Director, Illinois Main Street (Msa)

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts through place-based economic development and community preservation. We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life. MSA works with a network of 46 state, county and citywide partners called Coordinating Programs, who lead downtown revitalization efforts within their geographic purview.
Since its founding in 1980, the MSA network has helped to generate over $100 billion in local reinvestment, rehab 325,000 buildings, create 700,000 new jobs, and start 160,000 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
ABOUT THE TEAM
MSA is a small but growing, geographically dispersed team. Our group is passionate about Main Street's mission, with ambitions to significantly scale and deepen our impact in communities across the country. Staff members have deep expertise across a broad range of disciplines including economic development, historic preservation, urban planning, finance, and public affairs. They have a proven track record in helping a diverse range of communities through direct technical assistance, professional development programs, thought leadership, and targeted tools.
We strive for a culture that is team-oriented, collaborative, high performing, and committed to equity and inclusion. MSA is a remote-first organization, providing a flexible environment in which team members can thrive in both their professional and personal lives. Hybrid work arrangements are available to those living near the Chicago headquarters.
JOB SUMMARY
In 2018, Main Street America partnered with communities across Illinois to revive the dormant Illinois Main Street (IMS) program. Currently with 23 participating communities, IMS is the statewide coordinating entity for Illinois downtown revitalization, managed by Main Street America and supported by public and private sector partners across the state.
The Director of Illinois Main Street will be responsible for managing and executing strategic direction for the Illinois Main Street program and defining its long-term operations, including the development of state-wide partnerships that add resources and support to the program and the coordination of programmatic services delivered to Illinois Main Street communities. This position plays a vital role in promoting and expanding the implementation of the Main Street Approach and Main Street America services, trainings, and resources in communities throughout Illinois.
In 2024, the Director of Illinois Programs will work with MSA staff and partners to lead a strategic planning process for IMS to guide the programs long-term direction.
The Director of Illinois Main Street will also work closely with the Director of Chicago Main Streets (a program also managed "in-house" by Main Street America) to ensure connectivity between the two entities and identify opportunities for cross-training, partnership building, and collaboration.
We seek a candidate with deep knowledge and passion for community and economic development, particularly in Illinois; direct management experience and expertise in building, growing, and sustaining comprehensive community economic development efforts through inclusive community engagement, effective organizational development, and innovative programming; and be a skilled connector and partnership builder. This position will require significant travel throughout the state to implement the program, meet with public and private partners, and support participating communities. A typical schedule would involve being on the road approximately 50% of the time throughout the year.
The Director of IMS will also hire and oversee a second staff person who will be charged with training, technical assistance, the Illinois Annual Conference, and other duties as determined.
DUTIES

• Working with guidance from the Senior Director of Coordinating Programs develops, manages, and executes strategic direction for the Illinois Main Street program and defines its long-term operations.
• Under the direction of the Senior Director, manages planning and delivery of Main Street America technical assistance relating to the implementation of the Main Street approach in Illinois Main Street communities.
• Ensures smooth delivery of member benefits for Illinois Main Street communities, including coordinating educational workshops and leadership trainings throughout the year and an annual statewide conference on downtown revitalization.
• Hires and supervises the staff of IMS in the delivery of the IMS program.
• Serves as first point of contact for Illinois members, working closely with local Main Street program directors, volunteer leaders, and local officials through regular contact, periodic onsite visits, meetings, onboarding activities, written information, and consistent communication.
• Serves as a clearinghouse on state information (public and private) on downtown revitalization, economic development, community preservation, and related subjects.
• Builds and maintains communications, advocacy, and strong relations on behalf of the Illinois Main Street Program across the state with high-level contacts across Illinois. These public and private sectors contacts would include elected and appointed local and state government officials and staff; leaders of preservation, place-based and community development organizations; corporations and foundations; and representatives of the media.
• Develops, manages, and monitors annual budget goals to ensure growth and sustainability for the Illinois Main Street program's operations and services.
• Working collaboratively with MSA development staff and consultants, supports application and administers federal, state, and other grants and leads strategic fundraising efforts to add resources and strengthen the capacity of the Illinois Main Street program.
• Manages key relationships with private and public funding partners and supports development team in providing progress updates and generating new leads.
• Oversees outreach and recruitment efforts to cultivate connections with and expand engagement in the program among communities across the state.
• Manages a competitive application process to select and designate local Main Street organizations for participation in the statewide program.
• Working with MSA Communications team, promotes the value and impact of the Illinois Main Street program and the Main Street approach through content and media communications.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5-10 years of experience in program management, capacity building and team development, budgeting, and fundraising with proven results. Relevance of experience and size and type of organization worked for may be taken into account when considering background/qualifications.
• Direct management experience with Main Street or transferable/adjacent field, especially with managing the implementation of the technical assistance and capacity building support at the local or state level.
• Advanced knowledge of the community and economic development field in Illinois strongly desired; connections with state and local community and policy leaders in the region are a plus.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
• Intermediate project and client-management skills. Ability to achieve results with general supervision.
• Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in marketing to and engaging culturally diverse audiences and partners. Memberships or connections within culturally diverse professional, social or community affinity groups preferred. Bilingual language skills (especially English/Spanish) highly desirable.
• Effective presentation skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across divisions to implement processes and achieve results.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set essential. 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 and to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy.
• When working in the office, public contact, and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required. When working off site, ability work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including ESRI and ArcGIS a plus.
• Frequent travel required, as permitted under prevailing local, state, and organization travel guidelines. Must be able and willing to travel approximately 50-75% of time, which may include evenings and weekends, to provide direct assistance to Illinois Main Street communities.

PAY & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.
Hiring Range: $85,000 - 90,000 per year