Director of Programs & Community Engagement

The Enoch Pratt Free Library seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as Director of Programs & Community Engagement. This senior role is a systemwide leader responsible for how people at every stage of life engage with and experience the library. The Director provides strategic direction for age-level services, public programming, and social impact services that advance the library’s mission to promote lifelong learning, literacy, and equitable access to information and resources for all members of the Baltimore community.

The Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of innovative and responsive programs and initiatives across the library’s 22 locations. This position is responsible for establishing systemwide priorities, quality standards, and evaluation frameworks that ensure consistent, high-quality, and community-centered service delivery.

As a member of the Education & Library Services leadership team, the Director provides guidance and strategic direction to senior managers who serve as systemwide subject matter experts in age-level services, public programs, and social impact initiatives. Together, this team shapes how the library engages children, teens, adults, and older adults through meaningful experiences, inclusive environments, and community-driven programming.

The Director also oversees departmental policies, budgets, and procurement activities, ensuring responsible stewardship of public, grant, and private resources. This role works closely with internal divisions, government and community partners, and donors to expand access, strengthen engagement, and deepen the library’s impact across Baltimore City.

Department: Programs and Outreach

Location:  400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Salary: $98,000 to $135,000 per year

Job Type: On-site Full-Time, Benefits Included

Summary of Duties:

• Provides strategic leadership for age-level services, public programming, social impact services, and community engagement initiatives that advance the library's mission, vision, and strategic plan.

• Leads the development, implementation and continuous evaluation of innovative, equitable, and responsive public programs and initiatives that reflect community needs and organizational priorities across the library’s 21 branch locations and Central Library.

• In collaboration with the Executive Director of Education & Library Services, establishes systemwide goals, standards, priorities, and evaluation processes for library programming and services to ensure consistency, quality, and strategic alignment.

• Provides leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to five senior managers, fostering innovation, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

  • Deputy Director of Social Impact Services

  • Manager of Program Operations

  • Managers of Adult Services, Young Adult Services, and Children’s Services

• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental policies, procedures, and operational practices that promote effective and equitable service delivery.

• Oversees Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and negotiates vendor contracts and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in support of library programs, services, and strategic partnerships.

• Develops and administers departmental budgets in alignment with organizational priorities, including preparation of annual private fund budget requests for presentation to the Board of Trustees.

• Monitors expenditures, allocates resources strategically, and ensures responsible stewardship of public, grant, and private funds to support the Library's mission and strategic priorities.

• Collaborates with the Department of Institutional Advancement on grant development and sponsorship requests to support existing and new library programs and services.

• Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and other groups to strengthen educational opportunities, community engagement, and equitable access to library services.

• Leads or participates in cross-functional initiatives that advance organizational priorities and improve the effectiveness of public library services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Seven years of experience in a multi-branch public library system.

• Two years of supervisory experience.

• Experience managing large-scale programs, budgets, and partnerships.

• Authorized to operate a motor vehicle in the city of Baltimore, and/or have access to reliable transportation to travel within Baltimore city.

• Physical Requirements: Physical exertion such as standing; or recurring activities such as bending, crouching, reaching; pushing loaded book trucks; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as boxes of books or journals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MLS or MLIS degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in English, Education, or a related field.

• Public Librarian Certificate or Library Associate Training Institute (LATI) certification.

• Experience managing or working in a union environment.

• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of equity-centered service design, program evaluation, and data-informed decision-making.

• Knowledge of budget administration, procurement processes, and stewardship of public, grant, and private funding sources, including oversight of RFPs, contracts, and MOUs.

• Ability to lead through senior managers and develop high-performing and accountable teams.

• Skill in using data to evaluate programs, monitor performance, and inform decision-making.

• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, or institutional partners.

• Skill in written and verbal communication, including the ability to represent the organization and connect with diverse audiences.

• Ability to translate community needs, data, and emerging trends into equitable and responsive service strategies.

• Ability to manage multiple, complex, and competing priorities in a large, multi-branch environment while maintaining strategic focus.

Other Duties: Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Notes:  Full-time position with a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends to support library programs and operations.

Position of Trust: Those under final consideration for appointment will be required to authorize the release of and successfully complete a criminal conviction check.

Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

Please Attach Your Resume To Be Considered.

THE ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER