Careers

About the Museum

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is Maryland’s largest African American museum and the State’s premier institution for documenting, preserving, and interpreting the history, culture, and contributions of Black Marylanders.

Located in the heart of Baltimore, the Museum opened in 2005 through a landmark $5 million endowment gift from the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation in honor of Reginald F. Lewis, the Baltimore native who became the first Black American to own a billion-dollar company.

As a Smithsonian Affiliate located in the heart of Baltimore, the Museum serves as a critical cultural, educational, and civic institution that bridges history, scholarship, contemporary dialogue, and community engagement.

The Museum currently welcomes approximately 25,000 visitors annually and possesses the strategic capacity to expand its reach to more than 65,000 visitors through enhanced exhibitions, statewide partnerships, educational initiatives, tourism engagement, immersive technology, and broader audience development.

As the institution approaches a pivotal stage of growth and transformation, the Museum seeks a dynamic, visionary, and execution-oriented President capable of strengthening operational infrastructure, expanding philanthropic support, elevating public visibility, modernizing visitor engagement, and positioning the Museum for long-term sustainability and national relevance.

Position Summary

The President serves as the chief executive officer of the Museum and is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, financial, and cultural leadership of the institution. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President provides visionary leadership while ensuring disciplined execution across all areas of the Museum.

The President is expected to lead the Museum through a period of institutional strengthening, financial growth, modernization, and statewide expansion. This executive will serve as the Museum’s primary external ambassador while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and excellence internally.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to align mission, programming, development, operations, community engagement, and long-term financial sustainability into a cohesive institutional strategy capable of supporting the Museum’s growth over the next decade and beyond.

The Museum is a public instrumentality of the State of Maryland and an independent unit in the Executive Branch. As a result, the President is subject to the Maryland Public Ethics Law, including annual financial disclosure filing requirements applicable to all Corporation personnel. Candidates should be prepared to satisfy these requirements as a condition of employment.

Strategic Leadership & Institutional Vision

The President will be responsible for establishing and implementing a comprehensive long-term institutional strategy designed to strengthen the Museum’s impact, visibility, financial position, and public relevance.

Primary Strategic Priorities

• Expand and diversify philanthropic revenue streams.
• Lead institutional strategic planning efforts.
• Strengthen development infrastructure and donor stewardship systems.
• Increase earned revenue opportunities through retail, rentals, tourism, and programming.
• Position the Museum as a nationally recognized cultural institution.
• Expand statewide and regional engagement throughout Maryland.
• Enhance operational effectiveness and organizational accountability.
• Integrate innovative technology into exhibitions and visitor experiences.
• Develop sustainable growth strategies aligned with mission and community impact.
• Elevate educational programming and audience engagement across multiple demographics.
• Complete the Museum’s pursuit of American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation.

The President must demonstrate the ability to think strategically while also ensuring measurable implementation and execution.

Capital Campaign & Fundraising Leadership

The President will serve as the institution’s lead relationship strategist and principal external fundraiser in partnership with the Development team and Board leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead major fundraising and capital campaign initiatives.
• Cultivate transformational philanthropic relationships.
• Partner with development staff to implement annual and long-range fundraising plans.
• Expand relationships with foundations, corporations, individual donors, and government agencies.
• Work closely with Board leadership to maximize donor engagement and fundraising participation.
• Develop donor pipeline strategies and stewardship systems.
• Support grant development and institutional funding opportunities.
• Establish fundraising accountability metrics and performance benchmarks.
• Participate directly in major gift solicitations and sponsorship cultivation.
• Build sustainable long-term philanthropic partnerships aligned with the Museum’s mission.

The President must possess strong executive presence, relationship-building capabilities, and demonstrated fundraising success, including exposure to major gifts and capital campaign strategy.

Board Partnership & Governance

The President will work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to advance institutional priorities, strengthen governance, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strong communication and transparency with the Board.
• Support strategic Board engagement in fundraising and relationship development.
• Collaborate with Board committees and leadership on institutional priorities.
• Align Board participation with organizational goals and accountability standards.
• Assist with governance planning and strategic initiatives.
• Leverage Board networks to strengthen partnerships, visibility, and philanthropy.

