Director

Our Vision

We envision Downtown Chapel Hill as a clean, safe, and vibrant destination that honors its rich traditions while embracing an exciting and evolving future.  

Our Mission

The mission of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership (CHDP) is to serve as a hub for collaborative government, university, business and community partnerships to ensure the downtown district is a thriving, clean and safe destination for all who live, visit, work and learn here. We will manage enhanced services to create a clean and inviting district, distribute augmented resources to improve safety, and provide critical insights to inform community needs and priorities.

Role Summary

Working under the general guidance of the Board of Directors and reporting to the Board, the Director will serve as the lead manager of CHDP. This role is responsible for overseeing daily operations, advancing the organization’s mission to make downtown Chapel Hill a vibrant place to live, work, and visit, and ensuring continuity and momentum in the planning and execution of the CHDP’s strategic plan.

The Director will act as the primary external representative of CHDP, manage a small staff and/or contractors, and work collaboratively with the Town of Chapel Hill, UNC-Chapel Hill, downtown businesses, and the broader community.

Primary Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Partnerships

• Establish strong, collaborative relationships and actively engage with Town of Chapel Hill officials, university leadership, local businesses, property owners, residents and community partners
• Build structural and relational scaffolding to ensure success of Block-by-Block services 
• Lead organizational efforts to foster a culture of support and accountability as a steward of Municipal Service District (MSD) funds in partnership with Board 
• Identify new opportunities to enhance CHDP’s mission, particularly around downtown vibrancy 

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee all communications including newsletter, social media and event marketing
• Assess and execute immediate and ongoing communication needs/strategies
• Scrub/curate existing stakeholder database to clarify roles and recipients
• Champion marketing initiatives to clarify and enhance CHDP’s brand

Grant Management & Fundraising

• Oversee existing grant programs, ensuring compliance, tracking milestones and preparing interim and final reports to funders and stakeholders as required
• Establish project and grant management system for program management, evaluation and reporting
• Contribute to development of fundraising plan to include both annual giving activities and cultivation of major gifts with the goal of diversifying funding streams in partnership with Board
• Identify new funding opportunities

Essential Management Duties

• Manage annual budget development and operations within budget guidelines
• Manage CHDP finances, including invoicing, payments, payroll, financial reporting, and taxes, in consultation with outside advisors (e.g., accountants) 
• Provide direct leadership and guidance to CHDP staff and contractors and foster a culture of support and accountability

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience including working with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Financial management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Work, or a related field of study
• Passion for the downtown district and greater Chapel Hill area

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Track record of developing and executing on fundraising plans
• Experience leading a non-profit organization 
• Experience preparing grant applications and manage grant requirements
• Experience managing organizational change and transitions
• Demonstrated success in navigating complex partnerships and diverse stakeholder interests
• Experience working with Boards of Directors
• Deep understanding of the Town of Chapel Hill and UNC-CH

Compensation

Compensation is based on alignment of skill set and experience. Includes benefits.

Virtual and on-site work required, with expectation to be in the Downtown Chapel Hill office at least 4 days per week. 

Availability to start June 2026.