Position: Executive Director Downtown Springdale Alliance (DSA)
Location: Downtown Springdale, Arkansas
Salary: Commensurate with experience and salary history up to budget maximum $110,000
Benefits: Competitive leave and fringe benefits package
Reports to: DSA Board of Directors
About Downtown Springdale Alliance:
Downtown Springdale Alliance (DSA) was established in 2011, evolving from Mayor Doug Sprouse’s Downtown Development Task Force. DSA plays a pivotal role in revitalizing and enhancing the downtown area, partnering with diverse key stakeholders and community members to create a vibrant, inclusive community hub. DSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Position Summary:
The Executive Director of DSA is a dynamic leadership role responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations, strategic direction, and community engagement. Reporting directly to the DSA Board of Directors, the Executive Director works closely with the board chair, executive committee, and up to 15 board members, plus ex-officio representatives from downtown anchors. The Executive Director is the point of contact with the City of Springdale, negotiating and fulfilling agreements for delivery of DSA services and activities within city spaces.
The Executive Director supervises a team of seasoned professionals in administration, events/public programs, and communications/marketing. A position for a fundraising and community engagement professional has also been approved by the board. Additional services are provided by external financial and marketing professionals.
The Executive Director position is based in the heart of downtown Springdale and requires in-person work from the DSA office, with a focus on active engagement within the downtown area.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management:
- Provide visionary leadership and direction to DSA, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
- Supervise and mentor a team of professionals, fostering a collaborative, motivated, and accountable work environment.
- Develop, with board input, and implement a multi-year DSA strategic plan, setting priorities and benchmarks throughout each year, and using such plan to inform budgetary needs.
- Oversee the fiscal health of the organization, working closely with the board treasurer, accounting firm, and finance committee.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive revenue strategy that includes contributed fundraising revenue from gifts, grants, and sponsorships; and, earned revenue from ticket and merchandise sales and service contracts, informed by the strategic plan.
- Lead and oversee key staff in executing a comprehensive, multi-channel communications strategy and budget aimed at expanding regional audiences for DSA initiatives, attracting visitors and locals to Downtown Springdale, and showcasing the vibrancy of the downtown area.
- Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations:
- Serve as the primary liaison to key downtown stakeholders, including the City of Springdale (mayor, city planning department, and city council), downtown nonprofits, developers, the chamber of commerce, business owners, residents, donors, and other community leaders.
- Represent DSA to external boards, committees, and programs that complement the work of DSA.
- Collaborate with the City of Springdale in administering the Downtown Springdale Master Plan.
- Programming and Events:
- Lead the development and implementation of programming and experiences that enhance the downtown area.
- Activate city spaces such as Luther George Park, Turnbow Park, and Shiloh Square; and, coordinate events requiring street closures, including the Natural State Crit races, Christmas on the Creek, Juneteenth, and the Rodeo of the Ozarks Parade, among others.
- Operational Excellence:
- Ensure the efficient and effective operation of DSA, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and accountability.
- Monitor and evaluate the organization’s performance, making data-driven decisions to optimize outcomes.
- Maintain the organization’s fiscal soundness, ensuring operations within budget and compliance with all relevant regulations.
- Administer with senior staff the DSA board of directors, executive committee, and board committees.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in leadership roles within nonprofit or community-focused organizations.
- Demonstrated expertise in downtown revitalization, urban planning, and inclusive community development, with a commitment to fostering an environment where all voices are valued, and everyone can find a sense of belonging.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience in strategic planning, team management, and financial oversight.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials,
- business leaders, and community organizations.
- Passion for community engagement and a deep commitment to the DSA mission,
- with the ability to continuously assess, enhance, and innovate DSA programming
- to meet the evolving needs of the community.
- Strong ability to honor Springdale’s past while advancing it to reflect modern
- opportunities, with a focus on recognizing and celebrating the grit, heritage, and business success rooted in the city’s agricultural and food economy that are quintessentially Springdale.
- Collaborative approach to working with regional partners to complement and enhance initiatives, ensuring that programs and events contribute to an extraordinary regional experience, while aligning with activities in neighboring downtown areas.
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and four professional references. Applications should be submitted via email (in PDF format) to the DSA Transition Team at:
DSA Transition Committee
124 N Main Street
Springdale, AR 72764
For applications or information, email: info@downtownspringdale.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
