Hiring Executive Director in Baltimore

Baltimore Homecoming is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 with the mission of reconnecting Baltimore alumni across the United States to their hometown, driving community investment, and supporting local economic and youth development initiatives. Over the past 5 years, we have built a national network of 12,000+ active alumni members, hosted 4 annual homecoming events drawing 4,000+ attendees each, and distributed $2.3M in grants to Baltimore-based youth STEM programs, small business relief funds, and neighborhood revitalization projects. Our work is guided by a 12-member board of directors composed of Baltimore business leaders, nonprofit executives, and alumni volunteers, and we operate out of our headquarters in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood.

We are currently seeking an experienced, community-focused Executive Director to lead the next phase of our organization's growth, overseeing all aspects of operations from annual event execution to year-round programming, fundraising, and partnership development. This role reports directly to the board of directors and is responsible for setting the strategic vision for Baltimore Homecoming, managing a team of 4 full-time staff and 100+ seasonal volunteers, and ensuring we meet our impact and financial targets each year.

Key responsibilities for this role include:
1. Leading end-to-end planning and execution of the annual 3-day Baltimore Homecoming event, coordinating with 15+ local vendor partners, city permits and public safety teams, and 200+ volunteer alumni to deliver a seamless, inclusive experience for 5,000+ attendees, with a target of 92%+ attendee satisfaction measured via post-event surveys.
2. Developing and implementing a year-round alumni engagement strategy that grows the active member base from 12,000 to 25,000 within 3 years, including monthly virtual networking sessions, 8+ regional chapter meetups across the U.S. annually, and a formal mentorship program connecting 500+ early-career alumni with local Baltimore industry leaders each year.
3. Overseeing all fundraising operations, including individual donor stewardship, corporate sponsorship acquisition, and grant writing, with a target of increasing annual revenue from $850,000 to $1.5M within the first 2 years of tenure, while maintaining a 15% operating reserve in line with nonprofit best practices and ensuring 100% compliance with donor privacy regulations.
4. Managing a team of 4 full-time staff (Development Coordinator, Events Manager, Communications Specialist, Operations Associate) and a rotating pool of 100+ seasonal volunteers, providing clear performance metrics, regular professional development opportunities, and inclusive team culture practices that center Baltimore's diverse community.
5. Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with Baltimore city government, local chambers of commerce, K-12 school districts, and higher education institutions including Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Coppin State University to align programming with local economic development and community needs.
6. Leading all marketing and communications efforts for the organization, including managing the $120,000 annual communications budget, overseeing social media content across 3 platforms, and producing quarterly alumni newsletters that achieve a 35%+ open rate and drive engagement with programming and fundraising initiatives.
7. Ensuring full compliance with all 501(c)(3) regulatory requirements, including annual IRS Form 990 filing, state charity registration, and conflict of interest policies, while conducting annual third-party financial audits with zero material findings.
8. Evaluating program impact through quarterly data analysis, tracking metrics such as alumni volunteer hours, small business grant distribution, and youth program participation to report to the board of directors and adjust programming to meet evolving community needs.

Our team operates with a flat hierarchy and prioritizes work-life balance for all staff. We offer a hybrid work model (3 days per week in our Mount Vernon headquarters, 2 days remote) to support work-life needs, with flexible scheduling during event weeks to accommodate event-related responsibilities. Our team is 70% BIPOC and 60% women, and we center Baltimore's diverse communities in all our work, with regular team service days supporting local food banks and youth mentorship initiatives. We value transparency, collaboration, and accountability, and every staff member has direct access to board leadership and input into organizational strategy.

Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, event management, or community development, with at least 3 years of experience managing a team and overseeing a $500,000+ annual budget. A proven track record of increasing fundraising revenue by at least 20% year-over-year in a prior role is required. Deep familiarity with Baltimore's neighborhoods, community stakeholders, and alumni networks is strongly preferred, as is fluency in Spanish to support engagement with Baltimore's Latinx alumni and community partners. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and be willing to travel occasionally for regional alumni events and nonprofit conferences.

For this role, we require proficiency in donor management platforms (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack), event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite), project management tools (Asana, Trello), and advanced Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel for budget tracking and reporting). Experience with social media management platforms (Hootsuite, Buffer) and data visualization tools (Tableau, Google Data Studio) for impact reporting is a plus.

The salary range for this position is $95,000–$115,000 annually, commensurate with experience, with a performance-based bonus of up to 10% of annual salary for meeting or exceeding revenue and impact targets. We offer a full benefits package including 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee, with 80% coverage for dependent plans. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match after 1 year of employment, a $2,000 annual professional development stipend for conferences, certifications, or continuing education, free tickets to all Baltimore Homecoming events, and 15 days of paid time off plus 10 paid company holidays annually.

This role offers clear pathways for career growth, with opportunities to advance into senior leadership positions within Baltimore Homecoming or our network of 30+ partner nonprofit organizations across the city. We provide ongoing leadership coaching, support for pursuing a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or similar nonprofit certification, and opportunities to present at regional nonprofit conferences to build your professional profile.

To apply, submit your resume and a 1-page cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your 3-year strategic vision for Baltimore Homecoming to [email protected] by October 15, 2024. All applications will be reviewed by the hiring committee, and selected candidates will be contacted for a 30-minute initial phone screening the week of October 21. Finalist candidates will be invited to a 60-minute panel interview with the board of directors, including a brief presentation on your proposed priorities for the role, the week of October 28. The selected candidate will be notified of an offer by November 8, 2024, with a target start date of December 2, 2024. Baltimore Homecoming is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply, particularly those with lived experience in Baltimore's diverse communities.