Position Overview

The Clarendon Alliance is the Clarendon, Courthouse and VA Square communities’ partnership and membership organization supporting local businesses and communities. Established in 1984 and designated as an 501(c)(6) non-profit in 1986, the Clarendon Alliance has a Board of Directors composed of businesses, property owners, and Civic Association representatives representing the entire community.  The Clarendon Alliance organizes and co-hosts many special events each year, including Clarendon Day, the Urban Village Market at Courthouse, the Arlington Festival of the Arts, the Music by the Metro Concert Series, Light up Clarendon as well as business support seminars. Clarendon Alliance strives to help our community thrive!

The Executive Director must have a deep passion for community building and should thrive in a non-profit setting. The Executive Director will act as the principal officer of the Clarendon Alliance, responsible for the overall administration, financial management, and day-to-day activities. The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and work with the Board to achieve its strategic plan, review and suggest refinements to this plan as needed, and build on existing organizational infrastructure to grow and enhance the effectiveness and reputation of the organization. 

This is a highly hands-on leadership role in which the Executive Director serves as the sole staff member, responsible for all aspects of the organization and required to balance strategic oversight with day-to-day execution in a resource-constrained environment.

Responsibilities

OPERATIONS

Plan for financial sustainability and viability by conducting a strategic membership development campaign, exploring new potential business structures, maintaining and growing sponsor partnerships, exercising cost saving measures, and identifying opportunities for growth. Prepare and recommend annual plan and operating budgets to the Board for approval. Assure adherence to these plans, maintaining all organizational records and providing the Board with monthly management reports, operating statements and cost and program analyses.

MEMBERSHIP

Actively seek out new members and build collaborative relationships with restaurants, retail, other businesses and residents. Utilize the GrowthZone AMS system to recruit, track, and retain membership. Offer programs and services that provide value to members.

EVENT PLANNING

Produce our flagship events, including Clarendon Day, Music by the Metro, and Light up Clarendon as well as other small business support and public events that serve the mission of the Clarendon Alliance.

PLACEMAKING

Promote Clarendon and its many attributes to the greater Washington area and to visitors from around the world. Work collaboratively with Arlington Economic Development, Stay Arlington, and other neighborhood BIDS and partnerships within the Arlington community to provide exciting events and programs that enhance the community.

ENGAGEMENT

Actively engage with Clarendon businesses, residents, and nonprofits to understand their needs and concerns, and maintain a customer relationship management database documenting meetings, significant details, and recommendations for action steps. Act as a resource for businesses, residents and the Arlington County government to address community issues.

COMMUNITY

Build substantive relationships with government, civic groups, non-profits, and like-minded organizations to strengthen Clarendon’s position in the community. Support the Board of the Clarendon Alliance and its committees and serve the Board as its spokesperson and as its liaison with the Clarendon and Arlington business community, local, state, and federal government agencies, and other community and professional organizations.

MARKETING

Define strategies, identify and hire implementation partners, and ensure effective execution of marketing campaigns for membership developments, events promotion, members support, and overall placemaking and promotion of the Clarendon corridor and the Clarendon Alliance. Execute or manage partners for timely web content updates, social media content development and strategic online partnerships. Create a repeatable system for extending our efforts by leveraging county partnerships, members and community stakeholders to amplify promotion online, in retail locations, and in residential and commercial spaces.

Qualifications

• Public/private partnerships, economic and community development, urban revitalization and/or small business development is preferred.

• Membership development and fundraising

• Event planning and execution

• Marketing, third party vendors to execute a variety of events and programming

• Experience with CRM and program management tools

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a highly energetic and creative self-starter with a proven track record of leading institutional or department growth.

• Have thorough and progressive experience in organizing, implementing and managing a comprehensive plan to promote local businesses, events, programs, activities and opportunities as well as the ability to efficiently and sensitively incorporate diverse volunteers, individuals, groups, businesses, local government agencies and organizations.

• Possess the ability to work with diverse business and community leaders and to function independently.

• Have prior management experience.

• Have skills to build and document repeatable, effective systems.

• Have a working knowledge of standard administrative and accounting practice.

• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.

Position Environment

This full time position requires flexibility in scheduling to accommodate meetings and event production outside of the standard 9-5 workday. The Executive Director may telecommute but also have access to office space in the heart of Clarendon for mail collection, conference space, and meetings, as needed. There is an expectation that a significant amount of time will be spent in the Virginia Square/Clarendon/Courthouse area.

Annual Compensation Package

Base salary is $90,000, with the potential to earn additional incentive compensation tied to sponsorship and membership development.