Downtown Mesa Association Executive Director

DOWNTOWN MESA ASSOCIATION BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTEXECUTIVE DIRECTORApplication Deadline: Wednesday, November 26 by 5:00 PMABOUT THE DOWNTOWN MESA ASSOCIATION (DMA) BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)The DMA champions a vibrant, creative, and economically thriving downtown in the heart of Mesa, Arizona. The DMA’s primary revenue comes from a BID funded by property owners within the district boundaries. The City of Mesa is also a significant investor in DMA’s efforts. The organization invests in services and programs that elevate the area’s economic vitality, aesthetic appeal, quality of life and sense of place.As Downtown Mesa experiences an unprecedented period of investment and growth, the one-square-mile BID plays a pivotal role in advancing projects that enhance the urban experience, supporting business and residential growth, and fostering partnerships that drive long-term prosperity. With a budget of just over $1 million and a staff of approximately 10–12 (including both administrative and field teams), DMA delivers essential services, manages strategic initiatives, and serves as a leading advocate for Downtown Mesa. The individual hired for this position will report to an 11-member board and will be accountable to 530+ property owners, as well as serving as a partner, advocate with and liaison to the City of Mesa.A TIME OF TRANSFORMATIONDowntown Mesa is a vibrant destination in the Valley that is recognized for its creative, cultural and family-friendly vibe. This moment is a unique time of transformation in which significant new development is reshaping the downtown fabric in exciting ways. This includes residential investment transforming Downtown into a diverse, mixed-use community, including a planned 1,000 unit residential project called Culdesac on a 25-acre site that has sat vacant for decades. Recently, Arizona State University has begun a significant new investment in a downtown Mesa campus anchored by the new Media and Immersive eXperience Center (“The MIX”), and the establishment of a Digital Innovation Zone. These investments are serving as a transformative force for Downtown Mesa’s future and provide a new and unique creative environment with tools and equipment for virtual production, extended reality (XR), and all types of interactive and immersive production. The BID seeks an Executive Director who can harness this momentum, connect the academic and corporate communities, and help integrate ASU’s presence into the heart and fabric of the downtown. Additionally, the BID’s upcoming five-year renewal also presents an opportunity to reimagine its mission, expand its scope, and strengthen its financial and organizational foundation. The Executive Director will lead this effort and will need to have demonstrated experience and understanding of special district structures, positioning the DMA as a strategic force for Downtown Mesa’s future.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESOrganizational Leadership & AdministrationServe as the chief administrator of the DMA BID (managed as a 501(c)(6)) as well as Ultimate Imaginations, Inc. (UII) which is a 501(c)(3) focused on events.Responsible for handling oversight of all day to day operations, organizational policies, agreements, budgets and operating structures. Existing policies (including organizational bylaws) should be revisited and – where identified – new policies should be adopted to ensure operational transparency and efficiency.Lead organizational restructuring and staff development to ensure operational excellence and accountability. Oversee all planning and budgeting, guided by stakeholder input and the DMA Board of Directors. This includes developing annual budgets and work plans, as well as developing multi-year plans and priorities for the DMA.Facilitate monthly board meetings and develop board meeting agendas and materials in coordination with the DMA Board Chair, and ensure accurate board meeting minutes are collected and posted in a timely manner. Maintain regular communications with the Board of Directors and respond in a timely manner to requests for information.Exhibit excellent communication and diplomacy skills to gain the confidence of stakeholders and partners.Serve as a spokesperson for the DMA on official statements and represent the DMA at appropriate meetings, functions and ceremonies. They must also attend annual conferences, seminars, City Council meetings and other events as designed by the Board of Directors. Maintain strong working relationships and partnerships with the City of Mesa, including oversight of City contracts and agreements that support the work of the organization.Partner with other community organizations aligned with the organizations work, including but not limited to Visit Mesa, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Local First Arizona.Financial Management & Fiscal OversightOversee the financial management of the DMA and UII under the direction of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer. This includes developing and/or modifying financial protocols to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper internal controls are in place. Prepare the annual BID budget and work plan, in partnership with the Board of Directors and reflecting the priorities of stakeholders/ratepayers. Oversee all invoicing, bill payment, financial reporting and audits, including clear and comprehensive financial statements for BID monthly meetings and annual reporting. Identify opportunities to leverage external funding and partnerships for greater impact.Stakeholder ManagementEnsure that a contact database of property and business owners is kept up to date at all times.Get to know all district stakeholders/ratepayers and provide opportunities for open communication.Hold regular (at a minimum, quarterly) stakeholder/ratepayer meetings that provide open and transparent opportunities for those individuals to share their thoughts on the work of the BID.Oversee preparation of material pertinent to communication with stakeholders in newsletters, via the website, and in email/printed correspondence.PROGRAM OF WORK | DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERYProvide guidance to the Board of Directors as to the best methods to meet goals and objectives. This includes determining staffing needs, roles and responsibilities and determining where contract support is needed.Possess experience delivering programming within similar organizations, including: Delivering on a clean and well-maintained Downtown Mesa, including identifying priority areas for service delivery, frequencies, best models to deliver and more.  Delivering on a safe downtown including working with stakeholders and the Mesa Police Department to determine the best delivery models and approaches to ensure everyone feels comfortable throughout the district. Guiding and managing infrastructure and placemaking investments within the District that further the Downtown Mesa identity and ensure connectivity, while also addressing issues that negatively impact Downtown Mesa stakeholders. Business support, development and marketing to ensure existing businesses can thrive and vacant storefronts are filled. This includes developing strategies that align with Mesa’s growing identity as a Digital Innovation Zone and growing the “Mesa Music City” brand identity. Oversee methods of tracking economic indicators that help business owners and that allow the BID to advocate should be developed, including utilization of tools like Placer AI. Effective district marketing and communication strategies that increase BID stakeholder revenues, generate awareness of businesses and drive consumers to increase spend throughout the district. Develop and create events, both existing and new, including establishing programming that activates different parts of Downtown for different audiences, as well as drawing in new audiences from surrounding communities in the valley. General advocacy around all issues impacting the district now and in the future, including staying well informed on policy tools, zoning changes, planned development activity, etc.EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLSThe ideal candidate for the Executive Director position will possess the following:Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, urban planning, marketing, or a related field (Master’s preferred) and a minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in a similar field.  Experience leading or serving a Business Improvement District (BID).Knowledge and familiarity of Mesa and how to successfully position it against competitive destinations and experience engaging with higher education institutions and integrating academic assets into urban settings.Understanding of and experience with delivering cleaning and safety programs, public infrastructure operations and supporting economic development and business growth in a district.Proven ability to build relationships with government, civic, and private partners.Strong organization and time management skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects successfully with minimum supervision. Being a self-starter is a desired skill.Demonstrated ability to successfully manage, mentor, and lead a team.Exceptional oral presentation skills, written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail, accurate documentation, and follow-through.Ability to be tactful, courteous, and display an appropriate public image when representing the organization.Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the unique needs of the BID. It is anticipated that work hours will vary and may require evenings and weekends at times.COMPENSATIONA competitive salary commensurate with experience will be offered. A benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement contributions is also included.TO APPLYFor confidential consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to Jamie Giellis at jamie@becentro.com.