Pearlstone Executive Director

Leadership Profile: Executive Director Pearlstone Campus for Living JudaismThe Pearlstone Campus for Living Judaism engages over 15000 people each year through overnight retreats Kosher farm-to-table food Jewish environmental education camps holiday celebrations regenerative agriculture land restoration amphitheater events and moreall on a beautiful 180-acre campus located nearby the heart of Jewish Baltimore and BWI airport. Pearlstones $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. Pearlstone is a living laboratory for dynamic Jewish is the leading Jewish environmental organization in North America. At Adamah we believe in the deep connection between people and planet adam and adamah. Every day we help people feel that connection spark Jewish inspiration and help build a more sustainable future for all. And because we are the link between our ancestors and our descendants we are called in this generation to respond to the existential crises of our time with the full power of the Jewish spirit. Our mission is to create vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth catalyzing culture change and systemic change through immersive retreats Jewish environmental education leadership development and climate action. Our vision is to spark a renaissance in Jewish life through deep connection with the earth transforming Jewish education and mobilizing collective action grounded in joy love and hope inspiring other faith communities and the world. We impact over 50000 people each year through two retreat centersPearlstone in Baltimore and Isabella Freedman in Connecticutand national programs amplified in six Community Impact Hubs in major Jewish communities nationwide: New York Baltimore Detroit Atlanta Los Angeles San Francisco and more coming soon. Adamahs work is grounded in our core values:1. Community & Belonging: We build authentic connections through each encounter bringing people together to learn celebrate and build a better world.2. Joy Love & Hope: We create joyous experiences filled with love that give people hope for the future.3. Jewish Wisdom: We draw strength inspiration and guidance from Jewish text & prayer ritual & calendar stories & song.4. Nature Connection: We tap into and learn from the indigenous healing power of the natural world.5. Youth Empowerment: We center rising generations as they find their voice and drive change.6. Collective Action: We learn from our elders going farther together with our partners and allies.7. Peoplehood & Planethood: We build bridges for the Jewish people from Israel and the Diaspora to build a more sustainable future OverviewPearlstones Executive Director will be the third Pearlstone leader in its 25-year history a new chapter after 15 years of leadership from Jakir Manela Adamahs CEO and the first new Pearlstone leader since the merger with Hazon to form Adamah. This leadership transition presents a tremendous opportunity to help shape what Pearlstone becomes in the years ahead building on the Adamah merger with a strong programmatic foundation and campus master plan and profound potential for one of the most dynamic institutions in American Jewish life. This transition is therefore a top priority for Pearlstone for Adamah and for The Associated Jewish Community Federation of role balances three interconnected responsibilities:1. Build a vibrant inspired team and culture working to weave together complex operations and multiple on-site enterprises through shared values clear systems consistent feedback loops and focus on financial sustainability.2. AdvanceAdamahs mission and values through immersive experiences grounded in community and belonging joy-love-and hope Jewish wisdom nature connection and more.3. Represent Pearlstone in key public-facing moments with the Pearlstone board donors retreat clients The Associated and its agencies and to: Jakir Manela Adamah CEO Salary: $170k/year Exempt with benefitsSupervision: Sales Guest Services Food Service Program Farm and FacilitiesWhat Success Looks LikePearlstones Executive Director (PED) is responsible for ensuring success is grounded in Adamahs core values mission impact and financial sustainability. Within the first two years in this role (2027 and 2028) the PED will work with Adamah leadership to achieve several important goals:1. Build and lead a high-performing Pearlstone staff team with consistent strong success in hospitality & programming2. Strengthen Pearlstones financial sustainability through increased sales and philanthropic support3. Complete over $3M of fully funded facility projects as part of the Pearlstone Campus Master Plan4. Strengthen the Pearlstone boards impact through better recruitment engagement inspiration and empowerment5. Develop deeper strategic partnerships with the Associated its agencies and other Baltimore organizationsKey Pearlstone Stakeholders: Adamah Pearlstone Advisory Board and the AssociatedUnder the supervision of Adamah leadership in partnership with the Pearlstone board and in collaboration and synergy with the Associated the Pearlstone Executive Director leads Pearlstones operations budget hiring processes business planning fundraising organizational partnerships and facility maintenance and development. Adamah