Executive Director - Short North Alliance

Organization Overview Alliance (SNA) mission is to nurture the Short North Arts District in Columbus, as a vibrant, balanced residential, cultural and business community; and as a regional and national destination. The Short North is recognized as one of the nation’s most culturally rich, diverse and unique Arts Districts; where people come to live, work, play and visit.

The SNA is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. It is governed by a 19-member board of directors who represent the commercial property owners, residential property owners and business owners in the service area of the Short North Special Improvement District (the area roughly bounded by Pearl Street, Seventh Avenue, Wall Street, and Convention Center Drive). The Alliance is part service organization, part marketing firm and part planning/development agency.

District Services The SNA works under contract with the Short North Special Improvement District (SNSID) to provide all maintenance and management services expected of the SNSID by property owners throughout the service area. Through the Ambassador Program, this includes district cleanup (removal of all trash from public right- of-ways), removal of graffiti and tagging, maintenance of green spaces, maintenance of certain elements in the public right-of-way. The ambassador team also serves on-street hospitality and safety functions. They welcome guests to the district, answer questions and proactively provide information. They are also the district’s first line of defense in dealing with aggressive panhandling, drunken/disorderly conduct, and other public nuisances. The ambassador team varies seasonally from 2 employees in the winter to 5 in the summer.

District Communications The SNA strives to connect all constituents of the service area and to keep them informed of district developments as well as the initiatives of the SNA. The SNA engages with developers and landlords to help influence the mix of recruited tenants and tackle challenges and opportunities facing the district. The SNA engages with existing business tenants to improve their business success and maintain their connectedness to the business and residential communities.

Development The SNA is tasked with raising 30% - 50% of its annual operating funds as well as dollars for special projects. This includes grant writing, sponsorships, Friends of the Short North programs, and fund-raising events such as the Gala and HighBall. Future projects to be funded include: district-wide street décor for the winter holidays, public art installations, and a complete overhaul of the district’s website, shortnorth.org.

Marketing The SNA generates earned media (editorial) via press releases and promotional activities. The SNA manages district-wide collaborations (such as the winter sale, the summer sale, and holiday programming). The SNA manages several strategic events, including Gallery Hop, the Short North Gala and HighBall Halloween. The SNA is responsible for district-wide marketing tools such as shortnorth.org, pocket maps, way-finding kiosks, and all forms of online and social media. Via a strong partnership with Experience Columbus, the SNA is aggressively developing tourism opportunities to attract new audiences to the district, including: convention attendees, day-trippers, and suburbanites. The SNA regularly generates regional and national exposure for the district.

Among the priorities facing the Short North Alliance in 2013 are: • Fulfill contractual agreement with Short North Special Improvement District • Increase operations and project revenue to advance additional goals (likely by maximizing the potential of HighBall) • Maximize district-wide infrastructure improvement project with the City of Columbus • Participate in and spearhead safety improvement initiatives • Participate in and spearhead parking/district access initiatives • Continue to strongly brand and market the district

In addition to the Executive Director, the SNA staff consists of two full-time and one part-time office staff, 2-5 ambassadors (varies seasonally), and 3-8 student interns (depending upon project load).

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Vision Statement of the Short North Arts District An urban community and destination; recognized as one of the nation’s most culturally rich, diverse and unique Arts Districts; where people come to live, work, play and visit. Constantly evolving… • celebrates the authentic, • defines the distinctive, • enhances access and mobility, • respects the environment, • exudes “clean and safe”, • embraces the diverse, • inspires the creative. • Always vibrant.

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SNA Mission Statement To nurture the Short North Arts District as a vibrant, balanced residential, cultural and business community; and as a regional and national destination, by: • Advocating for and connecting the Short North with all of Columbus • Improving public space infrastructure, access to and mobility within the Short North • Creating a dynamic environment conducive to the arts • Collaborating on marketing and programming initiatives that benefit the Arts District • Developing resources to accomplish the Alliance’s goals • Creating a clean and safe environment

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Short North Alliance Executive Director Search Criteria and Information

The Search Committee will be seeking candidates who exemplify the following:

Experience • Preferred educational background: Bachelor’s Degree and/or extensive experience in Business/Management/Marketing or allied fields; • Preferred professional background: 10 years professional related experience; • Preferred minimum of five years’ experience working in a leadership role for a not-for- profit organization, including supervising staff and working with a board of directors; • Preferred former positions: CDO, Ex. Director, Director, Owner, etc…; • Experience in Community or Public Relations; • Strong understanding of how a not-for-profit organization functions; • Strong project management history; • Strong history of strategic networking; • Strong fundraising experience, including: special events, public sector funding and community campaigns with proven results; • Demonstrated sound fiscal responsibility; • Experience in marketing and/or following Brand Guidelines.

