The Executive Director is responsible for the professional leadership and management of PRA. The ED will spearhead the further development of PRA’s role as the champion for business and artistic development within the District. The ED, working in concert with the PRA Board of Directors, local government and volunteers will move the Alliance forward in the development and implementation of internal and external goals that reflect the organization’s vision, mission and business plan. The ED provides overall leadership for strategy, organizational development, implementation, financial oversight and fundraising. The ED will focus initially on these target areas:

•Enhancing the relationship between the Alliance and its constituents, increasing PRA’s visibility and influence with stakeholders, legislators, land owners and constituent agencies as well as with the general public•Developing an organizational infrastructure that will support anticipated growth•Increasing, strengthening and diversifying the organization’s funding sources•Working with the Board of Directors to develop policies, guidelines and priorities around projects including negotiations and legal transactions

Illustrative Duties:

Board Development

•Works closely with the PRA Executive Committee and Board of Directors to recruit, train, and maintain a strong, balanced Board of Directors and strong, balanced Committees

•Promotes Board of Directors' engagement in critical thinking, strategic planning, resource/financial development, membership development and overall organizational wellness

Fiscal Management

•Ensures that PRA is fiscally sound

•Establishes rigorous accountability standard for grant and budget tracking

•Directs financial activities and makes decisions based on plans and policies developed in concert with the Board of Directors; works with staff and Board to develop PRA budget

•Oversees/supervises all bookkeeping, accounting and financial activities

•Obtains contributions, contracts, grants, and in kind donations to support PRA projects and services

•Assures PRA compliance accountability to Board, funders and regulatory bodies

•Engages with Finance Director and PRA Board in financial planning and diversification activities

Program Planning and Operations Management

•Together with the PRA Board, ensures management and leadership of the PRA in a manner consistent with the Main Street Four-Point Approach

•Designs and obtains Board and Committee consensus for goals and objectives and obtains their assistance implementing these goals and objectives

•Provides leadership in choosing which tasks to undertake to achieve the goals and objectives and assigns priorities to those tasks

Fundraising and Marketing

•Develops and sustains a diverse funding base

•Raises the visibility of the organization through the development and implementation of a sustainable marketing campaign geared to its various constituencies as well as to the public

•Is responsible for volunteer management, public relations, education and membership programs

•Implements creative strategies to increase membership and expand public awareness of the PRA's work and program value

•Oversees educational and outreach initiatives with school children, the general public and those setting municipal policy

Human Resources Management

•Promotes an organizational culture that fosters passion for the mission, cooperation, open and frequent communication, teamwork, collaboration and a common organizational vision

•Recruits, manages, inspires, motivates and empowers a strong staff team

•Prepares for the anticipated growth of the organization, including training, career development, succession planning, and performance management for all staff

•Oversees an appropriate organizational structure and ensures that the programmatic objectives are supported internally: facilities, technology, finances, communication, functional needs

•Supports inclusive annual strategic planning process and ensures planning decisions are used in setting annual program/project goals

Public Policy

•Positions the Alliance as an effective, vital business/arts advocate and preservation organization

•Represents the City at all appropriate public functions and makes effective public presentations

•Establishes and maintains contacts with key individuals in both the public and private sectors; works for strong communication with local Commissioners, state legislators and congressional offices

•Ensures the representation of PRA's concerns to county and state policy makers, task forces, and advisory committees, planners and funding bodies

•Assures professional relationships with individuals and organizations which share a stake in the vitality of the area

•Demonstrates legislative political savvy

Qualifications:

•Five years of economic development or community planning preferred.

•Experience in recruiting and retaining artists and businesses, developing downtown living and creating the place of first choice for artists,business-owners, residents, investors;and consumers.

•Experience in marketing, public relations and membership development.

•College degree required, advanced degree preferred

•Passion for the mission of PRA

•An affinity for working with a culturally and politically diverse community; being equally comfortable with artists, academics, "second home" owners, beef eaters, vegans, the conservative, the liberal and those in between; has a realistic appreciation for life in Western Kentucky

•Ability to move seamlessly within the art, business and government communities Experience in start-up organizations, business, the arts, preservation, planning or real estate

•Significant and proven leadership skills developed through several years in management positions Is visionary, trustworthy, diplomatic, understanding and innovative with high energy level

•Excellent organizational development, interpersonal, marketing, communication, administration and personnel management skills

•Ability to build collaborative ventures with diverse constituents

•Success at fund development, including knowledge of and success in attracting foundation and corporate grants; ability to identify, steward and solicit individual donors

•Ability to raise the visibility of the organization through successful marketing including expansion of the membership base

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•Knowledge of general business and management principles involved in strategic planning and resource allocation.

•Knowledge of economic factors as they relate to small business profitability.

•Working knowledge of planning, zoning, community development and related economic activities.

•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, regional, state and federal officials, District property and business owners, artists, civic and grassroots organizations as well as the design, construction and real estate development community and the general public.

•Ability to be sensitive to design and preservation issues.

•Ability to work with developers and other entities to rehabilitate and redevelop historic properties in the District.

•Ability to provide budget preparation and management.