DDA Executive Director

City of St Joseph; Belleville (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

The Belleville Downtown Development Authority is seeking a part-time Executive Director to lead economic development, marketing, and district operations in Belleville, Michigan.

The role focuses on representing the DDA to businesses, government, developers, and the community. You will oversee planning, budgeting, communications, and events while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This position offers flexible hours and community impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Experience in DDA operations or municipal government.
• Background in grant writing, marketing, and economic development.
• Knowledge of local/state regulations and Open Meetings Act preferred.
• MiPDM certificate is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Belleville DDA and promote economic growth to businesses, government, organizations and current DDA District owners.
• Support communications, meetings, training, and events to attract new businesses and developers.
• Be available for open communications with existing DDA owners, citizens and stakeholders via in-person, email, telephone and social media.
• Provide detailed analysis of regional and local proposed developments, including financial, environmental, regulatory and legal implications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with developers and realtors to market the DDA district.
• Maintain an inventory of all properties within the DDA District and present benefits to prospects.
• Ensure all DDA activities comply with Open Meeting Act and FOIA.
• Evaluate and prepare DDA initiatives and budgets; prepare agendas and minutes.
• Lead marketing plans across print, social media, and cross-marketing with other municipalities; report successes to the Board.
• Oversee budget development, monitoring, and reporting; ensure on-time completion of supplier/contractor activities.
• Monitor legislation and regulations affecting the DDA and adjust plans accordingly.
• Possess and manage annual budget, and present adjustments as needed.
• Attend events and support local organizations to promote Belleville and the DDA district.

Skills

DDA operations

Municipal government

Grant writing

Marketing

Economic development

Driver's license

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in public administration / business administration

MiPDM certificate preferred

Job description

Job Summary

This job description provides an outline of the roles and responsibilities expected from a part‑time DDA Executive Director employed by the Belleville Downtown Development Authority. These Roles and Responsibilities are meant to provide an overview of the tasks expected of the Executive Director and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual‑specific tasks are meant to fit within this outline and will be directed from the DDA Board.

Roles and Responsibilities

Economic Development

Represent the Belleville DDA and promote economic growth to potential businesses, State and local government, organizations, consultants and current DDA District business owners.

Support open communications, meetings, training, and events in support of attracting new businesses and developers.

Be available for open communications with existing DDA business owners, citizens and stakeholders via in‑person meetings, email, telephone and social media.

Provide detailed analysis of regional and local proposed developments, including any financial, environmental, regulatory and legal implications.

Develop and maintain a professional relationship with developers and realtors as both a source for information and a means for marketing the DDA district.

Develop and maintain an inventory of all properties within the DDA District and create a presentation of available properties, and their benefits, for prospective new businesses and developers.

DDA Business

Ensure that all activities undertaken by the DDA Board are done in compliance with all local, state and federal laws. Ensure that all meetings and procedures align with requirements of the Open Meeting Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Evaluate and prepare DDA initiatives and associated budgets and implementation plans.

Prepare meeting agendas and minutes in a timely fashion.

Actively represent the DDA as a member of the Michigan Downtown Association through workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars. Actively participate in other associations, organizations and initiatives as directed by the DDA Board. Engage with these groups to maintain the latest information about activities by these groups, assess the potential impact and benefits to the DDA Board.

Oversee execution of DDA initiatives, including development of Requests for Proposals, of qualified suppliers/contractors; assistance to the DDA Board in supplier selection; day‑to‑day oversight, tracking and reporting, and assurance of on‑time completion of supplier/contractor activities.

Monitor local, state and federal legislation and regulations relating to the DDA.

Prepare annual DDA budget, monitor financial performance during the year, and recommend necessary budget adjustments

Marketing

Lead and oversee a dynamic marketing plan as directed by the DDA board including print, social media, over the air media, website and cross‑marketing with other local municipalities. Report measurable marketing successes to the DDA Board.

Assist local businesses with their promotions and efforts to promote and attract business and foot traffic to the DDA district.

Assist and coordinate with other local organizations including, but not limited to: Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, CBC, Arts Council, District Library, City Council, Van Buren Township, Aerotropolis and other entities promoting and marketing Belleville and the surrounding area.

Coordinate content for the community event sign and all other sign and way‑point initiatives as directed by the Board. Develop and implement marketing plans to prospective businesses and actively communicate DDA initiatives to resident and existing businesses.

DDA District Maintenance

Work closely with the Belleville DPW by entering work requests in a timely manner to ensure upkeep, beautification and improvements to the DDA District.

Attention to detail of the condition of the District is paramount and accountability is expected on all levels of maintenance. The current District Maintenance List should be presented at each DDA meeting with progress reports and timelines for completion.

Events

Support local events by assisting with planning, promotion, coordinating, and participation as directed by the Board.

Work closely with local entities and organizations to support and encourage local events.

Represent the DDA by attending events

Other Activities

As the needs of our growing community change, other roles and responsibility to further promote and develop the Belleville DDA District may become necessary. It is expected that the Executive Director will abide by the decisions and directives of the current DDA Board of Directors as the Master Plan changes and the DDA’s needs evolve.

The City of Belleville and the Belleville DDA are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Possession of a Michigan Driver License or equivalent is required.

MiPDM certificate is preferred.

Experience in DDA operations, municipal government, grant writing, marketing, and economic development is preferred.

A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, in public administration, business administration, community and or economic development, marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field is preferred.

Knowledge of the City of Belleville and Van Buren Township is preferred.