Open Position:

Director, Operations

Posted: July 21, 2025

Applications close: August 8 or until the position is filled

Position Overview

Baltimore’s Promise seeks a strategic and detail-oriented Director, Operations to support core operational functions across finance, human resources, administration, development and compliance. This role will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), who currently oversees all operational functions for the organization. The Director will play a critical role in building internal infrastructure, strengthening compliance systems, and supporting a sustainable operational foundation as Baltimore’s Promise transitions into a fully independent 501(c)(3).

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong project management skills, comfort navigating ambiguity, and the ability to move projects from initiation through completion. This person will have a commitment to operational excellence in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment. This is a hands-on position designed for someone eager to help build efficient, equitable systems and internal capacity for a growing nonprofit.

Organizational Values

Foundational to all of Baltimore’s Promise’s work is ensuring it is developed, implemented, and evaluated in alignment with our organizational values, listed below, and our race equity and inclusion statement. It is of critical importance that all staff are fully aligned with our values and commitment to race equity and inclusion. This position must consistently live our values in the way they think about, approach, engage, and support Baltimore City’s young people.

In our fight for justice and systems change, our values as individuals, teams, and as an organization are the following:

• Equity – Our efforts and initiatives are co-developed and driven by the lived experiences of those most negatively impacted by the outcomes we seek to improve. Race, ethnicity, gender, or other attributes should not have predictive power over support, resources, and opportunities that one can access. 

• Hustle – We are self-starters who take the initiative to strategically identify and advance solutions to address failures in achieving positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. We work efficiently, cross-functionally, and resourcefully – with a sense of urgency – to carry out the mission of the organization.

• Humanity – We honor individuals and communities by holding ourselves and our partners accountable to act with integrity, compassion, kindness, and empathy.

• Creativity – We are fun and innovative. Our first idea may not be the final strategy because we look for and embrace new ideas from diverse sources. We celebrate the accomplishments of staff and partners.

• Shared Accountability – Shared Accountability is our collective responsibility for the work of the organization, not a threat of sanction. When we say we will do something, we will do it, and if we don’t, we will communicate our reasons why. We must be both supportive and critical of one another to ensure that we meet individual and team responsibilities that contribute to larger organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Administrative Infrastructure

• Manage the development of operational processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) through co-development with the COO, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as needed, and other Baltimore’s Promise staff members

• Collaborate with the COO to support HR processes, onboarding, payroll coordination, and benefits administration

• Maintain vendor records, administrative systems, insurance policies, and office management tools,

• Help manage IT service vendors and software tools for efficiency and staff support

• Supervise office manager/administrative personnel and manage facilities

Finance, Development, Procurement & Compliance

• Support the COO in managing budgeting, financial reporting, and day-to-day fiscal operations, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and organizational priorities

• Maintain and update documentation of internal controls, financial policies, and grant management procedures

• Lead the preparation of grant budgets and financial narratives in collaboration with program staff, ensuring accurate tracking of restricted, multi-year, and pass-through funds

• Monitor spending against grant budgets and support organization-wide compliance with local, state, federal, and philanthropic funder guidelines

• Oversee the grant lifecycle, including proposal development support, award documentation, invoicing, reporting schedules, and grant close-out processes

• Coordinate and prepare for the annual audit and 990, including compiling financial and grant-related records

• Manage relationships with development and grant-writing contractors, ensuring high-quality deliverables and timely submission of proposals and reports

• Oversee procurement and contractor management, including scopes of work, contracting, and invoicing processes

• Ensure consistent documentation, vendor records, and purchasing procedures that comply with grant and internal policy requirements

• Establish fundraising systems, calendars, and pipelines to track and expand revenue opportunities

• Build and maintain a donor CRM system or tracking process to support personalized stewardship

• Draft donor communications in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Communications 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the COO and staff to strengthen internal workflows and knowledge management

• Ensure alignment with organizational values and equity principles across all operations

• Assist with special projects, including the organizational transition to 501(c)(3) independence

• Support the implementation of the learning agenda for the organization 

• Support preparation of materials for Board meetings and support logistics for the Board Finance Committee

In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, all Baltimore’s Promise staff are expected to seek out and take advantage of opportunities that our partners and our community provide for us to learn, connect, and show up to support values-aligned efforts in Baltimore. In particular, staff are encouraged to be in spaces that are focused on Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) youth and young adults and stakeholders who directly relate to your portfolio of work and professional network.

