Executive Director, Delaware River City Corporation (DRCC)

Posted by Delaware River City Corporation (DRCC) on January 29, 2018

About DRCC

Established in 2004, the Delaware River City Corporation  (DRCC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to completing, sustaining and programming of the riverfront trail and network of parks along the Delaware River that connect residents of urban neighborhoods to nature, offering unparalleled recreational, community building, and environmental education activities.

Working with the City of Philadelphia, private and public organizations, and neighborhood communities, DRCC reconnects the people, places, businesses, neighborhoods and the surrounding region to the Delaware River while simultaneously promoting a diversity of uses through the implementation of the North Delaware Riverfront Greenway Plan. DRCC works in close partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Philadelphia Commerce Department and Department of Parks and Recreation, and local civic organizations to realize the vision of a renewed Delaware riverfront.

DRCC’s priorities are to build, maintain, and promote the public use of the 11-mile North Delaware Riverfront Greenway and the adjacent connector streets and parks. Its four overarching goals are:

1. Extend the trail: complete the next key elements of the trail, parks and connector streets and assure that they are well-maintained.
2. Create engaging programs: maximize use of the greenway by local community residents.
3. Raise awareness: brand the Greenway as a highly valued, unique community resource.
4. Strengthen the organization: solidify organizational capacity and resources.

With its first, long-term executive director planning to retire in Spring 2018, DRCC seeks a leader who can provide continuity to the organization’s steady success by overseeing the project management tasks associated with the completion of the park and trail system and leading fundraising, community engagement and programming efforts.

Compensation Salary will be in the $100,000 range, with benefits aligned with nonprofit industry standards.  Background of ideal candidate A dynamic and experienced professional with a history of accomplishment in the nonprofit or public sectors that combines: financial and operational management; public advocacy, and external relationship advancement and/or government relations; board development and relations, fundraising, including grants management; community engagement and programming. Being adept at or having the aptitude for navigating the political and philanthropic landscape of Philadelphia is a must. Ability to connect with and serve the various communities in Northeast Philadelphia is a must.

Professional Characteristics
1. At least 10 years successful tenure in a leadership role, in a nonprofit or public sector organization, incorporating operational, fundraising and external relations functions in which s/he played a direct role in organizational growth is preferred.
2. High-energy person with vision and the capacity to mobilize others towards a common goal. Ability to operationalize ideas is a must.
3. Skilled in working in a collaborative manner to build relationships and teams with multiple external stakeholders, to include capacity to understand interests of neighborhood organizations and businesses,  institutional nonprofits including funders, civic organizations, government agencies and public sector decision makers. Ability to navigate complex relationships and lead negotiations with government agencies and property owners is a must.
4. Effective communicator to multiple and diverse internal and external audience.
5. Demonstrated ability in fund development, to include being the face of an organization in stewarding funder and donor relationships. Ability to oversee complex grant management and reporting is a must.
6. Managerial expertise including budget management and working directly with a volunteer governing board to include board engagement and board education.
7. Proven experience working with diverse populations, including experience in building bridges to develop relationships, trust and credibility.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organizational Management
a. Manage staff
b. Oversee fiscal management of organization, reporting regularly to the board regarding the financial status of the organization
c. Work with the board Treasurer and board committee to ensure an annual budget, fundraising plan, and audit

2. Project Management
a. Oversee planning and implementation for completion of parks and trails
b. Lead capital and operation budget management
c. Manage permitting processes
d. Coordinate Request For Proposals among city and state departments
e. Manage grants reporting

3. Advocacy and Negotiations
a. Cultivate and nurture relationships and advocate for North Delaware Riverfront Greenway completion with public sector decision makers and other key stakeholders, including city and state agencies, and local civic organizations.
b. Negotiate land acquisition with property owners
c. Serve as key spokesperson for DRCC
d. Foster media relations and represent the organization at regional and national meetings and events.

4. Programs
a. Work with staff and strategic community partners to maintain, develop and implement recreational and educational activities
b. Strengthen community engagement as a guiding principle of the organization
c. Work with staff and partners on volunteer engagement for park and trail stewardship

5. Resource Development
a. Identify, pursue and secure expanded base of revenue
b. Steward and expand relationships with funders
c. Develop and grow fee-for-service revenue streams

6. Board Relations
a. Nurture a positive, open and collaborative relationship with the Board and its committees
b. Participate in soliciting and recruiting additional people to the board
c. Arrange opportunities for board education and engagement

Reporting
Reports to the Board of Directors through the Board Chair

Staff Direct Reports: Project Manager, Program Manager, Office Manager, Communications Manager, Development Consultant

Finances
DRCC has an annual operating budget of approximately $500,000 primarily from public sector contract revenue and foundation contributions

Notes

1. DRCC is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and practices inclusion.
2. Freedom from illegal use of drugs, and freedom from use and effects of use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
3. Persons who have been found guilty by a court of law of abusing, neglecting or mistreating individuals are ineligible for employment in this position.
4. This profile is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the Executive Director. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of the Executive Director.

Application process Interviews will be arranged as soon as a group of qualified candidates is assembled. Resumes and a one-page cover letter that conveys why you are well suited for this position and how it fits into your career should be emailed as soon as possible to: DRCC@fairmountinc.com. Applications should be emailed by February 7, 2018. No paper copies, please.

Confirmation of receipt of the application will be sent by return email. Interviews of preferred candidates will be arranged forthwith. No phone calls, please.