Position Summary President Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria

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1 The Organization The Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria (DDC) was organized in The Corporation is organized under the General Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of 1986 for charitable purposes, including, but not limited to promoting the community and economic revitalization of Downtown Peoria, Illinois. Consistent with the foregoing general purposes, the Corporation shall seek to qualify and be recognized as an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of Creating more vitality and livability in Downtown Peoria is a top priority of the region s civic and business leadership. A more vital and livable downtown is viewed as the core objective of an ambitious economic development strategy to retain and recruit employers, employees and residents, and set the foundation for regional prosperity for years to come. Peoria s downtown improvement objectives are supported by trends in demographics, lifestyles and global competition that are placing more importance on vital downtowns and livable urban districts to power regional economies. Peoria, IL Peoria has a population of almost 119,000 and is part of a regional MSA of almost 375,000. Peoria is strategically located in north central Illinois, along the Illinois River and served by I-74, I-474 and I-155, approximately 165 miles southwest of Chicago and 70 miles north of the state capital in Springfield. Peoria is the world headquarters of Caterpillar (#46 on Fortune 500), with other major employers including Archer Daniels Midland, RLI Corp., Unity Point Health-Methodist, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Bradley University (5,000 undergraduate/700 graduate students), University of Illinois College of Medicine along with numerous financial institutions, service businesses and manufacturing operations. The community has a transformed riverfront, with restaurants, shops and nearby cultural attractions including a symphony orchestra, ballet and theater. The area boasts minor league professional baseball and hockey teams, golf courses, hiking trails, parks, shopping and dining. Peoria is an excellent place to live, conduct business and raise a family. Residents benefit from attractive housing choices, outdoor recreation with parks, biking and hiking trails, and shopping options at boutique stores and national retailers. Educational opportunities include public and private schools along with college and university environments. In 2013, the City of Peoria received national recognition by receiving the All America City Award by the National Civic League. This is the fourth time the City has achieved this Award. The effort was led and executed by the Young Professionals of Greater Peoria ( YPGP ), the largest group of young professionals in the region, in conjunction with city leaders and area businesses. The YPGP is part of and sponsored by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. More information on Peoria, Peoria County and the region can be found on the following websites: City of Peoria : Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce: Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:

2 The Position Job Title: President Reports to: Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria (DDC) Location: Peoria, Illinois Reporting Relationships: The President is appointed/hired by the Board of Directors and is the Chief Executive Officer off the DDC. He/She will be responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the affairs, employees and resources of the Corporation, and for implementation of the policies and programs of the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall also serve as the President of the Board of Director and will see that the resolutions and directives of the Board of Directors are implemented. He/She shall discharge all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. He/She shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He/She may execute for the Corporation any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed. He/She will be expected to maintain and nurture relationships and interactions with; local, state and national elected officials and their staff members; the Board of Directors of the GPBA; members of the CEO Council; education officials at all levels; representatives of Focus Forward Central Illinois; other chambers in the MSA; economic development and business-focused organizations in the central Illinois region; members of the media. Position Charter: The President is the top administrative executive of the DDC and will develop and oversee the execution of the DDC s strategic plan. Additionally the President will direct all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the DDC, including managing the staff and budgets to carry out DDC objectives and implement DDC policies. The DDC should aim to provide services within an area that is inclusive and unites several sub-districts, including: the Central Business District, Warehouse District, Riverfront, South Town, North Valley, and Main Street/Renaissance Park. In addition to the district or areas noted several organizations exist with these areas that will require the President to enhance the coordination, communication and uniting where needed in scope and purpose. These organizations consist of the following: the Downtown Advisory Commission, Peoria Housing Authority, Peoria Riverfront Association, Warehouse District Association, Riverfront Programming and Policy Committee, Peoria Area Community Events, Downtown Living Neighborhood Association, and other organizations currently operating in the area or future organizations that are formed. While the DDC will want to focus redevelopment energy on specific projects or nodes, it will also deliver services such as advocacy, planning and economic development that can benefit this entire area. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The President of the DDC will not only build and manage the organization, but will quickly become the face of Downtown, representing stakeholders in a variety of contexts. A variety of skills and characteristics will be desirable for this position, including 1) knowledge of real estate and/or finance; 2) excellent communicator and consensus builder; 3) a juggler who can handle many tasks at once and is exceptionally well organized; 4) entrepreneurial and able to build an organization from lean beginnings; and 5) passionate about Downtown Peoria an individual who will eat, breathe and wake up every day with the singular focus of improving Downtown.

