Hiring Executive Director in Baltimore

### About Baltimore Homecoming
Baltimore Homecoming is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by a group of alumni from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Baltimore, and local Baltimore high schools, with the mission of mobilizing the more than 200,000 Baltimore alumni residing across the United States to strengthen their connection to their hometown and support local community initiatives. Since its creation, the organization has built a network of more than 12,000 active members, raised over $4.2 million for local projects, and launched two flagship programs: the *Baltimore Promise* scholarship fund, which supports post-secondary education for low-income high school students in Baltimore, and the *Homecoming Connect* mentoring program, which pairs professional alumni with local high school students to provide career guidance and networking opportunities. Our work focuses on three core pillars: education access, economic development, and heritage preservation, in partnership with the City of Baltimore government, local universities, and more than 80 private sector partners.

### Role Overview
We are seeking our next Executive Director, who will serve as the senior operational and strategic leader of the entire organization, reporting directly to a 15-member board of directors. You will be the primary public representative of Baltimore Homecoming, interacting with key stakeholders including alumni members, individual and institutional donors, university partners, municipal officials, corporate sponsors, program beneficiaries, and local media. This full-time, on-site role is based in our Federal Hill neighborhood offices in Baltimore, with approximately 20% travel required across the United States to attend regional alumni events, fundraising galas, and partnership meetings. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in nonprofit leadership, a deep understanding of community engagement strategies, and a personal or professional connection to the city of Baltimore.

### Key Responsibilities
1. Lead the development and implementation of the organization's 3-year strategic plan, aligned with the mission defined by the board of directors, with measurable annual objectives including a 15% year-over-year increase in active member count and a 20% increase in annual fundraising revenue over the first 3 years in the role.
2. Manage an annual operating budget of $2.8 million, including end-to-end fundraising oversight, expense management, 501(c)(3) compliance, and quarterly financial reporting to the board, donors, and regulatory authorities.
3. Supervise a team of 12 permanent full-time staff (program managers, fundraising officers, communications lead) and coordinate the work of 35 volunteers spread across 12 regional alumni groups across the U.S., implementing performance tracking processes and mandatory training programs to ensure consistent program quality.
4. Develop and execute diversified fundraising strategies including individual donor campaigns, corporate grants, annual gala events in Baltimore, and regional alumni fundraising events, to meet or exceed annual revenue targets set by the board.
5. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with the City of Baltimore, local universities, East Coast-based private sector companies (particularly those led by Baltimore alumni), and other local nonprofit organizations to expand program impact and increase the organization's public visibility.
6. Oversee the production and distribution of member-facing communications including a monthly e-newsletter, annual impact reports, social media content (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), and website updates, to maintain a digital member engagement rate of at least 40% across all channels.
7. Ensure full compliance of all organizational activities with federal and state 501(c)(3) regulations, including tax filing, donor data protection, and ethical fundraising practices, with zero compliance violations annually.
8. Measure and report on the impact of core programs (scholarships, mentoring, local development projects) via clear performance indicators, and present semi-annual public impact reports to all stakeholders.

### Work Environment & Culture
Our team is made up of passionate professionals who are deeply committed to the future of Baltimore and believe in the power of alumni networks to drive positive local change. We operate on a culture of collaboration and innovation: every team member is encouraged to propose new ideas to improve program impact, and we hold monthly brainstorming sessions to refine our strategies. We prioritize work-life balance for all staff, offering flexible working hours, the option to work remotely 2 days per week, 20 days of paid time off per year in addition to 10 paid sick days and all federal holidays, and a supportive management structure that values employee feedback. Our Federal Hill offices offer access to on-site coworking spaces, a casual dress code, and regular team-building events hosted at local Baltimore venues to keep the team connected to the city we serve.

### Candidate Requirements
- 10+ years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, preferably with a track record of managing community engagement or alumni mobilization programs at a regional or national scale.
- Proven experience in diversified fundraising, with an established network of individual and institutional donors across the U.S. East Coast.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (full professional fluency required; Spanish proficiency is a strong asset).
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and operating budgets exceeding $1 million annually.
- In-depth knowledge of U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit compliance regulations and ethical fundraising standards.
- Strong familiarity with Baltimore's local community landscape, economic development challenges, and educational ecosystem is a major competitive advantage.

### Technical Skills
Candidates must have demonstrated proficiency with the following tools:
- Fundraising and donor management: Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack
- Project management: Asana, Monday.com
- Communications and marketing: Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Canva, WordPress
- Collaboration and productivity: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Teams

### Compensation & Benefits
The annual base salary for this role ranges from $125,000 to $155,000, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications. In addition to base pay, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 80% coverage of health insurance premiums for the employee and their dependents
- 401(k) retirement plan with 4% employer matching contributions
- 20 days of paid time off per year, plus 10 paid sick days and all federal holidays
- Option to work remotely 2 days per week
- Annual $2,000 professional development stipend for conferences, training, and continuing education
- Free access to all Baltimore Homecoming programs and events for the employee and their family
- Annual performance bonus of up to 10% of base salary, tied to achievement of annual organizational goals

### Career Growth Opportunities
As Executive Director, you will have the opportunity to build a vast professional network spanning corporate leaders, municipal officials, education stakeholders, and nonprofit executives across the United States. You will lead the development of new program lines for the organization, and contribute directly to shaping its 10-year long-term strategic vision. After 3 years of successful tenure, high-performing Executive Directors may be considered for leadership roles within the broader Baltimore alumni nonprofit network, including board positions at partner organizations or leadership of national alumni initiatives.

### Hiring Process & Next Steps
The full selection process will take place over 6 weeks, with the following timeline:
1. **Application review (until October 15, 2024)**: Submit your CV and a tailored cover letter detailing your relevant nonprofit leadership experience, your connection to Baltimore, and a concrete 12-month action plan for Baltimore Homecoming to [email protected]. Generic cover letters will not be considered.
2. **Initial phone interview (30 minutes, week of October 21, 2024)**: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30-minute phone call with Board Chair Vince Connelly to discuss your background and motivations.
3. **Panel interview and presentation (1 hour + 20 minute presentation, week of October 28, 2024)**: Candidates will present their 12-month action plan to the full board of directors, followed by a Q&A session.
4. **Final team interview (45 minutes, week of November 4, 2024)**: Finalists will meet with the senior operational team to assess cultural fit and management approach.
All candidates will receive a status update via email within 5 business days of each interview stage. The targeted start date for the successful candidate is December 2, 2024, with a 4-week onboarding period supported by the outgoing Executive Director.