Executive Director, Baltimore Jewelry Center
The Baltimore Jewelry Center (BJC) is at a turning point and we’re looking for a dynamic, visionary Executive Director to lead us into our next chapter. As we bid farewell to our founding director, Shane Prada, we’re excited to welcome a leader who can build on our strong foundation and guide us into a bold future.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and community. You’ll work closely with our staff, board, and broader community to expand the BJC’s reach, grow our impact, and strengthen our national and international profile, all while rolling up your sleeves to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. We’re looking for someone who’s energized by collaboration, believes in the power of arts education, and is ready to foster a culture of transparency, creativity, and care. Most of all, they will see leadership as a form of service: both to the organization and to the diverse creative communities that BJC exists to support.
About the Baltimore Jewelry Center
Since 2013, the Baltimore Jewelry Center has been building a vibrant creative community where contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing thrive. Born out of the closure of MICA’s Jewelry Program, BJC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers classes, exhibitions, residencies, and outreach programs welcoming artists at every level, from absolute beginners to seasoned professionals.
Our mission is grounded in accessibility, excellence, and the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage in a creative education. We’re proud to reduce barriers to the arts by offering scholarships, subsidized tuition, and partnerships with local schools. As the only organization of our kind in the mid-Atlantic, the BJC is not just preserving the tradition of metalsmithing: we’re evolving it, engaging new audiences, and pushing the field forward.
With an annual budget of approximately $800,000 and a dedicated team of five staff members, the BJC plays a vital role in the Baltimore arts ecosystem and beyond.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re not just hiring for a skillset, we’re looking for someone with the energy, creativity, and heart to lead a thriving arts community. Here’s what matters most to us:
A Big-Picture Thinker and Doer
You have a bold vision for the future and the ability to bring people along with you.
You’re just as comfortable dreaming big as you are managing the small details that keep an organization running.
You believe strong leadership means treating people with respect, creating fair opportunities for growth, and fostering a welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds feel respected, valued, and able to thrive.
You are able to multitask effectively across a broad range of skills, quickly shifting gears and prioritizing tasks.
A Community-Builder and Connector
You love people (makers, students, donors, board members, community partners) and you know how to meet them where they are.
You’re a great listener who builds trust and fosters authentic relationships.
You believe collaboration and transparency are essential ingredients for a thriving community.
A Steady Hand on Operations and Finances
You’re equally at home with budgets and spreadsheets as you are in a busy studio.
You know how to manage staff through one-on-one meetings and collaborative teamwork and are comfortable taking on the lead in hiring and onboarding.
Financial reports don’t intimidate you and they inform your smart decision-making.
You’ve successfully raised money through grants and donor relationships, and you know how to build sustainable fundraising strategies.
You’re an excellent grant writer and adept at creating effective and engaging reports for funders. You bring energy to fundraising and know how to engage the staff and board in building fundraising capacity to support the BJC’s mission.
A Strong Communicator and Advocate
You’re a storyteller who can capture the BJC’s mission and impact with clarity, enthusiasm, and heart.
Whether writing a grant report or speaking to a packed room, you know how to move people to action.
You’re ready to be the BJC’s public face, building connections near and far. You’re comfortable and effective at engaging a wide range of stakeholders. You connect easily with everyone from first-time visitors and makers to donors and government officials.
Someone People Want to Work With
You’re adaptable, approachable, and genuinely excited about what you do.
You lead with respect, optimism, and a belief in the power of art to bring people together.
You see leadership not as a title, but as a service to the organization, to its people, and to its mission.
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management
Lead long-term visioning and strategic planning in collaboration with the Board and staff.
Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure all of the BJC’s 20+ programs align with our mission and values.
Guide program development and expansion to deepen our impact and reach.
Build strategic partnerships with organizations in the arts, education, and philanthropy.
Financial Management and Fundraising
Develop and manage the BJC’s $800k annual budget with a focus on sustainability and transparency. Create and manage financial statements and make adjustments to the budget as needed.
Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing and management, donor cultivation, annual campaigns, and planned giving.
Explore new ways to grow revenue and support the BJC’s mission over the long term, conceiving and developing alternative revenue streams when needed.
Board Relations and Governance
Serve as the key liaison to the Board of Directors, keeping them informed and engaged.
Support Board development, including governance, fundraising, and recruitment efforts.
Public Relations and Communications
Be the face and voice of the BJC, representing the organization locally, nationally, and internationally.
Build strong relationships with donors, makers, students, community leaders, and partners.
Oversee the organization’s communications strategy from media relations to community outreach.
What You’ll Bring
We’d love it if you have:
5+ years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or related organization.
A Bachelor’s degree (a Master’s or equivalent experience is a plus).
A strong track record in fundraising, including grant writing and donor development.
Experience managing budgets and overseeing financial operations.
Experience developing strategic plans and driving organizational growth.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in public speaking.
Familiarity with the arts field (contemporary craft, art jewelry, and/or metalsmithing is a plus)
Comfort with office and donor management tools (e.g., Google Suite, Excel/Word/PPT, Donor Perfect, fundraising platforms, etc.).
Location and Work Environment
This role is based in Baltimore, Maryland, where the BJC’s studio, gallery, and office is located. While much of the work is in-person to support our community and programs, there is some flexibility for remote work depending on organizational needs. You can also expect occasional evening and weekend hours for events as part of the fun of being at the heart of a creative community.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $80,000–$95,000, depending on experience.