Key Skills and Traits • Willingness to act as a committed community leader with integrity and vision; • Possess strong strategic planning and visioning skills, communication skills, and public speaking skills along with good collaboration skills • Comfortable with an extremely broad mix of constituents; • Ability to envision a desired outcome and lead others to successful completion; • Strong organization and project management skills; • Ability to maximize limited resources to accomplish aggressive goals; • Highly motivated, self-starter; • Extremely strong networker; • Experienced in Team Building (Synergy-Focused); • Adept at Multitasking; • Demonstrates a Hands-on approach as well as ability to delegate. • Passionate about the Short North and maximizing opportunities facing the district; • Belief that the Short North is a highly unique, national destination; • Passionate about community development… particularly public right-of-ways;

Additional Skills (optional but valuable) • Strong understanding of spreadsheets • Basic graphic design knowledge • Comfortable with basic HTML reprogramming • Familiar with SIDs and BIDs • Photoshop • Adobe Illustrator • InDesign • WordPress • HTML Editor • Keynote/PowerPoint • Well-connected with city leadership, media representatives and community in general

Timeline (Estimated) Applications accepted through April 26 Position to begin on or before June 3

Submissions Submissions will be accepted by emails at: [email protected] Subject: Executive Director Applicant (Your Name)

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Short North Alliance Executive Director Responsibilities

The Director of the Short North Alliance connects, maintains, promotes and champions the Short North Arts District commercial corridor. The E. D. represents the interests of the property owners (both commercial and residential) and the business owners in the Short North Special Improvement District service area. Major areas of responsibility include implementing the short-term strategic goals and objectives of the Short North Alliance, supporting and enabling the Board to fulfill its governance function, and giving direction and leadership toward the achievement of the Alliance’s long-range mission and objectives.

District Advocacy • Champion the district on a variety of fronts, including: Quality of life issues such as safety, aggressive panhandling, parking and access Public right-of-way improvements such as curbs, roadways and street lighting Inclusion in citywide initiatives such as on-street recycling, bike-share ,and car-share

Board Relations • Work in close cooperation with both the SNA Board and the SNSID Board to set and implement the strategic direction for the Alliance and the district. • Organize bi-monthly SNA Executive Committee and bi-monthly SNA Board meetings • Facilitate SNA Board members in participating in key priorities • Facilitate the committees of the SNA Board, including: Marketing, Development, Improvements, Safety, Parking, HighBall, and Public Arts Committees • Organize bi-monthly meetings of the Short North Special Improvements District Board of Directors. Prepare financial and status update reports outlining the SNA’s fulfillment of contracted duties.

District Operations Management • Monitor and direct the Short North Ambassador Program with the assistance of the Field Operations Manager • Engage in all conversations, and spearhead initiatives, related to parking and mobility in the Short North, including: valet zones, meters, permit parking, bus stops, bike parking, loading zones, surface lots, garage development, shuttles, employee-only parking, bike share, car share, streetcars, etc… The SNA is committed to being the holistically knowledgeable authority and leader in the effort to improve parking and access in the district. • Work with the Ambassador Program to advance safety initiatives that address aggressive panhandling, vagrancy, public intoxication, and crime. Build strong relationships with the Columbus Police Department, area social service organizations, city departments and other community partners to develop collaborative approaches. • Manage resources and work with the Ambassador Program to advance a clean and attractive district. Includes graffiti removal, trash management, and selected green space management. • Monitor conditions of the Public Right-of-Way and prioritize improvement projects (such as painting fixtures, restructuring pocket parks, and improving lighting).

Short North Special Improvement District Filings • Prepare annual property assessment calculations and reports to Franklin County and the City of Columbus. • Generate SNSID annual reports and organize annual meeting… including mailed announcements to all SNSID constituents (approximately 1,000).

Project Management • Coordinate tasks, budgets, and human resources related to a variety of projects, including: gallery collaborations, public art installations, marketing materials, holiday décor, and special events.

Financial Oversight • Manage operating budget and special project financials. • Work with board treasurer to generate reports for board, including: P/L, balance sheets, and short-term and long-range budgets.

Public Relations • Nurture collaborative relationships with Property Owners, Developers and Business Owners represented in the service area of the Short North Special Improvement District • Maintain strong relations with all neighboring communities and districts, including, but not limited to: , , , , the University District, the , the , the Convention Center and Downtown Columbus • Maintain strong Government Relations (City, County, State). At the city level, this includes city council members, the mayor’s office, department directors, and key staff of departments that directly influence the evolution of the district. • Develop strong Stakeholder Relations with key organizations throughout the city • Represent the Short North Alliance matters involving the media, including generating press releases, conducting interviews and responding to information requests.

Marketing • Work with the marketing committee to maintain and evolve the District Brand, including ongoing development of district marketing materials such as pocket maps, way-finding kiosks and promotional collateral. • Work with the SNA staff to oversee all e-based marketing and social media initiatives • Facilitate District-wide Promotional Events such as the annual winter and summer sales • Work with staff to develop market growth initiatives targeting conventions and other forms of tourism.

Fund Raising • Oversee a variety of fund-raising and resource generating campaigns, including: event production, sponsorship development, grant applications, and government supported initiatives

Staff Management and Development

The SNA is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, age, gender or sexual preference. ______