Managing Director at Baltimore Center Stage - ALJP Consulting

Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) in Baltimore, MD seeks a collaborative, innovative, and diplomatic leader to join a team of talented staff, artists, and board members in the role of Managing Director.



Who is Baltimore Center Stage?

Inspired by our home city, Baltimore Center Stage acts as a cultural catalyst for all communities to access theater in every form and engage in compelling conversations.

- Baltimore Center Stage Mission Statement

Founded in 1963 and designated the State Theater of Maryland in 1978, Baltimore Center Stage provides the highest quality theater and programming for all members of our communities, including youth and families, under the leadership of Artistic Director Stephanie Ybarra. Baltimore Center Stage ignites conversations and imaginations by producing an eclectic season of professional productions across two mainstages and an intimate 99-seat theater, through engaging community programs, and with inspiring education programs. BCS is led by these core values—chief among them being Access For All. The mission is heavily rooted in providing active and open accessibility for everyone, regardless of any and all barriers, to Mainstage performances, education initiatives, and community programming.

Baltimore Center Stage was in the beginning stages of a strategic planning process when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Through that process, the organization rearticulated its mission and defined these five strategic goals for the organization:

PROGRAMMING – Capture the collective imagination and build community through joy-filled theatrical activities that lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and each other.

CONSTITUENCY – Build interdependent relationships and expand participation in service to all communities in Baltimore and every county in the State of Maryland.

CULTURE – Foster an environment of belonging and relentless curiosity where people can be their best selves.

IMPACT – Contribute to the story of Baltimore by showing up locally and nationally as leaders, thought partners, amplifiers, and neighbors.

INSTITUTION – Develop a resilient organization that delivers on its mission and makes a distinctive impact relative to its resources.

What will you do?



The Managing Director of Baltimore Center Stage will work in partnership with the Board of Directors, Artistic Director, and staff to provide leadership and direction for the theater. The role will serve as an external representative of Baltimore Center Stage to the greater Baltimore community. The Managing Director will partner with the Artistic Director to shape BCS’s overall strategic vision, deliver its mission imperative to serve as a cultural catalyst, and ensure its future for the citizens of the State of Maryland and beyond.

The Managing Director will be responsive to the opportunities and challenges that face BCS as the organization continues to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The MD will collaborate closely with the Artistic Director to imagine and implement a business model that strengthens Baltimore Center Stage’s resilience in response to the changes that have happened in the American Theater landscape. The Managing Director will be responsible for creating and managing the structures and policies that best support the business model while creating a strong organizational culture.

The Managing Director reports to the Board of Trustees through its President, working in a co-equal partnership with the Artistic Director. The trustees are committed to working with the Managing and Artistic Directors to develop a wonderful and lasting working partnership and recognize that the exact functions and roles between the two will evolve as that partnership develops in this time of transition and change.



Your Areas of Accountability

Strategic Leadership

Co-lead with the Artistic Director the development of a long-term vision and strategic plan for the organization in collaboration with trustees, staff and artists.

Imagine, create, and implement a post-COVID-19 business model for BCS in collaboration with the Artistic Director, trustees, and staff members.

Work with the board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.

Work in partnership with the Artistic Director for the successful development and execution of BCS productions and programs.

Work with the Director of Advancement and the Director of Brand Marketing to create and implement revenue-generating strategies to increase contributed and earned revenue.

Continue to increase the theater’s relevance to its communities, including its ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion.



Operational Leadership

Directly supervise the Director of Advancement, Director of Brand Marketing, Chief Resource Officer, Director of Experience and Operations, and an Executive Coordinator.

Have ultimate accountability for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of Baltimore Center Stage.

Maintain a primary focus on strengthening internal culture, systems, management practices, and structures that facilitate the best work of all engaged with BCS and that operationalize the theater’s antiracist values and commitments.

Develop with the Artistic Director the yearly organizational budget through a transparent and collaborative process.

Supervise day-to-day fiscal management such as monitoring cash flow, payroll, and vendor payments.

Work with the Director of Operations and Experience to manage and maintain Baltimore Center Stage’s building including theaters, offices, and shops.



Partnerships & External Relations

In partnership with the Artistic Director, serve as Baltimore Center Stage’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public.

Seek to strengthen existing relationships and build new connections that make BCS a good citizen of its community.

Build authentic relationships with local communities and community leaders

Work with the Director of Advancement and the Artistic Director to cultivate donor relationships and solicit major gifts.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundations, donors, and sponsors

Develop and cultivate relationships with local, state, and federal representatives and policymakers.



Who are we looking for?

The top candidates will have the following qualifications:

Senior management experience in a nonprofit organization, with a preference for those with experience in the American not-for-profit theater.

A demonstrated commitment to the values of antiracism, equity, and inclusion.

Demonstrated leadership in assuring that the human and financial resources of the organization are effectively deployed.

Demonstrated organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, and process facilitation.

Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.

Track record of driving innovation while managing change and risk.

Fundraising experience, with a preference for those accustomed to interacting with major donors.

Successful track record in building and supporting community.

A highly developed set of communication skills that center on transparency and inclusion.

A passion for live theater and its value, based upon its productions, its education programs, and its interaction with communities.

A connection to or knowledge of Baltimore is a plus.



How much are we paying and what are the perks?

Salary: $175,000 - $205,000/year



Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Vacation and Sick Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, as well as Retirement Plan Eligibility.



About the venues: Baltimore Center Stage has been in its historic Mt. Vernon home since 1975. In 2017, Baltimore Center Stage completed a $28 million renovation to create more opportunities for art-making and community building, with new public spaces to gather in before and after shows, and state-of-the-art performance spaces. BCS has three performance spaces: the 541-seat Pearlstone Theater, the 400 flex-seat Head Theater, and the 99 flex-seat Bernard Blackbox. Each theater incorporates state-of-the-art rigging, automation equipment, projectors, and changeable seating arrangements.
Salary: $175,000 - $205,000