Vice President of Revitalization Programs
National Main Street Center
Professional Area:
Community Development and Redevelopment
Preservation
Experience:
More than 10 years
Contact person:
Human Resources
Email:
260572-CS-1718@nthp.hrmdirect.com
Location:
Chicago, IL
Over the past 35 years, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) – a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation – has led a transformational movement, working with 2000+ communities around the country to revitalize and re-energize their downtown commercial districts through a focus on reusing and rehabilitating older and historic buildings. We are passionate about helping communities understand the connection between creating quality urban places and economic competitiveness, and equipping them with the tools to make that connection a reality. Since its inception, the NMSC’s approach has earned a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation, generating over $61 billion in reinvestments in downtown areas.
The Vice President of Revitalization Programs will play a key leadership role in the National Main Street Center’s work to inspire and enable communities to build economically vibrant downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. This position will lead the launch of the renewed and re-imagined Four Point Approach, the Center’s signature revitalization framework. In this capacity, the Vice President will help existing Main Street communities transition to this new tool, as well as help the Center reach new communities with this refreshed framework. Overseeing the Field Services team, the Vice President will also lead the Center’s efforts to expand technical service offerings, and offer preservation-based economic revitalization services directly to communities.
As the CEO’s senior direct report, this position serves as a deputy, helping provide leadership for operational, financial and administrative functions of the Main Street Center, in support of and coordination with the CEO. In the absence of the CEO, the Vice President also may serve as the principal staff and Board liaison and, as assigned, serve as Acting CEO, acting in accordance with the role and responsibilities of the CEO. As the CEO’s senior direct report, this position serves as a deputy, helping provide leadership as needed for operational, financial and administrative functions of the Main Street Center, in support of and coordination with the CEO. In the absence of the CEO, the Vice President also may serve as the principal staff and Board liaison and, as assigned, serve as Acting CEO, acting in accordance with the role and responsibilities of the CEO.
The successful candidate will be an outstanding team player and manager, and be a thought leader in the field of economic development, able to offer critical insights and expertise on strategies that most effectively enable communities to revitalize their downtowns.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 20 years professional experience, including at least 12 years in progressively responsible senior management roles. Demonstrated experience executing successful non-profit organizational-development strategies and tactics.
- At least 12 years of experience leading large cross-departmental projects and teams, preferably in a national level, non-profit setting.
- Commercial revitalization subject area expertise; background with the Main Street Four Point Approach strongly preferred, with strong business acumen and analytic ability.
- Previous fundraising experience required, including strategic roles in grant writing and funder relationship management.
- Knowledge of organizational effectiveness strategies, leadership development, assessment methodologies, changes management and performance management solutions, with demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership.
- Self motivated, goal-oriented with a proven track record of results. Able to achieve significant high quality results with only minimal supervision, meaning general directions given with regular status checks.
- Excellent consulting and diagnostic skills, with ability to foresee and plan around obstacles to produce desired outcomes. Training, and experience training others, in project management methods a plus.
- Advanced analytical, problem solving (issue identification and prioritization) skills are essential for this role, plus the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analysis.
- Experience with analytics -- specifically with techniques such as data mining and forecasting.
- Advanced project management, department-management and client-management skills, with the ability to develop and execute short and long terms plans including the establishment of goals and outcome measures. Dependability essential, with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading departments, as well as successfully managing key internal and external stakeholders and relationships. Proven ability to train, motivate and manage staff in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate plans and outcomes at all levels of the organization. Ability to communicate with staff at remote locations essential.
- Persuasive, polished presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
- Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
- Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set essential. Ability to delegate as possible.
- Demonstrated success in marketing to and engaging culturally diverse audiences and partners.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) required. Master’s degree or equivalent experience required, preferably in planning, preservation or similar field
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 35% of time.