Associate Director of Fun, Faith and Experience
Posted
Description
Associate Director of Fun, Faith and Experience
At Makom, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve the quality of life they aspire to live. If you are an enthusiastic professional eager to make a meaningful difference in the IDD community, we want to meet you!
For over 40 years, we have led the delivery of compassionate, innovative services to individuals and families in the IDD community across Maryland and Virginia. Our team of over 450 professionals is united by a shared commitment to fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. At Makom, you will have the chance to be part of a transformative mission while working in a community that values your individuality, expertise, and aspirations.
The Role:
The Associate Director of Fun, Faith and Experience (FFE) leads the development and expansion of inclusive social, recreational, educational, cultural, and spiritual opportunities across Makom. Reporting to the Chief Programs Officer, this role strengthens community partnerships, meaningful relationships, individual choice, and belonging for people supported by Makom.
FFE experiences are voluntary and guided by each person’s interests, beliefs, culture, accessibility needs, and aspirations, including the right to choose religious, spiritual, or secular activities without pressure.
Reports To: Chief Programs Officer
Supervises: FFE coordinators and assigned department staff
Supervises: FFE coordinators and assigned department staff
Responsibilities:
Strategic Development and Service Expansion:
- Support the Chief Programs Officer in growing FFE across programs through measurable plans, sustainable service models, and clear implementation priorities.
- Identify unmet needs and barriers to participation, including transportation, staffing, accessibility, communication, and cost; recommend practical solutions.
- Evaluate partnerships, staffing, resources, and opportunities for expansion while protecting person-centered quality and choice.
Community Partnerships and Belonging:
- Develop partnerships with community organizations, cultural and educational institutions, businesses, volunteers, and recreation providers to expand meaningful experiences.
- Build relationships with CCS/Support Coordinators, school districts, special education partners, and community groups to connect people with appropriate opportunities.
- Collaborate with Community Living and Community Engagement Services to foster friendships, natural supports, valued social roles, and participation beyond Makom events.
Faith, Spirituality and Individual Choice:
- Coordinate opportunities for religious, spiritual, cultural, and secular engagement consistent with each person’s preferences, including Jewish traditions and other faith practices.
- Maintain relationships with synagogues, churches, Hillel organizations, ministries, and other faith and community partners.
- Protect each person’s right to choose, decline, change, or discontinue participation; respect privacy, identity, cultural beliefs, and freedom from religious pressure.
Social, Recreational and Educational Experiences:
- Design and expand accessible, age-appropriate social, recreational, cultural, educational, and leisure experiences informed by individual interests and goals.
- Coordinate scheduling, communication, staffing, volunteers, transportation, accommodations, resource allocation, and safety planning with service teams.
- Partner with Nursing and qualified professionals to address mobility, health, sensory, communication, and behavioral support needs as appropriate.
Cross-Program Coordination and Hospitality:
- Serve as an organization-wide FFE resource, establishing clear processes for requests, coordination, communication, evaluation, and follow-up.
- Collaborate with service, referral, and enrollment teams to help people explore residential and community-based opportunities aligned with their preferences; admission decisions remain with responsible teams.
- Coordinate compassionate hospitality during hospitalization, serious illness, death, and bereavement in partnership with responsible service teams, Nursing, and families, respecting privacy and personal beliefs.
- Communicate barriers, staffing needs, service concerns, and unresolved issues to the Chief Programs Officer and appropriate leaders.
Staff Supervision and Development:
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned FFE coordinators and staff; establish expectations, address performance matters with People & Culture, and approve time records.
- Coordinate training and competency development in person-centered engagement, accessibility, ethics, inclusion, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
Quality, Resources and Ethical Practice:
- Track requests, participation, partnerships, volunteer involvement, and person-defined outcomes; apply CQL Personal Outcome Measures and feedback to guide improvements.
- Work with the Chief Programs Officer to develop and monitor budgets, identify grants and sponsorships, and assess sustainable resource needs.
- Ensure activities respect PCP/ISP requirements, HCBS rights, applicable Maryland and Virginia requirements, safety protocols, and NADSP ethical principles.
- Report incidents and risks promptly; coordinate follow-up within the role’s authority and perform other assigned duties.
Competencies:
- Strategic Growth & Service Development — Expands accessible, sustainable, person-centered opportunities.
- Community Engagement & Belonging — Builds relationships, natural supports, and meaningful community roles.
- Inclusive Experience Design — Creates culturally responsive recreational, educational, and spiritual opportunities.
- Person-Centered Leadership & Choice — Respects dignity, consent, beliefs, privacy, and self-determination.
- Cross-Program Coordination & Hospitality — Aligns teams and supports compassionate responses to life events.
- Staff Leadership & Accountability — Coaches employees and maintains clear performance expectations.
- Quality Improvement & Outcomes — Uses feedback and data to evaluate person-defined results.
- Resource Stewardship & Partnerships — Manages budgets and develops sustainable community resources.
- Safety, Ethics & Makom Values — Demonstrates Self-Determination, Excellence, Inclusion, and Integrity.
Qualifications:
- At least three years of leadership or progressively responsible experience in disability services, community engagement, residential or social services, faith-based programming, or a related field.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to design, implement, evaluate, and expand accessible programs and services.
- Strong knowledge of Jewish religion and traditions, familiarity with other belief systems, and respect for secular preferences.
- Excellent communication, partnership-building, organizational, analytical, and project-management skills.
- Ability to use feedback and outcomes data to improve services, manage priorities, and coordinate across programs.
- Computer proficiency; SharePoint and Paycor/Paycom experience helpful.
- Availability for occasional evenings, weekends, urgent needs, and local travel.
- Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to meet screening and training requirements.
Work Environment and Position Details:
- Physical Demands: Ability to perform essential physical functions with reasonable accommodation as applicable.
- Work Environment: Office, service, and community settings across Maryland and Virginia programs.
- Position Type/Expected Hours: Full-time management role; occasional evenings, weekends, and urgent response.
- Travel: Local travel as required by assigned programs and supervisory responsibilities.
- Other Duties: Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs.
Our Culture:
At Makom, we champion a culture rooted in integrity, inclusion, excellence, and self-determination. We celebrate the unique contributions of every team member and strive to build a community where everyone feels valued and empowered to excel. Makom is a place of belonging. A place of support. A place of connection. A place where every individual can continue to grow. We will continuously push the boundaries of what it means for individuals to live meaningful, self-determined lives.
Join Us:
If you are ready to bring your passion, skills, and dedication to an organization committed to making a difference, we invite you to apply and become part of the Makom family. Together, we will continue to innovate, empower, and inspire.
Let us build a brighter future—one life at a time.
Commitment to EEO:
Makom provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.