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Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District Seeks Executive Director

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Organization Description:

The mission of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID) is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe, welcoming and dynamic commercial district in Sunnyside, Queens. The BID is a non-profit partnership of local property owners, business owners, residents and elected officials working together to promote, beautify and enhance the Sunnyside commercial district. Our major programs include supplemental sanitation, district marketing, special events, streetscape improvements, beautification initiatives and graffiti removal.

The Sunnyside Shines BID covers all properties fronting Queens Boulevard from 38th Street to 50th Street, as well as Greenpoint Avenue from Queens Boulevard to mid-block between 42nd and 43rd Streets.

Job Description:

The Sunnyside Shines BID seeks a new Executive Director to lead the organization. This is a full-time position responsible for the overall management and strategy of the organization. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and coordinates closely with the Executive Committee.

The primary responsibilities of the Executive Director will be:

Programmatic:

  • Oversee all BID programs, including supplemental sanitation, marketing and events, streetscape initiatives, plaza management and holiday lighting, often involving the oversight of subcontractors
  • Plan and oversee all events, including but not limited to the Taste of Sunnyside, weekly plaza programming, Sunnyside Restaurant Week, holiday lighting events, Small Business Saturday
  • Produce compelling marketing initiatives and collateral that promote local businesses and the overall district
  • Plan and lead new initiatives and contracting opportunities that generate revenue for the organization
  • Conduct surveys and data collection efforts to understand and improve the success of the BID’s programs and reach

Administrative:

  • Oversee all BID finances, and work closely with the Office Manager and Treasurer to ensure compliance with the BID’s financial policies and approved budget, including oversight of annual audit
  • Oversee all fundraising efforts from public and private sources
  • Oversee grant management for multiple grant contracts which includes contract registration and timely submission of payment requests and grant reports, and ensure that all grant deliverables are met or exceeded
  • Liaise with the board and manage all board meetings and meetings of board committees
  • Manage and mentor staff members and interns

Communications/External Relations:

  • Represent the organization to external stakeholders, including elected officials, City agencies, community partners and the media
  • Act as the BID’s liaison to the NYC Department of Small Business Services, and ensure all deliverables such as the SBS annual report are submitted in a timely manner
  • Regularly conduct outreach to BID business owners to understand issues facing local businesses and connect them to appropriate City resources
  • Maintain the BID’s website and active presence on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; produce regular e-newsletters

Qualifications:

Successful candidates for this position will have at least five years’ experience working in some combination of the following areas: managing a nonprofit organization, leading economic development initiatives, constituent services, or urban planning programs, or directing a small business assistance program. A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Substantive administrative and contract management experience
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational and management skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders
  • A demonstrated record of leadership and success in strategic planning and problem solving
  • A strong commitment to the needs of the BID’s business and residential communities
  • Experience planning and leading events, including supervising volunteers and vendors
  • Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff
  • High level of comfort using digital technology, including social media, MS Office software and Quickbooks
  • Strong writing skills and ability to produce a variety of written deliverables, ranging from annual reports, press releases, newsletter content and social media updates
  • Knowledge of the Sunnyside community preferred
  • Understanding of city government, BIDs and economic development

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter, resume and work sample to info@sunnysideshines.org. The deadline to apply is February 10, 2017. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please do not contact the BID office directly about this position.

Application deadline February 10, 2017