Chief Executive Officer
Jorgenson Pace on behalf of Downtown Investment Authority, Jacksonville
Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this executive search. Please provide a cover letter detailing your qualifications for this position.
The DIA is the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown economic development arm of the City of Jacksonville. Guided by a nine-member Board of Directors, the DIA leads the way in efforts to reinvigorate Downtown as the place to live, work and visit.
Downtown Jacksonville is a dynamic, resilient, people friendly urban center that capitalizes on the importance of the St. Johns River and is the premier center for business, sports and entertainment, culture and urban living in the heart of the Southeastern U.S.
To drive growth in business and investment, create a dynamic urban living environment and enhance the quality of life in Downtown Jacksonville through the transparent and responsible leveraging of public investments, assets, infrastructure and policy.
The CEO reports to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), and provides the necessary financial and administrative reporting information and support to enable the Board to make responsible and prudent budgetary, strategy, public investment, and policy decisions. The CEO advises the DIA Board on its strategic direction and priorities of DIA to achieve its larger vision in light of changing markets, opportunities and challenges. The CEO leads, facilitates, plans, negotiates and through his/her staff manages the budgets, projects, programs and activities of the DIA. As the public face of the DIA, the CEO promotes DIA and Downtown through public speaking and outreach. The CEO works directly with the Mayor, City Council and the DIA Board, and takes an active role in City and industry leadership organizations. The CEO develops and maintains excellent relationships with all Downtown and community stakeholders, including elected officials, property owners and developers, business operators, residents, government agencies, and community leaders.
· Guides the actions of the community redevelopment agency for the Downtown to ensure timely delivery of capital projects and property dispositions, and to induce private investment and redevelopment.
· Provides expert advice on the Downtown and community central core development issues, including: housing and retail development; vacant office infill and job creation; and open space/public realm integration, river-front design, and development.
· Negotiates and packages deals with prospective investors, developers, and business owners.
· Oversees implementation of capital projects and programs consistent with the adopted plan, state statutes and local ordinance authority.
· Oversees urban planning to include design guidelines, zoning, historic preservation, and housing in order to create urban life, activities, and sustainable vitality.
· Coordinates and communicates organizational positions on local, state, and federal issues.
· Ensures that the agency is seeking new funding opportunities and complying with state and federal funding requirements (tax incentives, etc.) available for deal making.
· Leads successful downtown redevelopment initiatives.
· Manages projects in a manner consistent with their state objective(s).
· Researches and answers complex questions.
· Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with civic leaders, other City officials, and the general public.
· Communicates clear direction, manages for results, and leads organizational change.
· Assigns responsibility, takes corrective action, demonstrates leadership in evaluating, developing, and motivating employees.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Downtown and urban redevelopment, real estate financing, community redevelopment or similar capacity, at least four (4) years of which should be in a supervisory or organization leadership role or an equivalent combination of training and experience. For clarity, experience is to mean direct experience in structuring redevelopment and development projects within an urban context; experience with developing financial structures and terms either as a developer, developer’s agent or in the capacity of a community redevelopment agency or functional equivalent.
A Bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university is required in a related field such as city planning, real estate, finance, law, architecture, urban design, or public administration, with a strong preference for a Master's or law with concentration in in a related discipline.
Candidates will be checked extensively for background and references. Once strong mutual interest has been established, candidates are asked to provide a list of references that should include, but not be limited to, a supervisor, a peer, a development client and a subordinate, as applicable. Candidates will be asked to sign an authorization to release information for the purpose of the background investigation, which will include education, social media background, credit check, criminal and driving records. Should an offer be extended before to the completion of these checks, the offer will be made contingent.
PLEASE NOTE THAT UNDER FLORIDA'S VERY BROAD PUBLIC RECORDS LAW, RESUMES PROVIDED TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE OR JORGENSON PACE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, ARE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.