Executive Director of Durham Next

Location:  Durham, NC
Position:   Executive Director of Durham Next

SUMMARY:

Executive Director Job Description
FLSA status: Exempt
Reports to: Discover Durham CEO

OPPORTUNITY
Discover Durham, Durham, NC’s Tourism Development Authority and destination marketing organization, is seeking a visionary, entrepreneurial, founding Executive Director to lead the newly formed 501(c)3 Durham Next. Durham Next was created to lead the research, planning, and implementation of initiatives that advance Durham as the best place to live, work, and visit.

Guided by the vision and goals of the Destination Master Plan completed in 2024, the successful Executive Director will be an influential community leader who will build strong relationships and inspire support for a wide range of initiatives. Reporting to the Discover Durham CEO, the ED will lead Durham Next staff and collaborate with Discover Durham team members, the Durham Sports Commission, the Durham Next Board of Directors, the Durham Next Community Advisory Council and a variety of community stakeholders to set goals and manage the implementation of projects and initiatives to achieve them.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
➢ Strategy Leadership and Community Asset/Initiative Implementation
The founding Executive Director of Durham Next is charged with collaboratively creating and implementing
strategies that will serve as the roadmap to implement the Destination Master Plan.
• Guided by the vision and goals of the latest Master Plan, direct the ongoing prioritization and stewardship of projects and initiatives (i.e., tourism infrastructure, attractions, events, experiences) to advance Durham as the best place to live, work, and visit.
• In collaboration with the Durham Next Board, Discover Durham team members, Durham Sports Commission, and Community Advisory Committee, develop the action plan for prioritizing and implementing projects and initiatives that are aligned with community priorities.
• Strategically leverage market research, consultants, contractors, and return on investment considerations to achieve goals and maximize the investment in community assets and initiatives.
• For large projects responsibilities include:
o Develop and issue RFPs for contractors, oversee the selection of these and manage the relationships through implementation.
o Coordinate site selection processes for prioritized community assets/initiatives.
o Work closely with government and other community partners to determine what entities will manage these assets/initiatives once development is complete.
• Lead and champion a robust, ongoing practice of seeking community input and engagement that informs individual project goals and design requirements.
• Establish and oversee a matching grants program that provides support to community-based projects aligned with the mission of Durham Next.
• Identify partners from local government, nonprofits, and businesses to collaborate with on initiatives aligned with Durham Next’s mission and the Master Plan’s vision and goals.
• Regularly review the Destination Master Plan and update, with board and staff input, at least annually, ensuring it accurately reflects progress with initiatives and significant changes in community priorities.

➢Communication and Relationship Building
• The Executive Director will be the key executive representing Durham Next in the community and developing relationships to accomplish the mission of the organization.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for Durham Next, the Master Plan, and assets/initiatives under development.
• Recruit and maintain an Advisory Board and subcommittees, as needed, that are representative of the community and support the implementation of the Master Plan. Foster and maintain ongoing and open communication with these Durham Next volunteer leaders.
• Working closely with Discover Durham’s marketing team, oversee Durham Next’s communication strategies, including media relations, community presentations, public statements, website, and print and digital materials to assure appropriate and accurate flow of information to stakeholders and members of the community.
• Attend and participate in community meetings that bear potential impact on the organization and its priority initiatives, including representing Durham Next in partner-led initiatives aligned with DN’s mission.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with governmental agencies, elected officials, and economic development partners to find collaborative and bi- or non-partisan approaches to fulfilling the vision and goals of the Master Plan.
• Monitor public policy, codes, and ordinances and report activities and issues that may impact the interests of the organization.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state associations, national associations, public service organizations, and others, as necessary and in the best interests of Durham Next.
• Develop and manage relationships with Durham Next Board of Directors.
• Work with city and county staff leaders to define collaboration processes that ensure the most efficient possible approaches for working together on Durham Next projects.

