Executive Director, Main Street Alabama

President/State Coordinator, Main Street Alabama

Main Street Alabama (MSA) is a statewide nonprofit that serves as Alabama’s National Main Street Coordinating Program, overseeing the community-based Four-Point Approach® to revitalize downtown business districts. It emphasizes job creation, public-private partnerships, and strategic use of historic character. The office will be in either Birmingham or Montgomery.

The President/State Coordinator serves as the chief executive officer and chief spokesperson for Main Street Alabama. He/she reports to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Working with the Chair and the Board, he/she is responsible for achieving the goals of the strategic plan and for managing MSA operations for optimal effectiveness. He/she supervises staff and/or contractors in accomplishing goals and carrying out programs. With the Board Chair, the President/State Coordinator assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its governance and fiduciary functions. He/she serves as the state’s official liaison to the National Main Street Center and maintains Main Street Alabama’s status as a designated Main Street coordinating program.

The President/State Coordinator will spend approximately 50% to 60% of his/her time in the field, working with:  Local programs and partners to enable and empower people, groups, and organizations to gain knowledge and skills, assume responsibility, and develop and implement strategies for building better communities through the Main Street Approach  Outreach to recruit new Main Street communities  Cultivation of investors and potential investors

Specific responsibilities include:

 Oversees staff and contract employees, fiscal management, and all operations of Main Street Alabama, carrying out policies and strategic plans set by the Board of Directors. This includes developing an annual budget for adoption by the Board.  Meets regularly with the Chairman and the Board of Directors. Prepares and provides them timely documentation on the organization’s performance. Manages administrative support of the Board, which may include assisting officers in carrying out their duties, such as preparation of minutes and of financial reports.  Plays an important role in fundraising, including developing strategies, nurturing relationships, and supporting and collaborating with Board efforts  Maintains financial records of the organization and assists in the preparation of the annual financial review by outside auditors  Obtains and manages grants and prepares necessary reports required by grantors  Works with each local Main Street organization, including the program manager, board, and volunteers, to provide hands-on support, guidance, and expertise that will help them succeed  Monitors progress of each Main Street community, including oversight of statistical documentation  Educates Alabama communities, public and state officials, members of the media, investors, and the general public about revitalization of historic business districts using the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach® and about the work and accomplishments of Main Street Alabama. This includes implementation of a statewide public relations program and a web site for communicating about Main Street and promoting its agenda.  Works with partners statewide, including elected officials, government agencies, and other economic development entities, to accomplish the goals of Main Street Alabama, to expand support for Main Street Alabama, and to develop a strong network of support for downtown revitalization activity. This includes informing public policy about tools that have proved effective in downtown revitalization. It also includes collaboration with other community revitalization entities and efforts, to avoid duplication of services and promote the most productive use of resources to achieve tangible results.  Plans quarterly manager training meetings and events such as conferences and town hall meetings  Employs, assigns, supervises, and evaluates performance of staff and, if necessary, terminates staff, with appropriate procedures  Hires trainers and other expert consultants to deliver services that further the mission of the organization and prepares, administers and supervises their contracts  Works to ensure that specific target markets of minorities, under or unemployed, and impoverished persons are able to access the training offered to the public.  Represents the program at state, local and national meetings.

Qualifications:

 Proven leadership skills, including 3-5 years successful experience working in a Main Street program or a comparable community & economic development program at the local, regional, state or national level and 3-5 years successful experience managing an organization or a division of an organization with regional or statewide responsibilities  Thorough understanding of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® with mastery in one of the four points, preferably economic restructuring or organization, or a record of achievement in social entrepreneurship, emphasizing public-private methodologies to achieve an overarching public purpose  Experience in fund raising from both the private and public sectors  Entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well-organized, and able to motivate others  Capable of functioning effectively both in an independent situation and working for a statewide volunteer board  Strong demonstrated communication skills, both oral and written, and supervisory skills  A degree in a discipline related to this work is desirable  Able and willing to travel as often as weekly, and to work occasional nights and weekends, as necessary, providing direct hands-on assistance to Alabama communities.

Serious qualified candidates please respond by email to Alice Bowsher at [email protected] ; specify Main Street Alabama President in the subject line. Include a short letter of interest and a resume with at least 3 references. Target date for receipt is not later than Feb. 11, 2013.