Downtown Manager

The City of Wilson, North Carolina has an opening for a full-time Downtown Manager who will lead the organization’s downtown development efforts. The Downtown Manager is responsible for the initiation and promotion of programs to improve, preserve and enhance the downtown and to promote the improvement, overall appearance and economic vitality of the area.

Major responsibilities of this position include being the lead person working with the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC), Wilson Downtown Properties, Inc. the City of Wilson and other local partners to create a coherent vision for the revitalization of Downtown Wilson and to recruit target markets for business development. The successful candidate will serve as a “deal maker” bringing together property owners, recruited businesses, community partners and essential tools to spur increased business activity in the downtown area.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, urban planning, marketing or a similar field with considerable experience working in a downtown development capacity. Substantial knowledge of real estate fundamentals, downtown development, grant writing and business recruitment is essential. This position requires an enthusiastic professional that is outgoing, sales oriented and who can provide leadership, direction and develop consensus. Computer proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point is required. Salary is dependent on qualifications.

Wilson is ideally located at the crossroads of I-95 and HWY. 264. We are 35 miles from Raleigh and 2 hours from the NC coast.

Downtown Wilson is experiencing increased interest from the private sector. In recent months, two new restaurants have opened and two more are under renovation. The former Belk’s Department Store has been renovated into a business incubator facility that houses the relocated offices of the regional council of governments. The City of Wilson is rehabilitating the Carter Bank Building that will be used as a customer service center. Wilson Downtown Properties, Inc., the redevelopment arm of WDDC, recently purchased an historic tobacco warehouse and is actively exploring ways to adaptively reuse this space. Finally, Wilson is recognized as a technological leader through the construction of the state’s first municipally owned fiber optic network. It provides state-of-the-art Internet access, superior TV images and dependable phone service.

We are looking for a professional who can sustain this momentum and facilitate the further advancement of economic vitality in Wilson’s downtown.

Please send cover letter, resume and four professional references to Leigh Ann Braswell, City of Wilson, PO Box 10, Wilson, NC 27894. This position is open until filled.