The Downtown Partnership is seeking a Chief Executive Officer.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1997, The Downtown Partnership is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building and sustaining a thriving Downtown corridor in Colorado Springs. The Partnership has worked to create quasi-governmental entities known as the Greater Downtown Colorado Springs Business Improvement Districts Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority, and Colorado Springs Community Ventures, Inc.. Even before its creation, The Partnership’s organizers and other community leaders initiated significant efforts to better Downtown Colorado Springs working collaboratively with the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and the State of Colorado. Each of these entities has unique capabilities for implementation of a common vision to maintain Downtown Colorado Springs as the Region’s place to live, work, play and stay. However, the Partnership uniquely embodies the concept of serving as the “champion” for Downtown. In its role as the umbrella organization, the Partnership provides contracted services to advance key priorities important to the region and creates and implements programs important to merchants, residents, and visitors in the Downtown Corridor.
The Partnership, resulting from Downtown stakeholders and community leaders working in collaboration, is a membership-based organization. It is the successor to Downtown Colorado Springs Inc. (sometimes known as Downtown Inc. a primarily retail organization). Initially guided by the Colorado Springs City Council approved Downtown Action Plan, the Partnership has a growing toolbox to guide its work including: the updated Downtown Master Plan known as the Imagine Downtown Plan approved by City Council in 2007; and the resultant Form Based Code zoning for Downtown approved by City Council in 2009; and a planning commission dedicated to the Downtown approved by City Council known as the Downtown Review Board.
That scope positions the Partnership to be a transformative leader in addressing some of downtown’s most important challenges and opportunities. Ideally, the CEO will frequent downtown establishments, connect with merchants and residents, and perhaps even reside Downtown.
The Partnership oversees nimbly with a staff of 7, a combined annual revenue budget of $1,517,276 and assets of $2,957,515 a long-range plan: Imagine Downtown, and a set of directives codified by a recent assessment conducted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Through our on-the-street projects Downtown, we seek innovative solutions that will protect and advance Downtown as the heart of the City. The solutions the organization forges here have repercussions throughout the region; and will be used to shape and inform public policy, and the actions of merchants, residents, and other important stakeholders in the Pikes Peak Region. To support this critical work, the Downtown Partnership Board is committed to building the organization’s capacity to implement the Imagine Downtown plan, champion the ULI recommendations, and ensure that the Partnership is serving its members and stakeholders in a manner that is sustainable over time.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years’ executive leadership experience, including demonstrated track record of effective collaboration with boards of directors, volunteers, and governmental agencies.
• Experience managing and supervising a team of people with differing skills, temperaments, scopes of work and capability.
• Experience with current and evolving trends in urban planning, design, etc.
• Experience in building and maintaining long-term relationships with constituents.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in fiscal management, and sensitivity to effective and transparent use of taxpayer funds within the organization’s scope of work.
• Direct knowledge and experience with Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region preferred.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Downtown Partnership leads the board in setting strategy and policy to advance the Partnership’s mission; leads the staff in planning and implementing a comprehensive program that secures the necessary resources (funding, projects, programs) to support the Partnership’s priorities; and embodies the “champion of downtown” moniker for the Partnership. The CEO reports to the Downtown Partnership Executive Committee.
The CEO carries out these specific duties and others as needed:
• Leads and inspires the 19-member board of directors to integrate and advance the Imagine Downtown Plan and Urban Land Institute recommendations and maximize their role in championing downtown.
• Collaborates with the boards of directors for the Downtown Development Authority, the Business Improvement District, and Community Ventures.
• Provides executive leadership to the Partnership staff.
• Works with staff to secure critical funding for the Partnership’s high-priority projects.
• Directly manages a portfolio of high-level members.
• Serves as contract staff and manages additional staff for the affiliate boards of Downtown Partnership: Downtown Development Authority, the Business Improvement District, and Community Ventures, overseeing financial management, strategy and daily function.
• Actively fosters collaboration key public and private stakeholders such as between the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, the Downtown Development Authority, the Business Improvement District, Community Ventures, Regional Business Alliance, Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Colorado Springs Utilities, etc. to achieve the Partnership’s goals and advance important initiatives shared by these stakeholders.
• Effectively manages contracted services the Partnership is responsible to deliver.
• Provides advocacy to support Downtown's positions with public officials and other entities in cooperation with the Business Improvement District, the Downtown Development Authority, and Community Ventures and where appropriate other governmental, quasigovernmental and private entities toward the general betterment of Downtown.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years’ executive experience.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity, accountability and professional growth.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in the region and urban centers.
• Proven success in securing funding and building and maintaining long-term relationships with constituents such as elected officials, major donors, foundations and corporations.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Ability to design, implement and direct multiple projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
• Ability to think strategically, creating competitive and breakthrough strategies
• Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose. Ability to inspire, motivate, and marshal resources throughout the organization and among its stakeholders.
• Ability to cultivate the creative ideas of others, make connections between ideas, and project potential outcomes.
• Ability to experiment to find creative solutions. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar opportunities.
DECISION-MAKING:
• Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
• Maximum opportunity to act independently.
• Ability to commit the organization’s actions and resources in a way that bolster’s the Partnership’s public image and reputation.
• Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
• Responsible for effective leadership and management of for administrative, professional, contract, and volunteer staff, including training and professional development. Establishes clear direction, sets “stretch” objectives, communicates direction regularly.
• Responsible for long-range financial planning to ensure the Partnership’s vitality; short-term financial planning vis-à-vis the annual operating budget; setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results and developing corrective strategies as needed.
• Responsible for accurate accounting, record keeping, and reporting that is compliant with stated requirements for the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and the State of Colorado on behalf of the Business Improvement District, Community Ventures, and the Downtown Development Authority.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL:
• Superb communications and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the Partnership’s mission to diverse groups including members, corporate executives, board members, elected officials, stakeholders, and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity, well-being and impact.
• Ability to communicate effectively with influential people. Commands attention. Can change tactics midstream and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
• Leverages constructive and effective relationships with staff team and volunteers within the organization.
• Ability to diffuse high-tension situations comfortably and maintains composure under pressure.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
• Ability to work long hours and some evenings and weekends.
COMPENSATION:
Competitive salary and benefits package offered; commensurate with experience and qualifications.
HOW TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter, and references to Kimberley@ThirdSectorGroup.com
by Jan. 18, 2013.
The Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer