Position Title: Executive Director and Fundraiser
Location: Baltimore, MD (in-person)
Position Type: Part-time (at least 20 hours per week, especially in the first 30-90 days, flexibly distributed throughout the month; includes some weekends and evenings)
Transition Period: Paid hands-on training with current Executive Director beginning on June 10, 2026
Start Date: July 1, 2026 (FY2027)
Salary Range: $35/hour
About Our Organization
Founded in 2017, Our Joyful Noise Baltimore (OJN) serves the essential human need for beauty and connection through music. Our motto, "Kinship and the Power of Music," reflects our commitment to providing free, professional-quality live musical performances and educational experiences to underserved and often forgotten communities in the Baltimore area. Our vision is of a world where all people—regardless of economic situation, disability, challenge, or circumstance—have easy access to the life-affirming splendor of live music.
Currently, our concerts reach diverse audiences, including:
- Military veterans facing homelessness and substance addiction
- People with disabilities (autism and Alzheimer's) and their families
- Incarcerated women and correctional officers
- Cancer patients and their caregivers
- Residents of underserved South and West Baltimore neighborhoods, including an after-school program
Position Overview
Our Joyful Noise Baltimore seeks a dynamic, Baltimore-based Executive Director to work with our Founder/Artistic Director to lead our community music organization. This role combines strategic leadership, community engagement, and hands-on program management. The position requires approximately 15-20 hours per week, with time allocation varying seasonally based on programming needs. The ideal candidate will combine administrative and fundraising expertise with a passion for community-based music programming and a deep commitment to serving diverse audiences.
Since its inception, the organization has been run by the Founding Executive Director. Starting on July 1, 2026, the leadership model will change to include two positions: Executive Director and Artist Director. The founder will serve as Artistic Director.
Primary Responsibilities of the Executive Director
- Work closely in collaboration with the Artistic Director and share in attendance at events
- Direct strategic planning with Board of Directors
- Lead fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, grant writing, and management of donor relationships
- Grow and diversify portfolio of funders
- Oversee financial management including budgeting, expense tracking, and tax preparation
- Maintain 501(c)(3) compliance and board relations
- Hire and manage staff and volunteers
- Manage donor communications
- Manage annual giving campaign (November-January)
- Manage media presence including website, social media, and promotional materials
- Manage communications, publicity, volunteers, supplies and other tasks for the Azure Concerts for Families Living with Autism
- Manage printing and mailing
Required Skills
- Experience in fundraising and grant writing
- Have deep roots in Baltimore
- Knowledge of Baltimore funding landscape
- Experience with Baltimore funders
- Strong organizational and project management abilities
- Financial management capabilities
- Commitment to community engagement through music
- Some knowledge of music and musicians (will have Artistic Director to lead this side of the organization)
- Excellence in written and verbal communication
- Leadership and team-building capabilities
- Reliability and trustworthiness
- Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends
- Must have driver's license and be able to drive
Physical Requirements
- Ability to transport and set up musical equipment on occasion
- Travel between various venues throughout Baltimore
- Standing for extended periods during events
Time Allocation
Based on our current activities, the Executive Director's time is allocated as follows:
- Fundraising (Grant writing, donor cultivation, campaign management) 50%
- Financial Management (Budgeting, bookkeeping, payroll, insurance, tax preparation, non-profit compliance) 10%
- Donor Relations (Newsletter printing and mailing, acknowledgements, stewardship) 10%
- Gala Coordination (Annual fundraising event planning and execution) 10%
- Azure Concert Management (Venue logistics, communication, publicity, supplies, attendance at three concerts during the season) 8%
- Concert Attendance (Direct oversight of performances, shared with Artistic Director) 5%
- Board Activities (Meeting preparation, meetings, governance support) 5%
- Website/Social Media (Manage website, Instagram, other potential sites) 2%
Compensation
OJN has a full year of operating expenses, including the salary for this position, secured for FY27 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). The new Executive Director will be responsible for fundraising to sustain programming and compensation. NOTE: Compensation would start at the beginning of the transition period on June 10, 2026.
Apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to Maria Lambros Kannen, current Executive Director, at: maria@ourjoyfulnoisebaltimore.org. Background checks will be conducted on all applicants. Applications will be reviewed starting on April 30, 2026.
Cover letters should include the following:
- Describe your background in fundraising, leadership, community engagement and music.
- What is it in particular about Our Joyful Noise Baltimore that interests you in this position?
- What are your values and skills relevant to this position and why do you think that you are you a good fit for OJN?