The President must recognize the Board as a critical strategic partner in advancing the Museum’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Government Relations & Public Affairs

As a state-supported institution, the President will maintain strong relationships with elected officials, state agencies, civic leaders, and public stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Museum’s primary liaison to state and governmental partners.
• Advocate for continued public investment and institutional support.
• Communicate the Museum’s educational, cultural, and economic impact.
• Navigate public funding environments strategically and diplomatically.
• Build relationships with statewide and regional leadership.
• Align institutional priorities with broader cultural, educational, and tourism initiatives.

The President should possess the ability to operate effectively within complex public and stakeholder environments.

Regional Expansion & Community Engagement

The President will expand the Museum’s reach and impact beyond Baltimore City through strategic partnerships, statewide programming, and community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic partnerships throughout Maryland, including Annapolis, Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, the Eastern Shore, and other regions.
• Expand educational and cultural outreach initiatives.
• Explore traveling exhibitions and collaborative programming opportunities.
• Strengthen relationships with schools, universities, civic organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Enhance accessibility and audience development across multiple demographics.

The President must understand the importance of positioning the Museum as both a Baltimore institution and a statewide cultural asset.

Technology, Innovation & Visitor Experience

The President will lead the modernization of the institution through thoughtful integration of technology, immersive storytelling, and innovative audience engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Support immersive exhibition experiences and digital storytelling.
• Expand virtual and hybrid programming opportunities.
• Modernize operational systems and technological infrastructure.
• Explore technology partnerships and innovation opportunities.
• Enhance visitor engagement through interactive and educational tools.
• Align technology investments with long-term institutional strategy.

The Museum seeks a leader capable of balancing historical preservation with innovation and future-focused engagement.

Financial & Operational Leadership

The President will oversee the Museum’s financial performance, operational infrastructure, and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee annual budgets, forecasting, and long-term financial planning.
• Ensure fiscal discipline and operational accountability.
• Align expenditures with revenue and institutional priorities.
• Support compliance, reporting, and risk management practices.
• Strengthen organizational systems and internal controls.
• Drive cross-departmental collaboration and performance accountability.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain strong leadership talent.
• Ensure adherence to AAM professional and ethical standards for collections care.

The President must foster a high-performing organizational culture rooted in collaboration, professionalism, accountability, and mission alignment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of senior executive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of African American history and culture.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and external relationship management.
• Experience leading complex organizations and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong strategic planning, financial management, and operational leadership skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive organizational growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in a relevant field, such as arts administration, African American studies, history, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related discipline. Demonstrated executive experience will be considered in lieu of advanced credentials.
• Museum, cultural institution, higher education, nonprofit, or public-sector leadership experience.
• Exposure to capital campaign leadership or major fundraising initiatives.
• Experience with earned revenue strategies, retail, hospitality, or public programming.
• Familiarity with digital innovation and immersive audience engagement.
• Knowledge of Maryland’s civic, philanthropic, and cultural landscape.
• Experience operating with government entities, including familiarity with State appropriations processes, public ethics compliance, and public accountability frameworks.

Compensation

$220,000 – $250,000

• Comprehensive Maryland State Employee benefits package included.
• Performance-based incentives may be considered.

Compensation is competitive and aligned with the scale, complexity, and strategic priorities of the organization while supporting the recruitment of a high-impact, mission-driven executive leader.

Organization Mission

The mission of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is to document, interpret and preserve the complex experiences, contributions, and culture of Black people. We serve as a catalyst for sustained change by providing programs and exhibitions and bold conversations that educate and challenge.

Position Summary

The Director of Development will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, grants, membership, and special initiatives.

The Director will serve as a strategic partner to the President and the Board of Directors in building a sustainable and diversified revenue strategy that strengthens the museum’s long-term financial position.

This position requires a highly strategic, relationship-driven leader who can cultivate new philanthropic and corporate partnerships, activate board networks, and leverage innovative fundraising strategies to expand the museum’s donor base locally, regionally and nationally.

The Director of Development will also oversee data-driven fundraising operations, ensuring the effective use of technology, donor analytics, and CRM systems to maximize donor engagement, stewardship and revenue generation.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with institutional priorities and growth objectives.
• Establish ambitious yet achievable annual and long-term contributed revenue goals and ensure strong performance management and accountability.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the President and Board on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and philanthropic trends.

