The Greater Baltimore Urban League (GBUL) seeks a President and Chief Executive Officer to manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the non-profit social service organization. Powered by an aim to be the preeminent social services organization in the Greater Baltimore Region, the GBUL seeks to improve the economic, cultural, social, health and educational posture of African Americans and other minorities in the city of Baltimore and surrounding counties.

The President/Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief administrator for the GBUL and is responsible to the Board of Directors; demonstrates the ability to develop, articulate and communicate the vision of the GBUL; provides leadership to the organization by administering its functions and operations; assists in the development of short- and long-range objectives; acts as principal spokesperson, and in conjunction with the Board Chair, generates new ideas and leads through completion; initiates and maintains productive and favorable relationships with staff, board, political, corporate and community leaders; keeps abreast of issues facing the African-American and minority communities; forms a disciplined approach to achieving goals and objectives; and engages in dialogue across race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, and other differences.

As the administrator of the organization, the President/Chief Executive Officer directs the day-to-day operations of the Affiliate; implements and administers Affiliate policies and procedures; demonstrates wisdom, tact, and diplomacy in managing internal and external politics; evaluates programs and services administered by the Affiliate; and engages multiple stakeholders in the mission, goals, and objectives of the Urban League.

The GBUL Affiliate serves the Greater Baltimore Region including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Queen Anne’s County as well as Baltimore City. GBUL serves a population of over 2.8 million across seven (7) municipalities including Baltimore proper (estimated to be close to 580,000 people as of 2022). This makes Greater Baltimore the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country. Furthermore, through its relationship with the NUL, GBUL reaches nationwide audiences and partners with the other Urban League Affiliates making it a strong proponent for programs that can be replicated across the country.

Our Programs & Initiatives

Supporting its commitment to service and advocacy, GBUL operates a wide range of programs that consistently achieve its collective goal to remove barriers and foster success serving the Greater Baltimore Region. Examples of programming areas include:

Youth Development – Our ability to connect with and develop area youth is a priority for GBUL. Our Youth Empowerment Program consists of the Saturday Leadership Program, a college and career readiness program with a 96% college going rate. Project Ready, a more community-based program, prepares youth through mentorship arrangements.

Entrepreneurship - The Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr. Center for Entrepreneurship helps entrepreneurs in their efforts to start or expand businesses by providing resources, offering workshops, seminars, and individual counseling by business experts. In addition, it provides technical assistance in drafting business plans and proposals and completing loans and government applications. The Black Restaurant Accelerator Program (BRAP) offers starting restauranteurs resources and workshops related to business operations, marketing, financial management, staffing, and regulations.

Workforce Development – Programs related to information technology and cyber security as well as construction are aimed at exposing participants to job opportunities and careers in those fields. Other work ready programs, including the Justice Impact Program, aim to increase employment, retention, earnings, and attainment of post-secondary credentials for students of area alternative education programs while meeting the skill requirements of employers in high demand jobs paying living wages.

The GBUL Board of Directors is completing development of a new strategic plan to reflect the programmatic, fiscal, and management priorities of the organization over the next five years. This strategic plan will serve as the foundational guide for GBUL’s commitment and efforts to address emerging and existing issues affecting African Americans and other minorities in the region. The 17-member Board of Directors reflects the long-standing alliance between the GBUL, and its corporate partners working jointly to empower communities and change lives.

The key volunteer auxiliaries, Guild and Young Professionals, contribute to advancing the GBUL’s mission. The auxiliaries provide talent ranging from management to direct service to support GBUL priorities. Last year, the two auxiliaries had over 100 volunteers conducting voter registration drives; staffing health fairs; facilitating youth leadership and parent workshops; serving on project management teams; and executing other community activities.

Organizational History

GBUL received its affiliation in 1924. It was founded by Rev. Peter Ainslie, Baltimore clergyman; John R. Cary, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Provident Savings Bank; and Dr. Charles S. Johnson, Research Director for the National Urban League, and President of Fisk University. For 100 years now, GBUL has led multiple efforts to open opportunities and integrate institutions, including the Baltimore City Fire Department, the University of Maryland, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, the Baltimore Medical Society, and the Baltimore Emergency Relief Commission. During times of crisis, GBUL, known as the voice of reason, convenes key stakeholders across sectors and acts to calm the waters.

About Our Region and City

Baltimore was established by the Constitution of Maryland and is an independent city that is not part of any county. With a population of 584,548 in 2022, Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the Baltimore Metropolitan Region is Maryland’s most populous region. As of 2022, the population of the Baltimore metropolitan area was estimated to be just under 3.2 million, making it the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country. The region is projected to have approximately 3.2 million residents by 2050.

Baltimore is located about 40 miles (60 km) northeast of Washington, D.C., making it a principal city in the fourth largest CSA in the nation. With hundreds of identified districts, Baltimore has been dubbed as “City of Neighborhoods,” but is more commonly known as “Charm City.”

Baltimore has a modern service economy led by high-tech, biotech, medicine, and tourism. Distinctive restaurants, bars, businesses, and shops can be found throughout. Several Fortune 1,000 companies like Constellation Energy, Under Armour, Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price, and Black and Decker call Baltimore home.

Resilient Baltimore is strong with urban renewal efforts that rank among the most ambitious in the United States. Downtown and many other neighborhoods have been revitalized with special attention given to the city's greatest asset - the harbor. Hotels,

office buildings and entertainment facilities like Harbor Place, the Maryland Science Center, and National Aquarium (Maryland's largest tourist attraction) continue to be major attractions.

State-of-the-art stadiums have been constructed for professional sports in Baltimore to include the Orioles (Major League Baseball), Ravens (National Football League), and Blast (Major Arena Soccer League).

All of the city’s professional sports teams play downtown, steps from the picturesque Inner Harbor and dozens of attractions. A few miles away, a billion-dollar biotechnology park attracts the world's leading scientists. Baltimore is also proud to be home of The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, American Visionary Art Museum, B&O Railroad Museum and Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park (among others) entertain and educate.

President & CEO Education & Experience Requirements:

The President/Chief Executive Officer must be proficient in and have an above average ability in the areas of management, fundraising and grant/proposal writing, fiscal administration, proposal writing, grant management, organizational skills, written and oral communications, project/program development and evaluation, human resource administration, community and public relations, and networking.

The successful applicant for the position of President/Chief Executive Officer must:

· Hold a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in business administration, social work, public administration, economics, or finance. Other disciplines may be considered based on experience and a proven track record of leadership and management in community-based organizations.

· Have at least five (5) years of senior non-profit or for-profit management experience. This should include experience in the development and implementation of service programs, program evaluation, research, advocacy, public education, fiscal management, strategic planning, and resource development.

· Prove at least four (4) years’ experience working with a volunteer board, community stakeholders, and mobilization and collaboration efforts. Management and supervisory experience are essential.

Additional qualifications include excellent organizational and communications skills, grant/proposal writing and management experience, and government/community relations’ experience. These are minimum requirements for the position of President/CEO. Prior experience within the Urban League Movement is desirable.

The President and CEO will continue to:

Establish vision and direction-setting, ensure fiscal responsibility and security, attract and leverage a powerful board, build external relations and coalitions, guide program design and deployment, and build and lead the organizational executive team.

The ideal candidate will bring a variety of experiences, including:

Experience as a chief executive or other senior level role, successful fund-raising track record, profit and loss experience, board relations and management experience, and track record of effectively working with senior corporate executives, elected and appointed officials, community groups and organizations, and public and private philanthropic leaders.