Executive Director, Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL)

Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL)

Executive Director

Compensation band: $150,000- $170,000

Location: Hybrid role with office in Rockville, Maryland

ABOUT MCAEL

Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) is the coordinating entity that supports over 60 adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs, more than 1,300 instructors and staff, and approximately 17,000 adult learners. MCAEL’s mission is to strengthen and build adult English language learning programs and instruction to further individual and family success at work, school, and in the community.

As the hub of English language learning in Montgomery County, Maryland, MCAEL maintains and grows a complex system that meets many types of learners and program needs and provides a range of educational opportunities to the over 139,000 adults in our community who identify as limited in their English proficiency. As such, MCAEL is a coordinator of services, training, planning, and analysis to bring its 30,000-foot view of the adult ESOL landscape to the coalition to provide funding, data analysis, strategic planning, and coordination for a robust system of adult English classes in the county. Together, the coalition works to strengthen the community by helping adults gain the English skills that can make it easier to communicate as parents, on the job, and in the community.

Over the past 18 years, MCAEL has tripled in size due to the continued generous commitment and financial support of the Montgomery County government. For 2024-25, MCAEL provided $1,465,853 in capacity-building grant funding to 24 organizations for 29 programs, large and small, that provide adult ESOL classes. In addition, MCAEL is actively pursuing the expansion of services to communities where adult ESOL learning opportunities are scarce and where there are increased barriers to participation.

For more information, please visit www.mcael.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Partnering with a deeply committed Board of Directors, MCAEL’s Executive Director will serve as a visionary and strategic leader focused on ensuring the organization’s sustainability and deepening its impact. Responsible for the ongoing development and execution of MCAEL’s strategic plan as well as oversight of its programs, operations, and coalition partnerships, the Executive Director will lead a $2M budget and a staff of 9 to support and strengthen adult ESOL programs to deliver quality services to adults seeking English language learning opportunities in Montgomery County. The Executive Director will also serve as the primary face of the organization and will devote significant time and effort to building and deepening community and coalition partnerships and funding relationships with the County government and beyond.

This is a unique opportunity for a highly compassionate, collaborative, and strategic leader to support adult ESOL programs across Montgomery County. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated executive and leadership abilities, a deep passion for making high-quality, culturally responsive programs accessible, the demonstrated ability to advocate for issues related to MCAEL’s constituents, and the ability to raise funds and generate support for MCAEL’s work. Additionally, they will be a committed team leader and a proven developer of strategic partnerships who is comfortable speaking with diverse stakeholders, including adult English language learners, community leaders, funders, elected officials, media, and other partners. The Executive Director will have an unwavering commitment to advancing racial equity, ensuring these principles are reflected in the organization’s strategy, lived values, and culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Effectively allocate resources in accordance with MCAEL’s equity-focused strategic plan and lead and prepare internal stakeholders for the organization’s next strategic planning process.
• Oversee and support the Director of Programs and Programs Manager in the implementation of MCAEL’s learner-centered and culturally responsive programming in partnership with coalition partners, MCAEL Advisory Group members, and Learner Leadership Group members.
• Advise the Board of Directors on programs and activities, finances, and operations, among other things, to support the Board in active leadership and decision-making regarding strategy, policy, and fiscal oversight.
• Cultivate and engage the Board as volunteers, providing staff support to the chair and committee/task force chairs as needed in carrying out their individual and collective roles and preparing for monthly Board and committee meetings.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the fields of ESOL, literacy, and adult education (including ESOL curriculum and program development, learner assessment, and literacy coalitions), as well as workforce development and immigrant integration.

Community Leadership and Advocacy

• Promote MCAEL's visibility by serving as its primary spokesperson and representing the organization with various constituencies, including ESOL program providers, government, businesses, educational institutions, and philanthropy.
• Cultivate and meaningfully engage stakeholders in advocacy to advance MCAEL’s mission and goals at county, state, and national levels.
• Represent MCAEL at public budget hearings, bi-annual reports to the county council, and other meetings.
• In collaboration with the Programs team, establish and maintain collaborative and communicative relationships with community groups and organizations to ensure the needs and voices of those directly impacted are reflected in MCAEL’s advocacy efforts and programmatic activities.
• In partnership with the Director of Communications and Digital Communications Strategist, plan, review, and present reports, including the annual report, to the Board, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Identify and act on opportunities to write or speak on issues on which MCAEL is an expert or leads work.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Lead staff in building upon a culture of collaboration, connectedness, and community impact.
• Create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect where common goals and challenges can be met and where flexibility around staff needs is honored.
• Work with the Leadership Team to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, capable staff and manage performance with clear feedback and goals.
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for professional development for staff members and growth in staffing structures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to human resources and general operations by engaging with professionals as appropriate.

Financial and Administrative Management

• In collaboration with the Manager of Administration and Grants, oversee all aspects of operational planning to ensure MCAEL is equipped to meet goals.
• Steward finances in collaboration with staff and the Board’s finance committee; oversee the budgeting processes and ensure transparent financial reporting and cash flow.
• Work with key contacts within the county (Office of Management and Budget and County Executive) to ensure the annual budget proposal is submitted in a timely fashion, as required by the contract renewal process.
• Manage MCAEL’s resources prudently and according to the organization’s budget guidelines, current laws, and regulations.
• Maintain official records, documents, and internal/external communications as appropriate and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

Fundraising and Sustainability

• Cultivate and maintain authentic relationships with funders, particularly the largest funder, the county government.
• Working with the Grant Writer and programs staff, proactively identify and successfully secure new and long-term funds from additional diverse sources, including individuals, businesses, and private foundations.
• Work with staff to develop a fundraising strategy, including but not limited to grant proposals, major annual events, regular presentations and events, employee campaigns, annual fund and Board campaigns, donor cultivation and recognition, corporate sponsorship programs, and social media.
• Help plan and participate in the adult Spelling Bee, MCAEL’s primary fundraising event.

QUALIFICATIONS

MCAEL’s Search Committee recognizes that not every candidate will bring all of the skills, knowledge, and experiences listed below and welcomes candidates with a variety of experiences.

• Passion for and a demonstrated commitment to MCAEL’s mission, preferably with knowledge of and experience with organizations supporting adult education or immigrants’ rights.
• Minimum of ten years of nonprofit leadership experience with a strong track record of building, leading, inspiring, and retaining high-performing teams.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to work with and meaningfully engage diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with county government, and familiarity with different stakeholder communities in Montgomery County preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading, supporting, and investing in the professional development of a highly committed and talented team.
• Compassionate, empathetic, collaborative leadership style with a strengths-based approach to management, strong cultural competence, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with the unique needs and strengths of working within a coalition model is preferred.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation; comfortable and experienced in setting success metrics and tracking data over time.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development and management experience.
• Successful experience working in some capacity with a Board of Directors.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience working alongside historically marginalized communities and centering the voices of directly impacted community members.
• Candidates with lived experience as an English language learner or immigrant are highly encouraged to apply.
• Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend events.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The compensation range for this position is $150,000- $170,000 and includes a generous benefits package.

MCAEL is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing the leadership skills of people from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to identifying and recruiting a broad and diverse pool of qualified candidates for this position.