Major Gifts & Individual Philanthropy

• Lead a robust major gifts program, personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects.
• Build and sustain deep, long-term relationships with donors through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Expand donor pipelines locally, regionally, and nationally through targeted engagement strategies.

Foundation, Government, & Corporate Partnerships

• Oversee a comprehensive institutional giving strategy, including foundation, corporate, and government funding.
• Guide prospect research, proposal development, compliance, reporting, and stewardship.
• Cultivate strategic corporate partnerships that align with the museum’s mission and brand.

Board Engagement & External Leadership

• Activate and partner with Board members to leverage networks, advance peer-to-peer fundraising, and strengthen donor relationships.
• Support Development Committee leadership and provide clear tools, data, and guidance to maximize board impact.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the museum at local, regional, and national events and convenings.

Data, Systems, & Strategy

• Leverage donor data, analytics, and technology to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Ensure data integrity, effective prospect management, and performance tracking through Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Build and refine development infrastructure, policies, and reporting practices to support scale and excellence.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing development team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Work cross-functionally with senior leadership and departments including Finance, External Relations and Marketing, Interpretation, Visitor Experiences and Education, and Special Events.
• Contribute actively to the institution-wide planning and leadership as a member of the senior management team.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and institutional fundraising.
• Proven ability to lead complex fundraising efforts and consistently achieve or exceed revenue goals.
• Experience partnering effectively with senior executives and boards in a fundraising capacity.
• Strong strategic thinker with excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with fundraising databases and analytics; Salesforce strongly preferred.
• Museum, cultural, or mission-driven institutional experience are highly desirable.

Benefits

• 10 days of vacation leave, annually
• 10 days of sick leave, annually
• 6 days of personal leave
• Retirement Plans
• A comprehensive health care program

Experience

• B.A. or B.S. degree (Preferred)
• Development: 7–10 years (Preferred)
• Donor Database Management: 5–7 years (Salesforce Preferred)
• Museum experience (Preferred)

Salary Range

$100,000 – $120,000

Organization Mission

The mission of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is to document, interpret and preserve the complex experiences, contributions, and culture of Black people. We serve as a catalyst for sustained change by providing programs and exhibitions and bold conversations that educate and challenge.

Position Summary

The Visitor Experience Associate serves as the first point of contact for museum visitors and plays a critical role in advancing the museum’s mission through exceptional customer service, operational support, and stewardship of the visitor journey.

This position supports daily admissions, retail operations as needed, gallery monitoring, and public engagement while ensuring a welcoming, safe, and professional environment for all audiences.

This is a frontline position requiring reliability, professionalism, and a strong commitment to hospitality and cultural interpretation.

The ideal candidate can work a flexible 20+ hours, not to exceed 30 hours per week, Thursdays through Mondays. Availability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings is required. The museum is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Primary Responsibilities

Visitor Services & Admissions

• Greet all visitors promptly and professionally.
• Process admissions, memberships, and program registrations using the museum’s point-of-sale system.
• Provide clear information about exhibitions, programs, amenities, and museum policies.
• Assist with group check-in and field trip coordination.
• Respond to visitor inquiries in person, by phone, and via email as assigned.

Visitor Engagement & Interpretation

• Provide tours and basic interpretive guidance about exhibitions and museum history.
• Offer wayfinding assistance and support visitor flow throughout galleries.
• Promote public programs, membership, and special events.
• Assist with light facilitation of interactive elements or visitor feedback.

Gallery Monitoring & Safety

• Monitor exhibition spaces to ensure artwork safety and policy compliance.
• Address visitor concerns respectfully and escalate issues when necessary.
• Support emergency procedures and incident reporting protocols.

Retail & Revenue Support

• Operate museum store register and maintain accurate cash handling procedures.
• Restock merchandise and maintain clean, organized displays.
• Encourage sales in alignment with museum standards.

