Executive Director 

Next Wave Muslim Initiative (NWMI) is seeking a visionary, growth-driven Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of expansion and impact. This leader will build on a strong foundation to scale programs, deepen community engagement, and position NWMI as a leading model for nurturing the next generation of American Muslims.

The Opportunity: Lead the Next Phase of Growth

NWMI is at an important moment in its history. With rapidly growing participation, expanding programming, and increasing demand across the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, the organization is poised for significant growth.

The next Executive Director will:

  • Scale impact by expanding programming that resonates with today’s muslim youth and families

  • Strengthen community reach across Virginia, Maryland, and DC

  • Build sustainable infrastructure, including pursuing a permanent community space

  • Drive innovation in how faith, identity, and civic engagement are integrated into programming

  • Lead generational transition while preserving NWMI’s mission and values

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a thriving, values-driven organization.

About NWMI

Next Wave Muslim Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a diverse American Muslim community rooted in spiritual, intellectual, and social growth. Guided by the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) through the Ahlul Bayt (as), NWMI creates spaces where individuals—especially youth—can grow, connect, and lead.

NWMI is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit founded in 2009. We are currently recruiting our third Executive Director. Our annual budget ranges from $250k-$300k. We have a team of 10-15 dedicated volunteers with two full-time employees. NWMI is a community-funded organization, and all of our funding comes from donors and program registration fees.

NWMI hosts social, educational, and spiritual events. Our Eid programs typically draw 1,000 or more attendees. We run a summer youth camp, Ramadan iftars, spiritual nights, art workshops, lectures, and more. We also have a Teen Council that is made up of elected teens who plan and execute teen programming.

The Role: Growth-Focused Executive Leadership

The Executive Director will serve as the primary driver of organizational growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. This leader will balance strategic vision with operational execution, ensuring NWMI continues to evolve with the needs of its community.

Core Growth Mandate

  • Translate NWMI’s mission into a scalable, forward-looking strategy

  • Identify and capitalize on opportunities for expansion and innovation

  • Build systems and structures that support sustainable long-term growth

Position Responsibilities

  • Partner with the Board to define and execute a multi-year growth strategy

  • Anticipate emerging community needs, including youth engagement, faith retention, and civic identity

  • Lead expansion into new geographies and audiences

  • Drive the vision for a permanent community hub

Community Engagement & Program Expansion

  • Scale high-impact programming to reach broader and more diverse audiences

  • Develop innovative programs addressing youth identity and faith challenges, religious education needs, and civic engagement

  • Increase participation, retention, and community ownership

Revenue Growth & Sustainability

  • Build and diversify revenue streams, including donations, grants, and fee-based programs

  • Lead fundraising strategy with a focus on long-term sustainability

  • Strengthen donor relationships and cultivate new supporters

  • Align financial strategy with organizational expansion goals

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

  • Build, inspire, and scale a high-performing team of staff and volunteers

  • Recruit mission-aligned talent to support growth initiatives

  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement

  • Lead effectively through change and organizational evolution

Operational Excellence & Infrastructure

  • Develop systems that enable efficient scaling of programs and operations

  • Implement data-driven approaches to measure engagement and impact

  • Maintain strong financial and operational discipline

  • Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance and regulatory requirements

External Leadership & Representation

  • Serve as a visible ambassador for NWMI in the broader community

  • Build strategic partnerships with intra-faith, interfaith, and civic organizations

  • Elevate NWMI’s visibility and influence at local and national levels

Who You Are

You are a mission-driven leader who combines vision with execution and thrives in building organizations at scale.

Core Leadership Traits

  • Strategic thinker who sees both current needs and future opportunities

  • Growth-minded leader with a track record of scaling programs or organizations

  • Community-centered professional with an understanding of the evolving Muslim experience in America

  • Builder who creates lasting systems, teams, and culture

  • Influencer who inspires action across diverse stakeholders

Qualifications

  • Five or more years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit or related organizations

  • Proven success in organizational growth, fundraising, or program expansion

  • Experience working with Boards of Directors

  • Strong financial and operational management skills

  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities

Why This Role Matters

NWMI is not simply growing—it is evolving. The next Executive Director will play a pivotal role in shaping how a new generation of American Muslims connects to faith, community, and society.

This role is for a leader who does more than maintain an organization. It is for someone who will help build what comes next.

COMPENSATION

Starting salary commensurate with work experience and background. 

  • Base salary range: $70k-100k

  • Paid leave (combined vacation and sick) of 15 business days

  • Medical (and related) annual insurance premium reimbursement of $2,000

  • New Parent Leave of 6 weeks paid leave at the then prevailing wage, and 6 weeks unpaid leave

LOCATION:
NWMI’s programs serve the MD/VA/DC area.  Some work will be remote, but the ideal candidate will live in the MD/VA/DC area and will be expected to attend virtually all NWMI programs. To learn more about NWMI and our programs, please visit https://nwmi.org/

TO APPLY:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter along with a minimum of two references to:

Zainab Khabir at positions@nwmi.org or (240) 780-8714.

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on July 15, 2026