City Sewing Room
Executive Director – City Sewing Room
The City Sewing Room is seeking its inaugural Executive Director to build upon a strong foundation established by dedicated volunteers and successive Boards of Directors while leading the organization into its next chapter of growth and community impact.
The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, members, and community partners to advance City Sewing Room’s mission to Stitch, Teach, Share.
About Us
The City Sewing Room is a vibrant nonprofit community sewing center dedicated to inspiring creativity, education, and collaboration through sewing. We offer professional-grade studios open to sewing enthusiasts of all skill levels, an extensive schedule of classes for students of all ages, and a popular Makers’ Mart featuring deeply discounted fabrics and sewing supplies. Our sewing, quilting and embroidery studios provide specialized services while fostering a welcoming community where people come together to learn, create, and share.
Why Join City Sewing Room?
- Impactful Mission: Contribute to a mission that enriches lives through sewing education, shared experiences, and creativity.
- Innovative Environment: Be part of a dynamic organization focused on sustainability, creativity, and preserving sewing skills for future generations.
- Collaborative Culture: Work alongside a passionate Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and talented staff committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming community.
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Partner with the Board of Directors in strategic planning, organizational development, and execution of Board-approved priorities while ensuring alignment with City Sewing Room’s mission.
Resource Development & Community Engagement
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with volunteers, donors, foundations, corporations, community organizations, and other funding partners to advance the mission of City Sewing Room. Develop and implement strategies to diversify and grow sustainable revenue through individual giving, grants, sponsorships, memberships, special events, and strategic partnerships. Oversee donor stewardship, fundraising initiatives, grant development, and organizational communications that inspire community engagement and ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
Financial Stewardship
- Develop and manage the annual operating budget, monitor financial performance, and work closely with the Board to ensure responsible fiscal stewardship while supporting long-term financial sustainability through sound financial management and resource development.
Program Development
- Develop programs, partnerships, and initiatives that expand opportunities for creative education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Evaluate and strengthen existing programs while identifying opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. Provide leadership for educational programs, classes, Makers’ Mart operations, and community events that expand participation and advance the organization’s mission.
Volunteer Engagement & Organizational Culture
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and mission-driven volunteer culture that recognizes volunteers as the foundation of City Sewing Room’s success. Recruit, engage, support, recognize, and retain volunteers while creating meaningful opportunities for service, leadership, and personal growth.
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.
Community Outreach & Marketing
- Strengthen City Sewing Room’s community presence and visibility through marketing, communications, strategic partnerships, membership engagement, public outreach, and advocacy throughout the St. Louis community.
Compliance & Operations
- Develop and maintain organizational policies, procedures, and systems, and processes that support efficient operations, effective governance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
Board Relations & Governance
- Partner closely with the Board of Directors by preparing meeting agendas, providing operational and financial reports, supporting strategic planning, and implementing Board-approved policies and initiatives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree is required; MBA or related graduate degree is highly desirable. Equivalent combinations of education and executive leadership experience will be considered.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional leadership experience, including at least three (3) years in a senior management, executive leadership, or comparable decision-making role. Nonprofit leadership experience is preferred but not required.
- Experience with organizational planning, budgeting, and operational management.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, or resource development.
- Experience leading and inspiring volunteers while building collaborative relationships with staff, Boards of Directors, donors, and community partners.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a working Board of Directors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrates a proactive, adaptable, and mission-driven leadership style.
- Passion for the mission of City Sewing Room.
- Sewing experience is a plus, but not required.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for volunteers, members, students, and the broader community.
Compensation
City Sewing Room offers a competitive salary of $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
In addition, we offer a flexible and collaborative work environment, paid time off, flexible scheduling, opportunities for professional development, and a benefits package designed to support our employees as the organization continues to grow. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are committed to supporting our employees while advancing our mission.
Equal Opportunity Employer
City Sewing Room is an equal opportunity employer and celebrates diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter describing their interest in the position and how their experience aligns with City Sewing Room’s mission.
Applications should be emailed to loretta.schnurbusch@citysewingroom.org with the subject line Executive Director.
Applications will be accepted until July 18, 2026.