Qualifications

Required 

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit operations, finance, or administration, with at least one year of experience managing direct reports

• Strong knowledge of budgeting practices

• Proficiency in Excel, QuickBooks, and project management or finance systems

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects through completion with keen attention to detail

• Experience working with and managing the lifecycle of a grant

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills

• Alignment with the mission and values of Baltimore’s Promise

Preferred

• Experience supporting a start-up or transitioning organization

• Familiarity with HR systems, benefits administration, or organizational development

• Experience with vendor management or customer service

• Experience training staff on operational systems 

Important competencies and personal attributes needed to excel in the role include:

• Must be able to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy. 

• Ability to communicate complex subjects effectively with stakeholders at all levels, having varying degrees of understanding of relevant regulations and procedures.

• Commitment to working collaboratively, across all levels of the organization and with external partners. 

• A knack for solving complex problems to advance the organization’s mission.

• Desire to take initiative.

• Ability to work in a hybrid environment/with colleagues who work in a hybrid environment.

• Understanding of Baltimore’s historical, social and political context, particularly issues facing children and youth.

• Strong alignment to Baltimore’s Promise’s values and ways of working.

• Organizational Values

• Race Equity and Inclusion Statement

Compensation and Benefits

This position is classified as non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with the policies set forth by Baltimore’s Promise in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The annualized compensation for this position is $99,750. Please note that this compensation is firm. Baltimore’s Promise compensation ranges are determined by the responsibilities and level of authority required by each position as opposed to individual candidates’ qualifications or pedigree. This is an intentional attempt to mitigate pay inequities that are in part driven by systemic and implicit racism and gender bias impacting career trajectories and negotiation. However, to honor individual candidates’ unique experiences and assets, this position is eligible for a one-time hiring bonus. 

This is a full-time position with full benefits, including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield health insurance, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, paid parental leave, cellphone and mileage stipends, and support for professional development opportunities. 

Baltimore’s Promise provides a hybrid working environment that gives staff the flexibility to work remotely (within the State of MD) when not required for in-person meetings or tasks.

Please visit baltimorespromise.org/benefits to view the many additional benefits that Baltimore’s Promise offers to its hard-working staff.

Travel

Travel around Baltimore City for in-person meetings and into the office for staff meetings is a regular occurrence. Occasional travel includes national conferences, staff retreats, and meetings around the state.

To Apply

Submit the following application materials as PDFs by clicking the link below.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Statement of approach to applying race equity and inclusion lens to program implementation and partnership. (Maximum word length 250 words)

• Portfolio: Please include a portfolio of at least two artifacts for which you were primarily responsible (75%) for the visioning and completion that demonstrate your ability to excel in the competencies for this position. These artifacts should demonstrate your ability to lead and implement initiatives similar to those expected in the role. They can be in the form of project reports, project plan, strategic plans, presentations, publications, or any other relevant documents that showcase your expertise achieving impactful results. For each artifact, incorporate a brief explanation outlining your role in the project.

• Names, titles, and relational context of three professional references. We will not contact references unless you advance in the application process, and we will inform you before contacting your references.

We are reviewing application submissions and scheduling interviews on a rolling basis until August 8, 2025, and will close the position when it is filled. Please submit your materials as soon as possible.

Application materials submitted through online job platforms or by email will not be considered.

ABOUT BALTIMORE’S PROMISE

Baltimore's Promise is a citywide collaborative composed of public, business, higher education, nonprofit, community, and philanthropic leaders. We serve as a catalyst for organizing efforts and resources around a shared vision: all Baltimore City youth will travel a safe, healthy, and successful educational path from cradle to career. Baltimore’s Promise uses data to report on outcomes for children from birth through their early careers in order to understand the complex needs of our city’s children. 

We promote a data-based approach to program and policy design--one that is informed by context and lived experience of the communities affected and conducted with the participation of all stakeholders. Recognizing enduring inequalities resulting from persisting racism, ethnocentrism, sexism, and the intersections thereof, we employ a race equity lens to all aspects of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Studies have shown that women, BIPOC, and other people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications described in the job description. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse work experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in this position, and what you hope to bring to this role.

Baltimore’s Promise is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or ancestry, status as an individual with a disability who is otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of his or her position, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws. Baltimore’s Promise will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination, and any such conduct is prohibited.