Executive Director

Downtown Albany BID; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 89,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Downtown Albany BID is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization and advance downtown Albany’s transformation into a premier urban destination.

The ED will work with a committed Board and professional team to develop and implement strategic plans, oversee operations and budgeting, and strengthen relationships with property owners, city officials, and community leaders to drive growth and vibrancy.

Qualifications

• Senior-level leadership in downtown management, economic development, or nonprofit sectors.
• Proven fundraising and grant writing experience.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a respected nonprofit with a strong reputation and work with the Board to translate mission into goals.
• Mentor and manage staff, providing direction and professional development.
• Oversee day-to-day operations including administration, budgeting, and programs.
• Develop and manage annual budgets aligned with Board goals and regulatory requirements.
• Act as ambassador for the organization with media, elected officials, and stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with property owners, businesses, public officials, and community leaders.
• Plan and monitor projects, ensuring timely completion.
• Expand revenue through fundraising, sponsorships, and grants.

Skills

Senior leadership

Fundraising

Board relations

Strategic communications

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Public/private partnerships

Education

Leadership in marketing and economic development

Job description

The new Executive Director will lead the organization and Downtown into its next chapter. Working closely with an engaged Board and a dynamic team of professionals, the ED will provide strategic leadership to guide the continued transformation of downtown Albany into a premier urban destination. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary and entrepreneurial leader to successfully drive the BID’s mission by providing expertise on downtown issues, capitalizing on opportunities, and working with the BID Board of Directors, stakeholders, and the City in creating and implementing strategic planning initiatives to develop and sustain a vibrant downtown in which to live, work, play, and invest for all.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal ED for this role is a strategic, mission-driven, dynamic, inspiring, and collaborative leader, possessing a balance of strategic vision and practical management ability. Qualified candidates will have proficiency in implementing strategic economic development initiatives, a proven track record in special events creation and management and strategic communications and marketing, strong administration and fiscal management, and positive communications and relationship building/management skills.

Experience

• Senior-level leadership experience in downtown management, economic development, nonprofit or related sectors, and teams/staff.
• Experience navigating public-private partnerships with city agencies and elected officials.
• Knowledge of the unique challenges of downtown Albany or urban areas.
• Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing budgets.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale projects within complex organizational structures.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills. Proven ability to build trust and consensus among diverse and sometimes competing stakeholders.
• Solid fundraising and grant writing experience.
• Comfort working in a highly visible, public-facing role with media, elected officials, and business leaders, including in moments of disagreement or scrutiny.

Responsibilities

• Lead a respected nonprofit with a strong reputation. Work with our engaged Board and experienced staff to develop work plans that translate the organization's mission and vision into realistic goals and objectives, ensuring achievement of goals and objectives established by the Board.
• Lead, mentor, and manage staff by fostering a collaborative, high-performing workplace. Provide clear direction, professional development opportunities, performance management, and team leadership to support organizational success.
• Provide oversight and management for day-to-day operations of organizational programs, including administrative/human resource management, fiscal, operations, public safety, economic development, and capital improvements.
• Develop an annual budget (in conjunction with the Budget & Finance Committee and staff) that is attainable and consistent with the goals and objectives established by the Board and operate within that budget. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Serving as an ambassador for the organization and Downtown with the media, elected officials, BID stakeholders, and the City of Albany, as well as being an advocate for downtown issues. Maintain clear internal and external communication and information flow.
• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with property owners, businesses, public officials, community and business leaders, and the media.
• Prioritize, plan, drive, and monitor projects to ensure appropriateness to mission and vision, and effective completion by deadlines established by the Board.
• Expand revenue sources through fundraising, sponsorships, merchandise, and grant writing.

Education and Preferred Experience

• Education consistent with demonstrated, quantifiable leadership in marketing, business development, events, fundraising, strategic planning, fiscal management, real estate and economic development.

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position with occasional nights and weekends as needed. It is a fully in person/in office position. Competitive benefits. Salary is $105,000 per year.