Program Overview:
The
Executive Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the
daily activities and operations of the Downtown Association. The Executive
Director will work with the Downtown Association Board of Directors, Program
Partners, and Volunteer Committees to create a welcoming and economically
diverse downtown rooted in our community’s history and culture, while using The
Main Street Four-Point
Approach.*
The Four-Point Approach* is a comprehensive means to
ensure a downtown evolves as a healthy downtown by addressing the economic
challenges facing downtown, beautifying and restoring the historic heart of the
community, and promoting the downtown with fun events and quality marketing.
DBBA Scope of Work lies underneath this
Position Title: Executive Director
Position Term:
Full-time,
exempt position with evening and some weekend work Reports to: Board of
Directors via Board President with limited supervision
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Focus on the four strategic areas: Economic Vitality, Promotions,
Design, and Outreach based on the nationally recognized Main Street Approach to
downtown enhancement. The duties listed below are examples of the various type
of work that may be performed by an individual serving as the Executive
Director:
• Board and Committees: Work
independently and with the Downtown Association’s Board of Directors, program
partners, and volunteer committees to cultivate a more active, vibrant, and
sustainable downtown
• Attend board meetings to stay
informed of Board activities and directives, to keep the Board informed of
important events, and communicate appropriate Board information to the public.
Submit a monthly report and alert Board to significant developments potentially
affecting the organization and the organization’s operations.
• Support the Board in developing,
implementing and carrying out strategies for accomplishing identified
priorities, goals and objectives.
• Attend committee meetings and
meet regularly with committee chairs.
• Actively participate in educating,
training, and continually guiding the committees to accomplish their goals.
• Recruit committee and other
volunteers and promote their active and broad participation in the
organization's work.
• Develop or adapt orientation
materials; train and motivate volunteers serving as committee members.
• Create and update a database for
volunteers.
Financial:
• Work with the Chair and
Treasurer, and the Board, in preparing an annual budget and a fundraising plan.
• Manage the daily operating budget
and monitor the receipt and expenditure to assure that funds are expended to
the best advantage possible.
• Represent the Downtown
Association in approved business negotiations.
• Enter into approved business
agreements or contracts.
• Collect data and information to
support grant requests and assist the board with developing applications for
funding from foundations.
• Coordinate and submit timely
reimbursement requests for any grant funds and ensure that all grant reporting
requirements are met.
Communications:
• Serve as the primary point of
contact for the organization.
• Establish strong working
relationships with stakeholder groups at the community, state, and national
levels.
• Provide face-to-face communication with downtown stakeholders, including business
and property owners.
• Manage and disseminate inbound
and outbound communication for the organization.
• Ensure the board is kept
consistently and fully informed on the condition of the organization and all
important factors influencing it.
Program Development and
Administration:
• Develop the capacity of the
Downtown Association to implement volunteer based, locally driven projects in
downtown.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Downtown Association guided by annual goals
and work plans.
• Assist the Board of Directors in
developing and implementing both short and long-term work items that includes, but is not limited to:
o Managing and tracking data
related to the organization’s efforts, including membership, contact lists,
building inventories, economic investment, downtown vacancies, jobs creation or
retention, photo documentation, etc.
o Encouraging appropriate visual
improvements (utilizing historic preservation as a basis) to district
business/property owners;
o Recruiting and training
volunteers.
o Maintaining and developing public
and private relationships
o Fundraising, event planning, and
grant writing.
• Follow policies and procedures
pertinent to the Downtown Association’s operations and volunteer administration.
• Maintain official records and
documents, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Attend workshops and trainings
• Complete all reporting
requirement to the State Main Street Program and the City
• Supervise any staff or interns
the Downtown Association may employ
Community Engagement:
• Serve as liaison between the
Downtown Association and the community and build relationships with all
downtown business owners to create a cohesive understanding and involvement in
the Downtown Association.
• Promotes a positive
organizational image and remain available to the public.
• Stay abreast and keep the board
informed of downtown development needs and shifts, and recommends and
implements modifications to meet changing needs.
• Work with board and committees to
develop business and community partnerships.
• Analyze community resources and
develops strategies for achieving set goals.
• Present reports to City Council
and other commissions, committees, and boards as needed.
• Update and coordinate the
Downtown Association’s Event calendar.
Qualifications:
• Not required but preferred, at
least 2 years’ experience managing a Main Street program, economic or community
development initiatives, or relevant experience.
• Not required but preferred,
proven successful experience in nonprofit administration or leadership.
• Familiarity with the Main Street
Approach to downtown revitalization
• Experience in one or more of the
following areas: business/economic development, city/urban planning, marketing,
historic preservation, community organizing, or volunteer management
• Experience and interest in
fundraising; especially working with a board of directors to develop and
implement successful fundraising strategies.
• Experience fostering and
maintaining strong relationships with civic leaders and a variety of community
stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication skills
and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Experience managing and
motivating volunteers.
• Strategic thinker, problem solver
and community collaboration builder.
• Self-motivated and action-oriented.
• Strong writing skills.
• Tech-savvy with facility in MS Office applications,
Dropbox, social media, website content management, and ability to troubleshoot
basic IT issues.
• Bachelor degree is preferred,
though experience in program development and fundraising may be considered in
lieu of a degree.
• Sense of humor
Areas Of Major Time Commitment:
• Work Plan Implementation (Project
Management).
• Meetings with Downtown
Stakeholders and the Downtown Association’s Volunteer Committees.
• Management and Operations.
• Sponsorship Development.
• Outreach.
• Support for Events and Promotions.
Anticipated Results:
• Support the organizational goals
as defined by the Board of Directors.
• Encourage rehab/adaptive reuse
projects.
• Support new infill construction
projects initiated downtown.
• Business recruitment and
retention.
• Develop programs that activate
downtown.
• Expand community support of the
Downtown Association and downtown.
• Aid in the promotion of the
organization’s events, programs, and projects.
• Develop and implement a plan for
sustainable funding for the organization in partnership with the Board of
Directors.
Work Environment and Physical
Demands:
The
work environment and working conditions described are representative of those
that are typical of the job:
• A significant portion of the job
requires an “on the street” presence downtown, with the executive director
calling on businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders.
• Some of this job is performed at
downtown events including supervision of event setup, operation, and clean up.
• Occasional travel includes local,
regional, and national meetings.
• This position may regularly
require evening and weekend work.
Pay and Benefits:
The
Executive Director salary begins at $70,000 to $75,000 annual salary based on a
40-hour work week.
Other
benefits include: Sick pay, vacation pay, holiday pay, and an IRA with a 3% match. No health benefits and/or health stipend are
offered at this time.