3 Goals and Objectives The Downtown Development Corporation will champion, accelerate and sustain the next generation of development and improvements in Downtown Peoria. The goals of this organization are to: To enhance the vitality of Downtown Peoria, Illinois by encouraging and facilitating redevelopment and historic rehabilitation projects. Be a champion and a lead for downtown development, focused solely on downtown s prosperity on a day-to-day basis. To stimulate discussion and cooperation among public agencies and the private sector with respect to community planning, development and revitalization in Downtown Peoria, Illinois. Facilitate new investment in Downtown Peoria, offering an array of services that range from supporting policies that encourage new development to becoming a transactional dealmaker to help build desirable private/public projects. To lead the efforts with public entities, private developers and existing community development corporations in the acquisition, lease, sale, design, construction, redevelopment, rehabilitation and financing of real estate projects or development of varying or different types, with the focus on creating new housing and service retail opportunities. Lead efforts with public entities, private developers and existing community development corporations to plan, fund and develop improvements that enhance Downtown Peoria s public realm, making the area more walkable, bikeable, attractive and livable. Become a manager and marketer delivering services that keep Downtown clean, safe and active. Identify key sales points and communication channels that are most relevant to potential investors. Position the organization as an information resource for the most current and consistent statistical information about the downtown and the region. Demonstrate the most effective way that information can be presented and leveraged. Position downtown development as an important focus of the region. Define and create a downtown map to help to sell the amenities/opportunities. Update regional maps to be used in conjunction with the Peoria Downtown map. Support and supplement other organizations and communication activities surrounding economic development. Leverage the brand strategy of the region. To lessen the burdens on local government by providing coordination and assistance to the City and County of Peoria, Illinois and other public entities in the programming and funding of Downtown Peoria, Illinois development projects that are in the public interest, and by providing assistance for such projects. To support public and private developers by providing technical assistance, such as market research, project feasibility, site availability and readiness information, coordination and planning, offering liaison services to navigate permitting, codes and other regulatory issues, advocating, attracting and/or packaging project financing from a variety of public and private funding services. Assist board members and community leaders with investment solicitation for DDC operations. To solicit support for the Corporation s activities from the public in general.

4 Compensation The President is expected to earn an attractive compensation package; appropriate benefits and some relocation assistance will be provided. The Candidate Education: A Bachelor s degree is required; an advanced degree in business, finance, law, public administration or related field is desirable. Experience in real estate, financing, debt instruments, public administration, development, project management and executive leadership will also be considered. Professional Qualifications: The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of success and may come from a variety of backgrounds such as: serving as the top executive within a progressive and comparably-sized organization; a senior-level executive in real estate and development organization; experience as a #2 or other senior-level executive at a larger like enterprise; or an executive from a complex private or public sector entity. At least five years of experience in a leadership role is required. In addition, significant Board interaction and experience is strongly desired. Desired Experience: Business experience (programmatic success of serving business enterprises and working with entrepreneurs; concurrently effective in dealing with large corporations and executives; experience in economic development activities, planning and zoning issues and PUD development) Management experience (strong staff leadership and human resource development; can build internal staff and enhance culture of the organization as the DDC grows) Board relationships (Board development and recruitment, governance issues and Board of Director interactions) Planning (experience in developing and implementing both operational and strategic plans). Marketing / Sales orientation (serves as the head cheerleader for the DDC; has an ability to market and promote a regional economy) Media/public relations (effectively articulates objectives and policy positions to the media and community at large). Business development (experience with bringing owners and developers together and creative in deal making) Collaborative relationships (develops partnerships among all business sectors and interested parties and districts) Fiscal management (demonstrated ability to manage financial affairs of an organization, including demonstrated strength and knowledge of cash flow statements, balance sheets and income statements). Government relations (develops effective working relationships with elected/appointed officials and their staffs) Technology skills (ability to work with all Microsoft Offices products, social media tools, accounting tools such as QuickBooks and other technology tools that are available) Diversity (experience working with diverse groups with different agendas and objectives)

5 Desired Personal Traits: Leadership (a take charge individual; can manage, motivate, challenge and delegate to others; seen as a true leader in the community) Energetic (genuinely enthusiastic; strong personal work ethic) Visibility (strong ability to reach out and build relationship with the community; highly visible to staff, members and business leaders; active in the region and community) Integrity/ethical (honest; possesses the highest moral standards) Communication skills (strong communicator with internal and external audiences; good listener; excellent written and oral communication skills) Creative (imaginative; able to envision nontraditional solutions to issues) Executive presence (polished; self-confident) TO APPLY: Send a cover letter and resume to jlynch@peoriabusiness.org.