Main Streets Districts - City of Boston

Egleston Square Main Street (www.eglestonsquare.org) seeks an energetic and resourceful director to manage and implement our economic development and community organizing program. This is an opportunity to develop and apply innovative technical assistance, marketing, and outreach strategies in a diverse and economically disadvantaged business district. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work independently. Ability to speak or quickly learn Spanish is required.

For more information or to apply, contact applyesms@gmail.com.

About Egleston Square Main Street
The mission of Egleston Square Main Street (ESMS) is to build community, strengthen the business district and revitalize public spaces through partnership with merchants, residents and community groups. ESMS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We work to encourage new investment, retain and expand area businesses, improve the physical environment, and promote the business district. ESMS has a volunteer Board of Directors and five working committees, including:
• Economic Development Committee, responsible for identifying opportunities for investment, linking merchants with technical assistance, and recruiting new businesses.
• Design Committee, responsible for urban design and quality of life issues, including the Storefront Improvement Program, pedestrian access, litter, and parking.
• Promotion Committee, responsible for promoting the business district through special events and newsletters, and for managing media relations.
• Organization Committee, responsible for development of financial and volunteer resources.
• Microloan Fund Committee, responsible for the management of a $30,000 loan fund available to merchants in the district.
Our website is www.eglestonsquare.org.

About the position
• Staff, coordinate, and help implement the work of the volunteer committees to carry out the mission of the organization
• Conduct outreach to stay on top of community issues, particularly those of small business owners in the district
• Coordinate economic revitalization efforts in the district by building relationships with merchants, property owners, and other organizations
• Coordinate development activities, including grant writing and fundraising events
• Administer the Revolving Loan Fund
• Coordinate efforts to market and promote the business district by developing promotional materials and events, maintain the organization's web site, e-newsletter, and other outreach material
• Represent the organization at local and city-wide meetings and events
• Management and administer the organization including record keeping, budget development, office administration, accounting, database development, and monthly reporting to the Board and Boston Main Streets
• Recruit and supervise volunteers
The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications
• 3 – 5 years professional experience in one or more of the following areas: neighborhood commercial revitalization, small business development, economic development, community organizing
• Experience in diverse and multicultural settings
• Demonstrated ability to motivate people and coordinate activities in a volunteer-run organization
• Experience in resource development for small non-profits
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
• Energetic, well-organized individual capable of functioning effectively in an independent work environment
• Bilingual: English and Spanish required
• Familiarity with QuickBooks, MS Office applications, design software, and Constant Contact preferred

Compensation
Salary range $38,000 - $46,000 depending upon experience, plus benefits and professional development opportunities.

Timing
Candidates should be able to begin in early June 2008.

How to apply
Please email cover letter and resume to applyesms@gmail.com or send to:

Egleston Square Main Street Search Committee
3313 Washington Street, Suite 5
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Egleston Square Main Street, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Hyde/Jackson Square Main Street
January 2008
Job Description: DIRECTOR

Organizational Background
Hyde/Jackson Square Main Street (HJSMS) is a grassroots non-profit organization led by neighborhood stakeholders–merchants, residents and community organizations–dedicated to the revitalization of Jamaica Plain’s commercial corridor along Centre Street. The organization relies on volunteer community involvement with staff support.

HJSMS’s mission is to create a safe, visually vibrant, economically sound business district in Hyde/Jackson Square; a district known as Boston’s Latin Quarter that reflects the full diversity of Jamaica Plain. Working in partnership with our community, we strive to promote the district and its businesses throughout Greater Boston, strengthen the skills of local merchants, attract businesses that strengthen the district, and enliven our streets with cultural events to shape Boston’s Latin Quarter as an accessible and desirable place for families of all backgrounds to live, work, and shop.

The Director is the principal staff person responsible for the coordination and development of all program activities. The Director coordinates the activities of Main Street volunteer-led committees and the Board of Directors, and assists the committees with cross-communication and implementation of work plan items. The Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and is expected to prepare monthly reports and documents for the Board of Directors. The Director is also responsible for managing regular communications about program activities to local businesses, the Hyde/Jackson Square Business Association, Boston Main Streets, partner organizations, property owners, and members.

Hyde/Jackson Square in Jamaica Plain is an ethnically, racially, and economically diverse Boston neighborhood.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Oversee and coordinate the work of the volunteer committees encompassing promotion of the district, event planning, economic development and analysis, educational programming and technical assistance to strengthen businesses, marketing, and volunteer management;
• Develop and implement a fundraising plan; coordinate fundraising activities including developing sponsor relationships, planning special events (the annual Don Juan Networking Gala and the Jamaica Plain World’s Fair), and developing new fundraising strategies and activities;
• Build relationships with local business owners and residents, and engage business owners and residents in projects that add to the economic and social vitality of Boston’s Latin Quarter.
• Work with the Board, business owners and residents, to create promotional campaigns that attract more people to shop and recreate in Boston’s Latin Quarter.
• Develop promotional materials, and maintain the organization's web site;
• Recruit and supervise volunteers, interns, part-time employees and assistants;
• Overall management and administration of the organization including: developing and maintaining the budget and financial reporting systems, monthly reporting to the Board and Boston Main Streets, office administration, accounting, maintaining data systems, database development, purchasing, and record keeping;
• Coordinate Main Streets’ role in major development initiatives in the neighborhood, including Jackson Square and Blessed Sacrament Church redevelopment, to ensure compliance with Main Street business development priorities
• Represent organization at local and city-wide meetings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS
• 3 – 5 years professional experience in one or more of the following areas: promotions, fundraising, small business or economic development, marketing and communications, design, community organizing, volunteer management
• Direct experience in low-income, multiracial communities
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required
• Demonstrated experience in events planning, grant writing, and resource development for small non-profits preferred
• Demonstrated ability to motivate people and coordinate activities in a volunteer-run organization strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit financial management preferred
• Experience with the Main Streets approach to commercial revitalization or similar revitalization strategies preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues confronting small businesses
• Energetic, imaginative, well-organized individual capable of functioning effectively in an independent work environment
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Quick Books, Filemaker, Photoshop and Dreamweaver strongly preferred
• Familiarity with Jamaica Plain helpful
• Willingness to work a demanding and flexible schedule, including nights and weekends

SALARY
Commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY
Please send cover letter and resume (attached files in Microsoft Word only) to:

Hyde/Jackson Square Main Street
c/o Search Committee
322 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Fax: 617-983-3978
E-mail: hydejacksonsquare@gmail.com

Position open until filled.

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