Executive Director, Baltimore Heritage Area Association, Inc., Baltimore, Md.
THE ORGANIZATION
The Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA) is one of 13 certified heritage areas in Maryland and one of 49 Congressionally-designated national heritage areas. BNHA works to accomplish its mission through a variety of products and programs, including hosting guided walking tours, developing new heritage tourism products, and providing grants that encourage tourism and historic preservation.
The mission of the Baltimore National Heritage Area is to promote, preserve, and enhance Baltimore’s historic and cultural legacy and natural resources for current and future generations.
The Baltimore National Heritage Area is managed through the non-profit Baltimore Heritage Area Association, Inc. The association maintains strong partnerships with the City of Baltimore and Visit Baltimore (the city's convention and visitors’ bureau). The association's board of directors supervises the management of the heritage area. An advisory committee, comprised of civic and community leaders, provides guidance and support.
With state heritage area designation, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority provides technical, planning and limited financial assistance to BHNA to promote tourism development, economic growth, preservation, and conservation. With federal designation, the BNHA receives technical, planning, and limited financial assistance from the National Park Service.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Heritage Area Association, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership and overall supervision for all aspects of the organization’s operations on a day-to-day and a strategic long-term basis including personnel, resource development, fiscal management, program management, and public relations.
The Executive Director oversees the administration, growth and development of high impact programs while maximizing the agency’s resources to the greatest benefit for its partners and the City of Baltimore. The Executive Director develops innovative and practical strategies in order to sustain the organization through effective and valuable programs and funding opportunities. He/she serves as the primary face for the organization, responsible for developing relationships among diverse constituencies including city, state, and federal legislators, and effectively communicates the message/vision of BNHA. The Executive Director builds and maintains collaborative relationships on behalf of BHNA with multiple constituencies, stakeholders, government officials, community leaders, corporate entities, the tourist industry, education community and other non-profits, the Baltimore community and national and international visitors.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Executive Director is responsible for managing the BNHA staff and for the heritage area’s fiscal integrity: making sure policies and procedures are followed, allowing for maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. The Executive Director oversees the activities of external consultants who may include: project management, relationship and advocacy, financial and accounting services, legal representation, and real estate and asset acquisition or divestiture.
As a major grant provider — as well as recipient of local, state, and federal funds — the grants management aspect of the position is paramount.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
He/She guides the planning and operation of the organization’s annual budget. Oversees the adequacy and soundness of the organization’s financial structure and performance. Reviews and approves contracts for services or supervises delegation of this function.
He/She works with staff to apply for grants and private funding to support the initiatives of the organization. This includes regular applications to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, National Park Service, and numerous other opportunities that become available.
He/She develops and maintains innovative funding sources for existing and/or new programs.
He/She oversees the heritage area’s annual audit.
MANAGEMENT
He/She directs and supervises the organization’s operations to ensure efficiency, quality, service and cost effective management of resources.
He/She oversees the programs and the BNHA management plan and ensures requirements are achieved to remain in good standing as a National Heritage Area as directed by National Park Service/Department of Interior and the United States Congress. Examples of programs include the heritage area’s three outgoing grant programs (Small Cap grants, Heritage Investment Grants, and Neighborhood Placemaking Grants); managing the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority project grant applications; Kids in Kayaks; Every Kid in a Park; and other programs (e.g. Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore) that arise periodically.
He/She ensures the legal and ethical integrity of the organization.
He/She delegates the authority necessary to manage the organization effectively. Ensures the proper policies, procedures, systems, and controls are in place.
He/She recruits, engages, motivates, and retains staff and partner organizations to realize the BNHA’s vision and in order to successfully deliver its programs and services. Currently the BNHA employs three full-time staff, a part-time grants administrator, and 12 to 15 seasonal Urban Rangers.
He/She leads a well-functioning team, ensuring that operations are being executed in accordance with the organization’s policies while building and nurturing a collaborative environment.
He/She fosters a smoothly functioning, efficient organization that advances the organization’s mission and strategic goals, adapts to meet new organizational opportunities and changes in the external context, integrates solutions, anticipates problems, effectively resolves disruptions, conducts annual performance staff evaluations, and monitors internal systems.
He/She provides a positive work environment in which staff members experience commitment, trust, excellence, respect, collegiality, and enjoy opportunities for professional development.
STRATEGIC PLANNING:
He/She develops the vision and strategic plans for the organization; establishes current and long term goals and objectives in collaboration with the Board of Directors, advisory committees, and staff.
He/She works with the Board of Directors and leadership team to review, update and measure progress toward long range and near term goals and objectives. Leads and develops the strategic planning process, guiding the organization’s growth.
PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
He/She ensures heritage area grants and programs deliver their promised performance and other outcomes; complying with the pertinent laws, regulations, guidance, and policies.
He/She sets high standards of quality for the programs and recommends new programs and the modification (or discontinuation) of current programs based upon the heritage area’s comprehensive management plan.
He/She reviews quality and programming results of the organization, compares them to established objectives, and takes steps to ensure that appropriate measures are enacted to correct unsatisfactory results.
He/She monitors current and future business and industry trends and the development of strategies to address those trends.
BOARD RELATIONS:
He/She communicates with the board, providing timely and accurate information so that the board can function properly; enabling the Board to make informed decisions.
He/She keeps Board members informed of in all aspects of the organization through a variety of formal and informal meetings with individuals, committees, along with regular full board meetings.
He/She attends all meetings of the Board of Directors or operational committee meetings. In collaboration with the Board, he/she assists in recruitment and orientation of new board members. He/she plans annual meetings as outlined by the organization’s bylaws.
EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
He/She acts as a spokesman for the organization, and promotes the organization to local, regional, national, and international constituencies. Organizations of note include the following: Visit Baltimore, Office of the Mayor, Maryland Office of Tourism, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Coalition of Maryland Heritage Areas, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Greater Baltimore History Alliance, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and Maryland Historical Trust.
He/She oversees and participates in legislative advocacy for the organization and partners when appropriate.
He/She creates innovative partnerships with businesses or other institutions that contribute to the agency’s resources, building these alliances and partnerships for impact and growth.
He/She identifies opportunities for geographic and industry expansion of the organization, and directs implementation of such activities.
