Program Manager Job Description
1. Work Objectives
The Program Manager coordinates activity within a downtown revitalization
program which utilizes historic preservation as an integral foundation for
downtown economic development.
He/She is responsible for the development, conduct, execution and documentation
of The Downtown Project. The Program Manager is the principal on-site staff
person responsible for coordinating all project activities locally as well
as for representing the community regionally and nationally as appropriate.
2. Full Range of Duties to be Performed
a. Coordinate activity of The Downtown Project committees, ensuring that
communication between committees is well established; assist committees
with implementation of work plan items.
b. Manage all administrative aspects of The Downtown Project, including
purchasing, record keeping, budget development and accounting, preparing
all reports required by the state The Downtown Project, assisting with the
preparation of reports to funding agencies and supervising part-time employees
or consultants.
c. Develop, in conjunction with The Downtown Project's Board of Directors,
strategies for downtown economic development through historic preservation
utilizing the community's human and economic resources. Become familiar
with all persons and groups directly or indirectly involved in the downtown
commercial district. Mindful of the roles of various downtown interest groups,
assist The Downtown Project's Board of Directors and committees in developing
an annual action plan for implementing a downtown revitalization program
focused on four areas: design/historic preservation, promotion, organization/management
and economic restructuring/development.
d. Develop and conduct ongoing public awareness and education programs designed
to enhance appreciation of the downtown's architecture and other assets
and to foster an understanding of The Downtown Project's goals and objectives.
Through speaking engagements, media interviews and appearance, keep the
Program highly visible in the community.
e. 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.
f. Assess the management capacity of major downtown organizations and encourage
improvements in the downtown community's ability to undertake joint activities
such as promotional events, advertising, uniform store hours, special events,
business recruitment, parking management and so on. Provide advice and information
on successful downtown management. Encourage a cooperative climate between
downtown interests and local public officials.
g. Advise downtown merchants' organization and/or Chamber of Commerce retail
committees on The Downtown Project activities and goals and assist in the
coordination of joint promotional events, such as seasonal festivals or
cooperative retail promotional events, in order to improve the quality and
success of events to attract people downtown; work closely with local media
to ensure maximum event coverage; encourage design excellence in all aspects
of promotion in order to advance an image of quality for the downtown.
h. Help build strong and productive working relationships with appropriate
public agencies at the local and state levels.
i. Utilizing The Downtown Project format, develop and maintain data systems
to track the process and progress of the local Downtown Project. These systems
should include economic monitoring, individual building files, thorough
photographic documentation of all physical changes and information on job
creation and business retention.
j. Represent the community at the local, state and national levels to important
constituencies. Speak effectively on the program's directions and findings,
always mindful of the need to improve state and national economic development
policies as they relate to smaller communities.
3. Resource Management Responsibilities
The Program Manager supervises any necessary temporary or permanent employees,
as well as professional consultants. He/she participates in personnel and
project evaluations. The Program Manager maintains local Downtown Project
records and reports, establishes technical resource files and libraries
and prepares regular reports. The Program Manager monitors the annual project
budget and maintains local financial records.
4. Job Knowledge and Skills Required
The Program Manager should have education and/or experience in one or more
of the following areas: architecture, historic preservation, economics,
finance, public relations, design, journalism, planning, business administration,
public administration, retailing, volunteer or nonprofit administration
and/or small business development. The Program Manager must be sensitive
to design and preservation issues. The Manager must understand the issues
confronting downtown business people, property owners, public agencies and
community organizations. The Manger must be entrepreneurial, energetic,
imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in every
independent situation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
are essential. Supervisory skills are desirable.