Greater Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce Development / Alger County Chamber of Commerce & Munising Downtown Development Authority

Position Overview

The Executive Director provides leadership for two closely connected community organizations: Greater Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce Development/Alger County Chamber of Commerce (GMBPCD) and the Munising Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The position advances economic development, supports local businesses, strengthens partnerships, manages organizational resources, and helps create a vibrant, sustainable community.

What You Will Lead

Organizational & Financial Leadership

• Maintain a financially stable and sustainable organization.
• Review financial statements monthly; increase and retain Chamber membership.
• Organize annual fundraisers/events and build revenue streams while controlling expenses.
• Increase revenue annually and maintain positive relationships with financial contributors.
• Research and pursue additional funding opportunities that strengthen the organization and promote Munising, Alger County, and its economy.

Member Service & Business Support

• Build and strengthen relationships and communication with members and prospective members.
• Enrich member services through increased marketing and website promotion.
• Provide members with opportunities for economic development, grants, training and resources to help businesses develop and grow.

Economic & Community Development

• Ensure economic development initiatives contribute to progress throughout Alger County by researching available grant opportunities, actively pursuing funding, and supporting projects that strengthen the local community and the regional economy.
• Represent, promote and advocate for Alger County at regional and statewide economic development meetings.
• Assist with the attraction, technical assistance, promotion and retention of businesses that sustain and grow employment opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies that support a stable, healthy business environment and a strong local revenue base.
• Identify development and redevelopment opportunities, coordinate resources, conduct market research, gather economic data, and prepare/present information to organizations and public officials.

Partnerships & Community Relations

• Work cooperatively with appropriate organizations and government units.
• Maintain relationships with the Visitors Bureau, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, townships, City and County government.
• Actively pursue collaborative projects with local, regional and state organizations and governments.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business leaders, organizations, developers, community groups and other agencies and institutions.

Downtown Development Authority Leadership

• Maintain open communication and build strong relationships with the DDA Board, City/City Manager, DDA businesses and staff.
• Prioritize and assist with Partnership/DDA and community projects and developments.
• Research and implement placemaking projects that make downtown Munising an appealing place to do business and for visitors and residents to spend time.
• Ensure downtown infrastructure—lighting, sidewalks, streets, gardening, outdoor furniture and receptacles, holiday décor, banners and related amenities—is maintained.
• Supervise DDA grant offerings and awards.
• Collaborate with area organizations and governmental entities and promote involvement in DDA projects and committees.
• Understand and embrace the role downtown Munising plays with surrounding communities and public lands.
• As Economic Developer, help current businesses succeed and attract new businesses by maintaining knowledge of services, funding assistance, opportunities and available lands/space in the DDA district.
• Maintain a cohesive understanding of the respective roles of the Partnership and DDA while balancing work appropriately between the two.
• Where applicable, utilize downtown district businesses for services before looking elsewhere; for non-bid services, distribute patronage among competing downtown businesses as evenly as possible.

Marketing, Communications & Technology

• Increase awareness of GMBPCD throughout Alger County and the Upper Peninsula.
• Engage Board members and membership in GMBPCD activities.
• Keep the website and promotional literature current and focus on marketing services.
• Develop and implement media outreach and public relations efforts that promote GMBPCD, the Munising DDA, Alger County, Munising, and local businesses, highlighting community achievements, economic opportunities, events, and initiatives.
• Actively participate in organizations within and outside Alger County.
• Supervise and participate in website development, social media accounts and technology issues.
• Create materials that promote the community to prospective businesses and investors and oversee updates and accuracy of economic development website content.

Position Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in business, marketing or public administration.
• Minimum 3–5 years of management experience, including finance, budgeting, personnel and strategic planning.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience working with economic/community development.
• Travel to meetings, conferences, trainings and events as necessary.  Valid driver’s license is required. 
• Willingness and flexibility to meet occasional work commitments during evenings and weekends.

Preferred Experience & Competencies

• Public speaking and professional presentation
• Website and social media management
• QuickBooks, Microsoft Suite, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Board relations and governance
• Grant writing and administration
• Building relationships with organizations and community partners
• Short- and long-range planning and strategic thinking
• Marketing, business recruitment, retention and attraction
• Business expansion, development and redevelopment initiatives
• Market research, economic data collection and analysis
• Preparing reports and presenting information to organizations and public officials
• Liaison work among departments, external organizations and individual businesses
• Conference and trade-show participation and awareness of industry trends
• Supporting zoning and planning for economic development
• Staff supervision and professional development

The Opportunity

This is a community-focused leadership role for a professional who can connect strategy with action. The successful candidate will build relationships, strengthen local businesses, advance economic development, support downtown vitality, manage resources responsibly, and represent Munising and Alger County with credibility and enthusiasm.

Salary range: $70,000-$80,000

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance

To Apply

Submit your cover letter, resume, and three references to hpeoples@upmichiganworks.org.