Executive Director, Old City District

Posted by Old City District on May 19, 2014

Executive Director, Old City District
Posted on: May 6, 2014

OCD’s Board of Directors is seeking a new Executive Director capable of providing creative and innovative leadership, vision and management of the District’s ongoing initiatives, and of challenging the organization’s board, staff, partners and stakeholders to pursue new opportunities consistent with the organization’s mission in anticipation of and in response to opportunities and challenges that may emerge in the coming years.

The Executive Director’s primary responsibility is to develop and manage the District’s programs, working closely with the Board of Directors and its Committees, as well as with area businesses, cultural and financial institutions, government agencies, residents and other stakeholders. The Executive Director should take an entrepreneurial approach in managing and improving the quality of life and enhancing the business environment in Old City.

Specific day-to-day responsibilities include protecting and maximizing the impact of OCD’s resources through financial planning, budgeting and maintaining public records, managing office activities including the collection of assessments, supervising OCD staff and contractors, coordinating Board of Directors and committee meetings, overseeing streetscape programs, representing the interests of the District at public meetings, coordinating economic development activities, marketing the District, fundraising and grant-writing.

Background and Skills

Candidates must possess the following qualities:

• Leadership: Ability to work collaboratively with Board and staff, and to foster collaboration among various organizations in the city. Providing visionary leadership and inspiration, including initiative in attracting resources to Old City.
• Management: Ability to recognize opportunities and approaches to enhance program impact. Demonstrated senior level management experience with organizations of similar range. Commitment to staff development and operating efficiency.
• Urban planning and economic development: Knowledge of urban planning, community planning, real estate and economic development principles and practices with emphasis on revitalizing and preserving historic urban districts, encouraging a healthy blend of historic preservation and new construction, bringing about a mix of commercial and residential uses suitable to the scale of the streets. Skill in finding businesses that will thrive in Old City and finding ways to improve the streetscape and municipal services and programs so as to attract them.
• Commitment to Diversity: Strong support for making economic development relevant to the economically and culturally diverse population of Old City and of Philadelphia.
• Strong interpersonal skills: The ability to nurture relationships with Board members, organizations, foundations, individual constituents and partners, as well as with public agencies and political leaders. Candidates must be comfortable with presenting the OCD’s positions to the media and in a variety of public contexts.
• Development: The ability to formulate, manage and lead successful programs, including many involving community participation, and grant-writing to support expanded initiatives.
• Judgment: Track record of experience-based sound judgment; confidence and ability to make and communicate decisions and to keep the organization focused.
• Professional Education and Experience: Appropriate academic and/or professional experience in the areas of economic development, urban planning, municipal services, marketing and real estate economics.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/JNgBD7HgwKMD/