➢Fund Development and Fiscal Management
Durham Next funding has been created through legislation passed in 2024 that makes a portion of occupancy tax available for these initiatives; the Durham Next team’s collaboration with local government and pursuit of state and federal grants and corporate involvement will augment those funds to expand the impact of the organization. Operational expenses for Durham Next are the responsibility of Discover
Durham so these revenues (estimated to grow to $5 million annually) will be used to fund projects.
• As a member of Discover Durham’s Executive Team, work closely with executive management to ensure Durham Next’s efforts are consistent with legal requirements tying occupancy tax funding to tourism-related efforts, and to navigate complex partnership relationships in ways that reflect integrity and avoid potential conflicts of interest.
• Provide periodic updates and progress reports on Durham Next activities to the Discover Durham Executive Team and the Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors, including presenting proposals for approval of project funding that utilize occupancy tax funds.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of local, state, and federal funding processes pertinent to the scope of Durham Next.
• Develop and implement financing strategies for projects and initiatives in conjunction with the Durham Next board of directors, project teams, outside partners/developers, local government, and/or others as appropriate for each project, and consistent with applicable laws and internal policies. Recruit the involvement of external partners in support of these efforts as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Discover Durham CFO, oversee Durham Next policies, procedures, and internal controls for prudent financial management to ensure alignment with legal requirements and relevant Discover Durham policies and practices.
• Plan and manage the Durham Next budget to align with DN’s strategic goals, collaborating with the CFO to assure all assets of the organization are appropriately safeguarded and administered and that gifts are used as intended by the donors.
• Oversee and, where appropriate, lead fundraising from public and private philanthropic sources.

➢People and Organizational Leadership
Discover Durham fosters a high-performing, innovative, healthy and inclusive culture essential to attracting and retaining the best employees. The Durham Next ED and staff should reflect and contribute to this culture.
• Lead the Durham Next team in embracing these organizational values and practices in support of a healthy and productive work environment.
• As a member of Discover Durham’s Executive and Leadership Teams, contribute to the overall strategic planning and leadership of the organization.
• Ensure adequate staffing and contractor levels to meet Durham Next’s mission and goals.
• Maintain up-to-date job descriptions and work plans for each staff member and provide supervision to and evaluation of staff in a fair and equitable manner.
• Offer staff initial training and ongoing professional development and opportunities for growth.

VALUES, PERSONALITY TRAITS, AND COMPETENCIES
REQUIRED
• Commitment to and passion for the Durham Next mission and values.
• Significant experience in a senior management role, including leading staff, managing organizational budgets, and working with boards of directors.
• Ability to lead in a highly collaborative environment.
• Exceptional leadership presence; able to engage, work with, and influence people, with significant expertise in working with outside partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage projects, with excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, versatility, and ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to connect with a wide variety of stakeholders, alliances, and partnerships.
• Impeccable integrity, highly motivated, and positive “can-do” attitude.
• Computer skills to include Microsoft Office suite, CRMs and collaborative document editing via cloud storage tools (such as Dropbox and Google Drive), video conferencing, and experience with project management platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

PREFERRED
• Experience in placemaking to include overseeing capital investment projects, including working with a range of contractors such as architects and designers, engineers, project managers, commercial developers, and prospective investors.
• Experience developing multi-faceted financing strategies for major capital projects, potentially including public funding instruments, P3s, state, federal and private grants, sponsorships, and traditional financing.
• Experience leading robust community engagement processes to inform project requirements.
• Experience working with local government authorities on economic development-related projects, including on issues of land use planning and permitting.
• Media relations experience.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Physical ability to navigate project sites, potentially including uneven terrain, stairs, curbs, or other obstacles.

HOW TO APPLY
The Durham Next Executive Director will be an employee of Discover Durham which offers a competitive salary and generous benefits including a pension plan. To apply, please email your letter of interest and resume to Elinvar at patti@elinvar.com. Candidates are encouraged to apply by April 30, 2025.

Discover Durham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We are committed to maintaining a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and
harassment.