Benefits: Health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plan with employer contribution, life insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (plus standard holidays), access to the BJC’s professional jewelry/metalsmithing studio, 50% discount on classes and workshops, and a professional development stipend.
Anticipated start date: October 2025 (flexible)
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following materials as a single PDF to boardpresident@baltimorejewelrycenter.org by August 20:
A cover letter: Tell us why you are interested in this role, how your experience aligns with the BJC’s mission and values, what draws you to the Baltimore Jewelry Center, and how your background and experience have prepared you to lead an organization like the BJC.
Your CV: highlighting leadership, fundraising, financial management, and strategic experience.
A leadership statement (max 2 pages) that addresses:
What excites you about leading the Baltimore Jewelry Center?
How would you nurture the BJC community while evolving our programs and impact? What opportunities do you see for the BJC’s growth in the next decade?
Your approach to leadership and how you would foster a healthy, creative, and accessible culture.
What experience do you bring in building sustainable programs, partnerships, or funding strategies?
List of three references: Include their name, email, and phone number as well as how you are connected to them.
Baltimore Jewelry Center Instructor
Location: Baltimore, MD
Job Start Date: TBD
We’re seeking an instructor who is passionate about metalsmithing and art jewelry and loves engaging with students in a variety of settings from the studio to community events. You’ll need a strong background in metalsmithing or art jewelry. You will work closely with a very small programming team to plan classes and workshops for the BJC and our partners.
Responsibilities.
Content Creation. You’ll be creating and/or editing worksheet, handouts, presentations and materials lists
Student Support. Answering questions, brainstorming and working one on one with students helps them succeed
Class Organization. Class flow and productivity to important to our students, the instructor needs to be on time an prepared.
Qualifications
We’re looking for a patient, people-oriented individual, who is able to create a safe space for students and artists at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. Here are the qualities we’re looking for in a new team member.
You have strong time management skills and the ability to work independently.
You’ll be a flexible worker in order to meet the demands of a fluctuating studio environment.
You have superb organizational and communication skills.
You’re passionate about education and making. Your core passion is the metals and jewelry field.
You truly enjoy assisting students and other users of a metals and jewelry studio.
This job includes non-traditional hours (nights and weekends). There will be occasional off-site educational events with partnering groups like the Walters Art Museum. Attendance at onsite events, like exhibition openings and community potlucks, is strongly encouraged as your schedule allows.
Competencies and experience:
Background in metalsmithing/jewelry (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Metals/Jewelry highly preferred, or comparable experience)
Teaching experience (particularly in community and multi-generational settings)
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities
Pay and Benefits:
Pay will be dependent on experience and the course being taught
Application Process
Applicant must submit a full application packet via email to info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org
A brief cover letter detailing why you want to work as an instructor at the Baltimore Jewelry Center, and why you believe your qualifications and past experience make you the ideal candidate for the position.
Your resume or CV which must list work experience and education, as well as related artistic experience (exhibitions, etc.)
2-3 professional references (a list of names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses).
Digital portfolio of 5-10 examples of your work (link or pdf with a maximum size of 10MB).
Optional: Digital portfolio of work of students you have taught, 3-5 examples (link or pdf with a maximum size of 10MB)
Contact us at info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org if you’re interested in this opportunity and for more information.
Baltimore Jewelry Center Intern
Location: Baltimore, MD
Taking Applications on a rolling basis
NOTICE: Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 Internship positions have been filled. Please apply for Fall 2025.
Positions filled as needed
We are currently seeking an intern to assist with a variety of studio management and maintenance tasks, including but not limited to answering the door and greeting students and visitors, leading tours of the space, assisting students and renters with their work, running class, rental, and retail sales, helping with social media, and general tool maintenance. The ideal candidate is passionate about metalsmithing and art jewelry and loves engaging with people. In exchange for 6 hours a week of service to the studio, the intern will receive a tuition waiver for the class of their choice and unlimited rental for the duration of the course.
Responsibilities
Support students and renters. This means everything from answering questions and assisting students and renters in the studio.
Studio Management. You’ll be maintaining studio systems, inventory and keeping the studio organized and tidy. That means prepping supplies, monitoring supply use, logging renters’ and students’ studio usage, and conducting commercial transactions with students and renters for classes and bench rental.
Qualifications
We’re looking for a patient, people-oriented individual, who is able to create a safe space for students and artists at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. Here are the qualities we’re looking for in a new team member.
You’re eager to work in a creative and dynamic team environment, developing new ideas, brainstorming, and problem solving.
You take initiative and are proactive: asking questions, making recommendations, offering help, and suggesting ideas are qualities we value.
You have strong time management skills and the ability to work independently.
You’ll be a flexible worker and nimble thinker in order to meet the demands of a fluctuating studio environment.
You’re conscientious, working carefully and thoroughly, and take ownership.
You have superb organizational and communication skills.
You’re passionate about education and making. Your core passion is the metals and jewelry field, and you’re driven to promote and expand access to educational opportunities within the field.
You truly enjoy assisting students and other users of a metals and jewelry studio.
Application Process
Applicant must submit a full application packet via email to info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org
A brief cover letter detailing why you want to work as an intern at the Baltimore Jewelry Center
Your resume or CV which must list work experience and education, as well as related artistic experience (exhibitions, etc.)
2 professional references (a list of names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses).
Digital portfolio of 3-5 examples of your work (link or pdf with a maximum size of 10MB).
Contact us at info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org if you’re interested in this opportunity and for more information.
NOTICE: Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 Internship positions have been filled. Please apply for Fall 2025.