provides ongoing support across strategy fundraising finance marketing data systems and HR giving the PED the infrastructure and resources of a national organization while retaining empowerment and responsibility for Pearlstones operational success. Day to day operational decisions are owned by the PED as are almost all hiring decisionssome senior hospitality and programmatic roles will merit interviews and/or consultation with Adamah leadership and/or Pearlstone board before the PED makes the final hiring decision. The PED will drive the Pearlstone budgeting process in partnership with their department directors supervised by Adamahs CEO and in consultation with Adamahs CFO before it is reviewed and eventually approved by Adamahs Finance Committee. Adamah and Associated involvement may increase within specific contexts such as long-term Pearlstone strategy conversations major fundraising efforts Associated partnership and priorities and major mission-centric programmatic initiatives such as summer camp and music Responsibilities:Institutional Leadership & AccountabilityRecruit retain & develop strong talent for the Pearlstone team and provide clear goals planning & communicationBuild a culture of professionalism warmth and shared purpose and accountability across diverse staff teamsEnsure Pearlstones financial sustainability through hospitality business development and increased philanthropyClosely manage KPIs and operational reporting to guide decisions and course correctionsOwn crisis management and emergency response planning including safety legal HR and communicationsPhilanthropy & Community RelationshipsServe as lead staff to the Pearlstone Board working closely with the chair and engaging all membersBuild and strengthen Pearlstones relationship with The Associated and the broader Baltimore Jewish communityServe as Pearlstones ambassador with Jewish organizations schools camps and fundersLead Pearlstone fundraising efforts including solicitation campaign support and donor storytellingPersonally cultivate and steward major donor relationships alongside the Pearlstone board and Adamah CEOHospitality OperationsProvide outstanding strategic supervision of Sales Guest Services Food Service and FacilitiesEnsure strong systems for guest communication staffing scheduling and post-event follow-upDrive continuous improvement based on guest feedback and satisfaction dataLead integration of the new amphitheater into operations revenue strategy and community engagementFinancial Sustainability & Business StrategyBuild and manage Pearlstones annual operating and capital budget across hospitality and programming areasDrive growth in retreat rental program camp and other revenue. Prioritize marketing pricing occupancy & staffingLead new business development sparking organizational partnerships and new revenue streamsCultivate mission-money synergy reinforcing impact guest experience earned revenue and philanthropyCampus Master Plan & FacilitiesEnsure facilities support guest experience safety accessibility and sustainabilitythrough outstanding maintenance systems risk management and planning in partnership with The AssociatedLead the execution of the Pearlstone Campus Master Plan by maximizing the launch and impact of recently opened facilities and driving forward the planning construction and integration of the next round of fully funded projectsCollaborate with Adamah leadership the Pearlstone board and the Associated to look ahead towards additional master plan priorities and fundraising opportunities on the horizonJewish Environmental Education & Land StewardshipMaximize nature connection Jewish education and farm & land stewardship as essential Pearlstone experienceEnsure outstanding Pearlstone programming retreats camps farm-based and wilderness education and holiday programs in full alignment with Adamahs mission and valuesCultivate synergy and cross promotion with the Adamah network for follow-up and ongoing engagement and impactQualificationsBasic Jewish literacy passion and inspiration connected to Adamahs mission and resonance with Torah of the Earth810 years in senior leadership including 5 years managing department heads & multi-million dollar budgetsA track record of change management growing earned revenue and successful fundraising effortsDemonstrated ability to build organizational culture staff accountability and communication systemsExperience working with boards lay leaders donors funders and institutional partnersExperience navigating Jewish nonprofit landscape (familiarity with Baltimore or The Associated preferred)Strong work ethic professional demeanor and excellent written and verbal communication skillsExperience preferred in retreat centers hospitality camps or complex land-based multi-department operationsWork ConditionsPED works primarily on-site at Pearlstone with regular meetings in and around Baltimore. This is an exempt position which is most often a MondayFriday schedule with periodic evening and weekend work required. The employee will have a 90-day check-in after their start date followed by the regular annual performance evaluation cycle. This job description is not exhaustive; duties may be modified as business needs require or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.