Executive Director

Job Overview

Position Title:    Executive Director

The Executive Director, as directed by the Board of Directors, is responsible for overseeing the development, management, and implementation of downtown revitalization strategies under the Main Street Approach.  The Executive Director is responsible for the overall operations, administrative, financial management, and development efforts and will facilitate the vision and long-term development of Dubuque Main Street.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Executive Director of Dubuque Main Street (DMS):

• Acts as the primary spokesperson and liaison for DMS by maintaining a high level of visibility for Dubuque Main Street (DMS) in the community. This is done by:
  • Seeking out opportunities to communicate the mission and current activities of DMS through speaking engagements, the local media, and personal appearances.
  • Calling on and visiting with financial investors of DMS.
  • Engaging Downtown business and property owners on a regular basis to better understand their needs.
  • Developing and maintaining productive partnerships with the City, the County, other economic development organizations, Main Street Iowa, and the National Main Street Center.
  • Participating in DMS events.
• Serves as the principal staff representative for the Executive, Economic Development, and Design Committees. May sit on any special committee as directed by the Executive Board.
  • Assists the Economic Development Committee in developing and implementing marketing strategies designed to recruit new businesses, retain existing business, assist expanding businesses, and fully utilize available financial incentive programs.
  • Assists the Design Committee in encouraging appropriate visual improvements (utilizing historic preservation as a basis) to downtown business/property owners.
  • Identifies development needs in downtown, including both small and large opportunities.
  • Assists the Executive Committee with the general operation of the organization, recruitment of volunteers, maintaining and developing public/private relationships, fundraising and stable funding sources (grants, sponsorships, annual campaign, etc.). Also, builds strong and productive working relationships with appropriate public agencies and non-governmental organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
• Provides one-on-one assistance to downtown businesses/property owners by connecting them to available resources and offering technical assistance, with the support of state and local partners, especially in the area of visual design improvements and business development to

• Coordinates with key stakeholders to proactively identify opportunities to increase the number of activities and events in downtown Dubuque.
• Facilitates, directs, and actively participates in fundraising, grant writing, sponsorships, and economic development.
• Administers the organizational, administrative, and personnel aspects of DMS and is responsible for all reporting and record keeping, including reporting to Main Street Iowa and to the National Main Street Center.
• Oversees the recruitment, supervision, support, and offboarding of DMS staff, volunteers, and contracted personnel.
• Responsible for maintaining and protecting the financial and physical assets of DMS.
• Ensures that DMS maintains accreditation with the National Main Street Center.
• Ensures that DMS fulfills all legal requirements in the conduct of its business affairs and adheres to the bylaws and governing principals, policies, and procedures of DMS.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Executive Committee or its designee.

Functions considered essential for performance in the position:

• Ability to function with independent judgement and skills to plan, organize, and implement all activities of DMS with minimal supervision.
• Ability to arrive at independent, informed, conclusions related to Main Street issues and take a position on such matters that conform to and further the mission of the organization.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing to read, analyze, record, and interpret technical data and financial information, review materials on a variety of projects, present facts and findings clearly and concisely, give advice and recommendations, respond to questions by members of the public, public officials, and co-workers; ability to prepare written reports, complete forms, and perform required record keeping.
• Ability to effectively delegate, coordinate, give instructions, and review work of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time. Ability to perform physical tasks including lifting objects up to 50 lbs.
• Required to occasionally work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Required to travel occasionally overnight to attend various meetings.

Qualifications of the Director will include:

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of relevant and proven work experience in one or more of the following: planning, business administration, architecture, public administration, public relations, or associated downtown revitalization fields, or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge and direct experience with event management, the Main Street movement, downtown/business district development, and historic preservation.
• A proven track record in downtown business retention, recruitment, and creation, real estate development, and marketing/public relations.
• A pro-active, market driven, and entrepreneurial approach to city center revitalization.
• Experience working for and with public-private partnerships.
• A successful history of interaction with both business and public sectors.
• The willingness and ability to assume a highly visible position as the key spokesperson and advocate for DMS.
• An ability to develop a rapport with independent individuals from the business community, real estate community, the public sector, and the community at large.
• A high ethical standard and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A management style that motivates and fosters cooperation.
• A high level of energy and commitment to the revitalization of Downtown Dubuque.
• An intimate working knowledge of the community as a whole and specifically Downtown. Therefore, the Director must be a resident of Dubuque or be willing to relocate to Dubuque within 90 days.
• Maintain regular office hours, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Director must also be available for DMS activities or meetings that require attendance outside regular business hours.  In addition, the position requires on-site supervision of events and meetings outside of normal business hours.  Thus, the position requires some elements of a flexible schedule.  The Executive Director is a salaried/exempt position.
• Ability to effectively utilize modern office and information technologies and strong knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office.
• Frequent independent travel throughout the city is required.

Application deadline: Thursday, June 30th