Executive Director Search

Garfieldcenter; Chestertown (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation & sick leave

Holidays

Personal leave

Bereavement leave

Maryland Saves retirement

Professional development

Expense reimbursement

Job summary

The Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre in Chestertown, Maryland seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the organization and its historic venue. Reporting to the Board, you will guide budgeting, fundraising, partnerships, and program development to sustain and grow a thriving arts ecosystem.

You will oversee staff and volunteers, foster community engagement, and champion high-quality programming across theatre, music, education,

Qualifications

• Significant executive or nonprofit leadership experience.
• Proven fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant development success.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and planning skills.
• Experience with strategic planning and growth initiatives.
• Ability to work with boards, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to nonprofit arts mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-range strategic planning with the Board.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
• Strengthen financial stability through sustainable fundraising.
• Lead major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and campaigns.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and funders.
• Provide regular financial and organizational reports to the Board.
• Serve as public spokesperson and advocate.
• Build partnerships with community leaders and organizations.
• Oversee staffing, volunteering, and staff development.
• Oversee the Prince Theatre stewardship and capital plans.
• Guide artistic and educational programming oversight.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Financial management

Nonprofit leadership

Board relations

Donor cultivation

Grant development

Staff leadership

Communication

Partnership building

Job description

Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre

Chestertown, Maryland

Position Overview

The Garfield Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks an experienced Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the organization and its home, the historic Prince Theatre in Chestertown, Maryland. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for organizational sustainability, fundraising and development, financial management, community engagement, artistic oversight, and staff leadership.

The Garfield Center presents a diverse range of theatrical productions, concerts, educational programs, community events, and rentals, serving more than 10,000 audience members annually. The Executive Director works closely with the Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to strengthen the organization’s financial position, expand fundraising capacity, build strategic partnerships, and support high-quality programming.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Finance, and Development

• Lead long-range strategic planning in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
• Strengthen the organization’s financial stability and sustainability.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, annual campaigns, and capital campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and public funding partners.
• Provide regular financial and organizational reports to the Board.

Community Engagement and External Relations

• Serve as the primary public representative and advocate for the Garfield Center.
• Build relationships with community leaders, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and arts organizations.
• Develop partnerships that support programming, fundraising, and audience development.
• Strengthen volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition efforts.
• Expand the organization’s visibility and impact throughout the region.

Staff and Organizational Management

• Supervise and support staff, including the Theater Manager.
• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain employees and volunteers.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven organizational culture.
• Ensure effective administrative, financial, and human resource practices.
• Oversee stewardship of the historic Prince Theatre and support facility planning and capital improvements.

Artistic and Educational Oversight

• Work with the Programming Committee to develop a season of theatrical, musical, educational, and community programming.
• Serve as Executive Producer of productions and special events.
• Oversee educational programs, youth initiatives, camps, and community outreach efforts.
• Ensure programming aligns with the mission, audience interests, and financial goals of the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Significant executive, senior management, or nonprofit leadership experience.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant development.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and business planning skills.
• Experience leading strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives.
• Experience working effectively with governing boards, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with donors, businesses, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Experience working in a collaborative, community-based environment.
• Commitment to the mission of a nonprofit arts organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading or participating in capital campaigns and/or major fundraising initiatives.
• Leadership experience in a performing arts, cultural, educational, or community-based nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of theater operations, producing, licensing, contracting, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Experience overseeing educational, youth, and outreach programming.
• Experience with audience development, marketing, and patron engagement.
• Familiarity with volunteer-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of or connections within Maryland’s Eastern Shore region.

Job Start Date: December 1, 2026; Position open until filled

Benefits: group health insurance (50% employer-paid premium), paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, personal leave, bereavement leave, participation in Maryland Saves retirement program, professional development support, and reimbursement of approved business expenses.