Braselton Seeks Downtown Director

The town of Braselton is actively seeking an exciting new addition to its team to tackle the dual role of downtown economic development director and Main Street program executive director.

The downtown director will be responsible for coordinating economic development activities within historic downtown Braselton. He or she will also be expected to head up the development, execution and documentation of the Main Street program — an initiative developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation designed to incorporate a preservation-based revitalization of the “Main Street” downtown area as an integral part of the area’s economic development efforts. As the on-site staff person responsible for coordinating all Main Street program activities, committees and volunteers, the program director will also represent the community regionally and nationally as appropriate and help guide the organization as its objectives evolve.

Some of the director’s main duties will include:

• Management of all administrative aspects of the Main Street program, including purchasing, record keeping, budget development, accounting, preparing all reports required by the state Main Street program and by the National Main Street Center, assisting with the preparation of reports to funding agencies and supervising employees and/or consultants.
• Partnering with the Braselton Downtown Development Authority board members to develop downtown economic development strategies that are based on historic preservation and utilize the community's human and economic resources. Become familiar with all persons and groups directly and indirectly involved in the downtown. Mindful of the roles of various downtown interest groups, assist the Braselton DDA board members and committees in developing an annual action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program focused on four areas: design/historic preservation; promotion and marketing; organization/management; and economic restructuring/development. 
• Development and implementation of on-going public awareness and education programs designed to enhance appreciation of the downtown's assets and to foster an understanding of the Main Street program's goals and objectives. Use speaking engagements, media interviews, and personal appearances to keep the program in the public eye.
• Assist individual tenants or property owners with physical improvement projects through personal consultation or by obtaining and supervising professional design consultants; assist in locating appropriate contractors and materials; when possible, participate in construction supervision; provide advice and guidance on necessary financial mechanisms for physical improvements.
• Assess the management capacity of major downtown organizations and encourage improvements in the downtown community's ability to carry out joint activities such as promotional events, advertising, appropriate store hours, special events, business assistance, business recruitment, parking management, and so on. Provide advice and information on successful downtown management. Encourage a cooperative climate among downtown interests and local public officials.
• Advise downtown merchants organizations on Main Street program activities and goals; help coordinate joint promotional events, such as festivals or business promotions, to improve the quality and success of events and attract people to downtown; work closely with local media to ensure maximum coverage of promotional activities; encourage design excellence in all aspects of promotion in order to advance an image of quality for the downtown.
• Help build strong and productive relationships with appropriate public agencies at the local and state levels.
• Utilizing the Main Street program format, develop and maintain data systems to track the progress of the local Main Street program. These systems should include economic monitoring, individual building files, photographic documentation of physical changes, and statistics on job creation and business retention.
• Represent the community to important constituencies at the local, state, and national levels. Speak effectively on the program's directions and work, mindful of the need to improve state and national economic development policies as they relate to commercial districts.

Qualified candidates for the position of director should have education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: commercial district management, economics, finance, public relations, planning, business administration, public administration, retailing, volunteer or nonprofit administration, architecture, historic preservation and/or small business development. The program director must be sensitive to design and preservation issues and must understand the issues confronting downtown business people, property owners, public agencies and community organizations. The director must be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Supervisory skills are desirable.

The work consists of varied administrative and secretarial duties that will serve to support the efforts of the town manager, DDA and BVBA. Successful performance in this position facilitates department relations, downtown economic development and affects the image of the town. The director will typically interact with department heads, other town employees, elected and appointed officials, local, county and state officials, chambers of commerce, real estate professionals, land owners, business representatives and the general public.

Currently, this is a part time position of at least 20 hours per week without benefits. Hours will increase to a minimum of 32 hours per week when the town of Braselton receives the Main Street designation, at which time the position may become eligible for full time benefits. Hourly rate range is $17 to 27 depending on qualifications.

To apply for this position, please mail or e-mail a cover letter, application, resume and list of three professional references to:

Nan Edwards
Finance and Human Resources
P. O. Box 306
4982 Highway 53
Braselton, GA 30517
nedwards@braselton.net

The application for employment is available for download here. Application packets may also be hand-delivered to Braselton Town Hall at 4982 Ga. Highway 53 in downtown Braselton. The application deadline is Aug. 10. Phone inquiries will not be accepted. For more information, view the complete downtown director job description online on the town of Braselton website.

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