement, inspiration, and empowerment.
• Develop deeper strategic partnerships with the Associated and other Baltimore organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Leadership & Accountability

• Recruit, retain, and develop strong talent for the Pearlstone team; provide clear goals, planning, and communication.
• Build a culture of professionalism, warmth, and shared purpose.
• Ensure financial sustainability through hospitality business development and expanded philanthropy.
• Manage KPIs and operational reporting; own crisis management and emergency response planning.
• Serve as lead staff to the Pearlstone Board, working closely with the chair and all members.
• Build and strengthen relationships with The Associated and the broader Baltimore Jewish community.
• Act as Pearlstone’s ambassador with Jewish organizations, schools, camps, and funders.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including solicitation, campaign support, and donor storytelling.
• Personally cultivate and steward major donor relationships alongside the board and Adamah CEO.

Hospitality Operations

• Supervise Sales, Guest Services, Food Service, and Facilities.
• Ensure strong guest communication, staffing, scheduling, and post‑event follow‑up systems.
• Drive continuous improvement based on guest feedback and satisfaction data.
• Lead integration of the new amphitheater into operations, revenue strategy, and community engagement.

Financial Sustainability & Business Strategy

• Build and manage Pearlstone’s annual operating and capital budget.
• Drive growth in retreats, rentals, programs, camps, and other revenue streams.
• Prioritize marketing, pricing, occupancy, and staffing.
• Lead new business development and spark organizational partnerships.
• Reinforce mission–money synergy, reinforcing impact, guest experience, earned revenue, and philanthropy.

Campus Master Plan & Facilities

• Ensure facilities support guest experience, safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
• Lead execution of the campus master plan, maximizing the launch and impact of newly opened facilities.
• Plan construction and integration of the next round of fully funded projects.
• Collaborate with Adamah leadership, the board, and the Associated to pursue future master plan priorities and fundraising opportunities.

Jewish Environmental Education & Land Stewardship

• Maximize nature connection, Jewish education, and farm & land stewardship.
• Ensure outstanding programming in retreats, camps, farm‑based and wilderness education, and holiday programs in alignment with Adamah’s mission and values.
• Collaborate with the Adamah network for follow‑up and ongoing engagement.

Qualifications

• Basic Jewish literacy and a passion for Adamah’s mission.
• 8–10+ years in senior leadership, including 5+ years managing department heads and multi‑million dollar budgets.
• Track record of change management, growing earned revenue, and successful fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to build organizational culture, staff accountability, and communication systems.
• Experience working with boards, lay leaders, donors, funders, and institutional partners.
• Experience navigating the Jewish nonprofit landscape (familiarity with Baltimore or The Associated preferred).
• Strong work ethic, professional demeanor, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred experience in retreat centers, hospitality, camps, or complex, land‑based operations.

Work Conditions

Primarily on‑site at Pearlstone with regular meetings in and around Baltimore. Monday‑Friday schedule with periodic evening and weekend work. An exempt position with a 90‑day check‑in and annual performance evaluations. This job description is not exhaustive; duties may be modified as business needs require or to accommodate individuals with disabilities.