Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) / Main Street Director is responsible for leading and managing the DDA's efforts to enhance and promote the City of Coldwater’s downtown area. This role involves working closely with the DDA Board of Directors, City officials, local businesses and community organizations to lead, retain and recruit private investment; implement development strategies; construct and improve public spaces and create vibrancy in Coldwater's downtown district and commercial corridors.  The DDA / Main Street Director is an employee of the City of Coldwater, and therefore reports to the City Manager as well as provides support to the DDA / Main Street Board.  This opportunity provides the chance to lead downtown Coldwater’s strategic development and serve as the operational leader for Coldwater Main Street, a nationally accredited and award-winning Main Street program.

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

• Maintain Michigan Main Street accreditation and facilitate annual accreditation process and certification compliance 
• Attract businesses to downtown and other City commercial corridors so as to increase the occupancy rates and stimulate private investment and job creation
• Provide information on property and building availability and attributes
• Advise prospects on technicalities of downtown and commercial investment (e.g. PA 198, design review process, CDBG, RLF’s, BRA’s, OPRA’s, CRD’s, TIF, etc.)
• Assist in negotiations with prospects and property owners
• Ensure progress on construction of public improvements so as to implement the City’s economic development plans
• Communicate with elected officials to ensure public improvements are adequately funded
• Ensure that public projects affecting downtown and other commercial corridors are designed, bid and constructed in a timely fashion
• Work with property owners to ensure needs are accommodated in the course of public improvements
• Inform the community about progress and the importance of the City’s downtown and commercial corridors
• Oversee the promotion of special events to draw people downtown
• Develop and present to civic organizations and other groups interested in Coldwater’s quality of life and DDA/Mainstreet activities
• Attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, DDA and other groups to represent community economic development interests
• Initiate action to improve appearance and convenience of downtown (e.g. zoning, property maintenance ordinances, parking, code enforcement)
• Organize and manage volunteer board members and event volunteers 
• Prepare annual DDA budget and monitor expenditures versus budget
• Ensure the DDA has the proper space, equipment and information needed to perform effectively
• Report on activities, results and financial performance to the DDA Board of Directors
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with elected and appointed City and County officials
• Work with owners, developers and contractors to facilitate construction of public and private improvements
• Recruit prospective tenants to locate downtown and in the City’s commercial corridors
• Promote commercial development via meeting attendance and presentations to a variety of community groups
• Represent the community on regional boards and public events
• Perform all other related duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Relationship-builder, creative thinker and organized
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Ability to understand financial statements and budgets
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and work constructively with others
• High level of confidentiality
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Public speaking and persuasive skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced community-centered environment
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend meetings and events 
• Skill in using a variety of office equipment including computers, printers, copy/scanners, word processing and spreadsheet software, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point, Bluebeam and Adobe Creative Suite 

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, urban planning, business or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in downtown development, small business recruitment, grant writing or other economic development programs or agencies preferred
• In-depth knowledge of the local community preferred
• Valid driver’s license 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
 
The physical demands and work environment described herein are representative of those an individual may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

An individual in this position spends the majority of their time in an office setting with a controlled climate where they sit or stand at a computer for extended periods of time, are required to talk or hear by communicating in-person and/or on the telephone, walk, sit, move around the office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.  However, an employee may also need to traverse uneven ground or work in inclement weather to perform field work. This individual may frequently be required to use hands or fingers to handle, reach or feel objects, tools or controls with hands and arms. This individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.