Chief Executive Officer - Urban Ministries of Durham

Armstrong Mc Guire • Durham, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) seeks a strategic and innovative Chief Executive Officer to guide the organization’s next chapter. The CEO will strengthen financial sustainability, deepen cross-sector partnerships, and advance UMD’s leadership in Durham’s response to homelessness. UMD connects with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter, and a future to neighbors in need, guided by the values of respect, accountability, and collaboration.

UMD provides a 24/7 emergency shelter, a community café serving three meals a day, a food pantry, a clothing closet, essential services, case management, and workforce development. The organization is also piloting Hope Day Center, which provides wellness and hygiene resources for people who cannot access them elsewhere. UMD serves more than 6,000 individuals annually and works to address immediate needs while creating pathways to lasting stability.

The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and leads an organization of more than 40 staff, with six direct reports overseeing UMD’s major areas. This is an on-site leadership position in Durham, North Carolina, requiring a visible presence with staff, sheltered neighbors, donors, public partners, and the community. The anticipated salary begins at $150,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. UMD offers a competitive benefits package.

The CEO will work with the Board and staff to clarify the organization’s vision and update strategic priorities; ensure strong leadership and high-quality service delivery across programs; strengthen operational systems and communication; and balance daily service demands with long-term planning. The role will lead fundraising and financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, financial controls, and planning to address operating deficits. The CEO will preserve UMD’s compassionate, collaborative culture and promote transparent communication, staff engagement, and shared accountability.

As a visible ambassador and leading voice in Durham’s homelessness response, the CEO will build relationships with city and county leaders and convene nonprofit, healthcare, faith, business, philanthropic, volunteer, and housing partners. The CEO will use outcomes and community needs to identify service gaps, improve programs, advance pathways to stable housing, and foster cross-sector partnerships that maximize impact.

Requirements

• Executive leadership experience in a complex nonprofit or human services organization.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and change-management skills.
• Strong fundraising acumen and financial management experience, including aligning strategy, budgets, systems, and measurable results.
• Compassionate leadership that builds trust, develops teams, communicates clearly, and fosters an accountable, supportive culture.
• Ability to serve as a visible, persuasive communicator and bridge builder with public agencies, community partners, donors, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cross-sector partnerships and work effectively with a governing board and community stakeholders.
• Respect for individuals experiencing homelessness and commitment to low-barrier, client-centered services.
• Ability to listen well, remain accessible to staff and neighbors, and maintain executive presence with major donors and partners.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational realities.
• Ability to lead on site in Durham, North Carolina.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading program growth, facilities planning, collaborative initiatives, or significant organizational transitions.
• Knowledge of homelessness, poverty, housing instability, or related human services.
• Experience with approaches and models for addressing homelessness at the state or national level.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Board and staff to clarify UMD’s vision and update strategic priorities in response to Durham’s changing homelessness landscape and opportunities for innovation.
• Ensure strong leadership and high-quality service delivery across the shelter, Day Center, community café, and other supportive services.
• Strengthen operational systems and consistent communication across the organization.
• Balance urgent daily service needs with disciplined planning, adaptability, and long-term organizational effectiveness.
• Lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy, deepening philanthropic relationships and expanding individual giving, corporate and institutional partnerships, civic and federal investment, and diverse revenue opportunities.
• Strengthen financial sustainability through sound budgeting, forecasting, reporting, controls, and a plan to address operating deficits.
• Partner with the Board to drive fundraising growth and resource development, and prioritize financial oversight to support long-term organizational stability.
• Lead by example in practicing UMD’s values and ensure the leadership transition strengthens organizational stability, strategic focus, and sustainable impact.
• Preserve UMD’s compassionate, collaborative culture through transparent communication, staff engagement, and shared accountability.
• Develop and operationalize effective communication that showcases UMD’s leadership, clarifies expectations, and fosters accountability across staff and community collaborations.
• Serve as a visible, trusted ambassador for UMD and a leading voice in Durham’s homelessness response.
• Build working relationships with Durham City and County leaders and align efforts with community homelessness strategies.
• Convene nonprofit, healthcare, faith, business, philanthropic, volunteer, and housing partners to coordinate services and reduce duplication.
• Stay informed about homelessness research, service-delivery approaches, and effective models in North Carolina and nationally.
• Use outcomes and community needs to assess service gaps, improve program delivery, and advance pathways toward stable housing.
• Foster partnerships across private, nonprofit, public, and higher education sectors to maximize impact and support programs that make homelessness brief and infrequent.
• Drive UMD’s development as a national model for addressing homelessness through public-private partnerships.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with employer contributions toward coverage; eligibility begins after 90 days of employment.
• Dental insurance with employer contributions toward coverage; eligibility begins after 90 days of employment.
• Vision insurance with employer contributions toward coverage; eligibility begins after 90 days of employment.
• Paid vacation.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed