Executive Director of the Sherman Center

Office of the Provost 

UMBC has launched The George and Betsy Sherman Center, funded with a transformational gift from the Sherman Family Foundation. It aspires to be a national leader for excellence in education in urban communities with a focus on early learning, STEM, and Baltimore. The university seeks a passionate champion for Baltimore’s children and youth, harnessing teacher preparation, school partnerships, and applied research to improve educational outcomes.

The inaugural Executive Director will provide innovative, experienced, and thoughtful leadership and executive-level management of this multifaceted university center and, through the center, will advance the university’s vision, mission, and values, which include civic engagement and social justice. They will have a keen understanding of the PreK-12 educational pipeline, the whole-child model, especially as it relates to student achievement and family engagement, and a perspective on where and how higher education should be an active participant in this work.

They will be deeply invested in building positive team cultures through a lens inclusive of equity. Additionally, they will build upon and continue to diversify the Center’s financial base of support.

The Executive Director should bring a balanced approach as a visionary and operational leader.  They will establish strategic direction for The Sherman Center, with an early emphasis on efforts to unify existing programs and partnerships of the Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities and the Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $140,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

What is it like to work at UMBC?  Check out Glassdoor or Indeed. And read about our recent award, UMBC is a 2022 Great College to Work for…. In every category .

A hybrid telework schedule may be available. 

• Champion a diverse and values-driven team culture
  • Inspire a team culture that values respect, compassion, teamwork, and accountability
  • Supervise, encourage, and develop the performance of a senior leadership team to administer programs with creativity, professionalism, sustainability, and effective teamwork
  • Define effective decision-making practices and clear communication strategies that align staff across different areas, increase belonging, and facilitate transparent working relationships
• Establish, maintain, and grow community partnerships
  
  • Externally (e.g., Baltimore City Public Schools, funding partners, strategic network of community partners, educational institutions, corporations and employers, and financial supporters)
  • Internally (e.g., build and sustain effective partnerships with on-campus constituencies including the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, and the Department of Education)
• Raise organizational profile and resources
  • Represent and promote Sherman Center’s mission, programs, and outcomes to a broad constituency
  • Identify opportunities, strategies, and partnerships that enhance the visibility of the Sherman Center’s priorities and programs
  • In coordination with the development team, play a leadership role in increasing and diversifying financial support
• Manage the Sherman Center operations
  • Center-wide budget, financial reporting and projections
  • Develop and implement a productive staffing plan

• Masters Degree in education, public policy, or a related discipline or field
• Minimum of 7 years of collaborative leadership experience in Pre- K-12 context as a school or system leader, or in university setting with informed understanding of issues facing urban school systems and families
• Seeking a skilled executive director who brings a record of successful leadership experiences to this role
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets
• Record of identifying, securing, and stewarding public and private resources; and of working with a broad range of partners, constituents, and stakeholders

• PhD in education, public policy or a related discipline or field
• Expertise/proven track record of developing and sustaining multi-level, community-engaged partnerships
• Passion for PreK-12 education and teacher development with an advanced
  understanding of issues, trends, and policies affecting educational outcomes and community development
• A strong record managing finance and operations within a complex, multi-million dollar entity
• Comfort in a highly visible role
• Nuanced and intersectional understanding of equity in educational contexts
• Proven ability to build effective and respectful relationships with people of various backgrounds, opinions, and perceptions

A background check will be required.  

Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here ):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission :

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Benefits offered align with type (Regular, Contingent II, etc.) of position.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.