Operational Support

• Assist with event support, public programs, and weekend activities as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and presentation standards in public-facing areas.
• Complete opening and closing procedures as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college coursework in history, museum studies, hospitality, education, or related field preferred.
• Minimum one year of customer service experience required; museum or cultural institution experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient organizational and time management skills and strong multi-tasking abilities.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, and Salesforce database systems.
• Ability to work under general direction and problem-solve under pressure.
• Ability to process information accurately and within a deadline.
• Aptitude for performing work requiring close attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize workload and change priorities on short or little notice.
• Familiarity with computers required; familiarity with Salesforce database systems a plus.
• Experience in sales and cash handling with knowledge of Point of Sale or Salesforce.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and reliability
• Cultural competency and inclusive engagement
• Team collaboration

Work Environment

This position requires extended periods of standing, active engagement with the public, and consistent presence in gallery spaces. The role operates in a fast-paced public environment with fluctuating visitor volume.

Pay Range

$17/hr – $19/hr

Organization Mission

The mission of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is to document, interpret, and preserve the complex experiences, contributions, and culture of Black people. We serve as a catalyst for sustained change by providing programs, exhibitions, and bold conversations that educate and challenge.

Position Summary

The Visitor Experience & Volunteer Manager provides day-to-day management for all frontline visitor services and the museum’s volunteer program.

This role is responsible for cultivating a welcoming, inclusive, and mission-driven visitor experience while supervising Visitor Experience Associates and Volunteers.

The Manager ensures excellence in customer service, operational efficiency, and public engagement, serving as the bridge between institutional goals and the lived visitor experience.

This position also develops and manages a robust volunteer program that enhances museum operations, supports public programs, and deepens community connection.

Key Responsibilities

Visitor Experience Management & Operations

• Lead and manage all aspects of the museum’s frontline visitor experience, ensuring alignment with institutional values and standards.
• Provide supervision, scheduling, and support for Visitor Experience Associates (VEAs).
• Establish and uphold service standards for admissions, engagement, and gallery presence.
• Monitor daily operations including admissions, gallery flow, and visitor services systems.
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty (MOD) during operating hours, including weekends and special events.
• Resolve visitor concerns with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate Visitor Experience Associates.
• Develop onboarding and ongoing training programs focused on customer service excellence, cultural competency and inclusive engagement, and exhibition knowledge and interpretation.
• Foster a team culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and hospitality.
• Create clear communication channels and regular team meetings.

Volunteer Program Management

• Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive volunteer program aligned with museum needs.
• Recruit, onboard, and train volunteers across key areas including visitor services support, public programs and events, and educational and interpretive support.
• Develop volunteer schedules and assignments to supplement frontline operations.
• Track volunteer hours, engagement, and impact.
• Cultivate a meaningful volunteer experience that encourages retention and community advocacy.

Visitor Engagement & Interpretation

• Enhance visitor engagement strategies that reflect the museum’s mission and exhibitions.
• Support and expand interpretive offerings, including tours, wayfinding, and storytelling.
• Collaborate with Curatorial and Education teams to ensure accurate and engaging content delivery.
• Analyze visitor feedback and implement improvements to the visitor journey.

Revenue Oversight

• Oversee admissions and ensure proper cash handling, POS procedures, and reporting standards aligned with VEA duties.
• Identify opportunities to enhance earned revenue through visitor experience touchpoints.

Operational Coordination & Event Support

• Coordinate staffing plans for daily operations, group visits, and special events.
• Partner with internal teams on program execution, ensuring seamless visitor-facing logistics.
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, safety, and presentation in all public areas.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and analyze visitor metrics, attendance, trends, and service performance.
• Prepare regular reports on visitor experience and volunteer program outcomes.
• Use data to inform staffing, training, and operational decisions.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Hospitality, Public History, Arts Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in visitor services, customer experience, or public-facing operations.
• Minimum 1–2 years of supervisory or management experience required.
• Experience managing or coordinating volunteer programs strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency and inclusive engagement.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities in fast-paced environments.
• Experience with POS systems and CRM platforms, including Salesforce and Tripleseat.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing operational needs.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Visitor-Centered Thinking
• Cultural Competency & Inclusion
• Operational Excellence
• Communication & Collaboration

Work Environment

This role requires a consistent on-site presence, including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings. The Manager should expect extended periods of standing, active engagement with visitors, and oversight of busy public spaces, consistent with frontline conditions described for VEAs.

Salary Range

$55,000 – $65,000

Benefits

• 10 days of vacation leave, annually
• 10 days of sick leave, annually
• 6 days of personal leave
• Retirement Plan (Maryland State Pension)
• Optional 401K
• 12 Government Holidays
• A comprehensive health care program