Chief Administrative Officer (Executive Director) - Appointed

Posting number: ED124

Department: OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Job classification: Executive Director

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Management, Executive Management, Project Management, Organizational Development, Program Management

Summary

The Position
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (the M-NCPPC), a 100-year-old bi-county agency, is looking for a dynamic, strategic, and energetic leader to be our new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO, a.k.a. the Executive Director). The new CAO will help lead the M-NCPPC’s Central Administrative Services into our next century of service to the people of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. As an organization founded on planning, parks stewardship, and provision of recreation services, we need a leader who understands public service and organizational operations.

As one of three statutory officers of the M-NCPPC under Section 15-109 of the Land Use Article, the CAO serves as the senior administrative officer responsible for delivering efficient, coordinated, and policy-compliant services across finance, human resources, information technology, and enterprise systems. Reporting to the M-NCPPC Co-Chairs, the CAO works closely with the other two statutory officers—the General Counsel and Secretary-Treasurer—to align centralized administrative services with the needs of the M-NCPPC’s four operating departments, its legal mandates, and its long term goals. The position carries direct oversight of four functional leaders and a Deputy Director, each responsible for a distinct portfolio, and provides executive leadership to a team of 98 staff members across those functions:

• The Deputy Director, who serves as the CAO’s second-in-command and provides high level oversight;
• The Corporate Budget Director, who leads budget and financial planning;
• The Director of Human Resources Management, who leads classification and compensation, benefits administration, labor and employee relations, talent acquisition and workforce planning, and HR operations;
• The Director of Information Technology, who leads enterprise information technology, commission-wide IT projects, and CAS staff IT support; and,
• The Director of Corporate Policy and Management Operations, who leads risk management, corporate policy and archives, performance management, supplier diversity, and provides strategic coordination of fleet management and facilities for the executive office building.

As the M-NCPPC prepares to celebrate its Centennial in 2027, the agency looks to its next CAO to approach this work deliberately and with excitement to ensure our success for the next 100 years. Enthusiasm for finding innovative solutions and modernizing organizational procedures is critical. The CAO will continue to work closely and effectively with the Secretary-Treasurer on fiduciary alignment, with the General Counsel on compliance and legal policy, and with the Inspector General on internal controls and accountability. Day-to-day, the CAO sets service standards for administrative functions that reach every corner of the M-NCPPC. The CAO also guides continuous improvement, modernization, and change management, working with department leaders to balance central policy with the operational autonomy each department needs to do its work. The next CAO steps into an organization staffed by capable and dedicated professionals. The full position description is available at Chief Administrative Officer Position Description.

How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning August 26, 2026.

Questions
Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at alewis@raftelis.com or Niayla Hairston at nhairston@raftelis.com.

Examples of duties

Priorities
The CAO’s early work will center on review and assessment of organizational operations to identify areas for sharpening service delivery and setting a durable foundation for the future. Some of the current priorities include the following:

Advance a s