Job Description
Work Objectives
The Harrodsburg First Executive Director coordinates activities within a downtown or commercial district revitalization program that utilizes historic preservation as an integral foundation for downtown economic development. He/she is responsible for the development, conduct, execution and documentation of the Harrodsburg First program. The Executive Director is the principal, on-site staff person responsible for coordinating all program activities and volunteers, as well as representing the community regionally and nationally as appropriate. In addition, the Executive Director should help guide the organization as its objective for implementing a downtown revitalization evolves.
Full Range of Duties to be Performed
The Executive Director should carry out the following tasks:
· Coordinate the activity of the Harrodsburg First program committees, ensuring that communication among committees is well established and assists committee volunteers with implementation of work plan items.
· Manage all administrative aspects of the Harrodsburg First program, including purchasing, record keeping, budget development, accounting and assisting with the preparation of reports to funding agencies, and supervising employees or consultants.
· Develop in conjunction with Harrodsburg First Board of Directors, downtown economic strategies that are based on historic preservation and utilize the community’s human and economic resources.
· Become familiar with all persons and groups directly and indirectly involved with Harrodsburg’s downtown, being mindful of the roles of various downtown interest groups, assisting the Harrodsburg First Board of Directors and committees in developing an annual action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program focused on four areas: design/historic preservation; promotion and marketing; organization/management and economic restructuring/development.
· Develop and conduct on-going public awareness and education programs designed to enhance appreciation of the downtown’s assets and to foster an understanding of the Harrodsburg First program’s goals and objectives. Use speaking engagements, media interviews, and personal appearances to keep the program in the public eye.
· Assist individual tenants or property owners with physical improvement projects through personal consultation or by obtaining and supervising professional design consultants; assist in locating appropriate contractors and materials; when possible, participate in construction supervision; provide advice and guidance on necessary financial mechanisms for physical improvements.
· Assess the management capacity of major downtown organizations and encourage improvements in the downtown community’s ability to carry out joint activities such as promotional events, advertising, appropriate store hours, special events, business assistance, business recruitment, parking management, and other activities. Provide advice and information on successful downtown management. Encourage a cooperative climate among downtown interests and local public officials.
· Advise downtown merchants’ organizations and/or Chamber of Commerce retail committees of Harrodsburg First program activities and goals; help coordinate joint promotional events such as festivals or business promotions improve the quality and success of events and attract people to downtown; work closely with local media to ensure maximum coverage of promotional activities; encourage design excellence in all aspects of promotion to advance an image of quality for the downtown.
· Help build strong and productive relationships with appropriate public agencies at the local and state levels.
· Develop and maintain data systems to track the progress of the local Main Street program. These systems should include economic monitoring, individual building files, photographic documentation of physical changes, and statistics on job creation and business retention.
· Represent the community to important constituencies at the local, state, and national levels. Speak effectively on the program’s directions and work, mindful of the need to improve state and national economic development policies as they relate to commercial districts.
· Responsible for researching and writing grants to assist in funding downtown promotion, beautification and economic development projects.
Resource Management Responsibilities
The Executive Director supervises any necessary temporary or permanent employees, as well as professional consultants. He/she participates in personnel and project evaluations. The Executive Director maintains local Harrodsburg First program records and reports, establishes technical resource files and libraries. The Executive Director monitors the annual program budget and maintains financial records.
Job Knowledge and Skills Required
The Executive Director should have education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: commercial district management, economics, finance, public relations, planning, business administration, public administration, retailing, volunteer or non-profit administration, architecture, historic preservation, and/or small business development. The Executive Director must be sensitive to design and preservation issues and must understand the issues confronting downtown businesspeople, property owners, public agencies, and community organizations. The Director must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Supervisory skills are desirable.
Full time.
Salary: $35,000-$40,000