Downtown Watertown Collective Director

Downtown Watertown Collective Director
Downtown Watertown Collective
Watertown, South Dakota

Our Vision
The Downtown Watertown Collective exists to strengthen downtown as the heart of our community, a vibrant place for shopping, dining, gathering, and celebrating local businesses.

Position Overview
The Downtown Watertown Collective is seeking a dynamic, driven, and community-focused professional to serve as our Downtown Collective Director.

This individual will act as the connector and catalyst for downtown business growth, events, marketing, and district vitality. The Director will help implement the Collective’s strategic vision while building strong relationships with business owners, city leaders, community partners, and residents.

This role is ideal for someone who loves and understands entrepreneurship, community building, and promotion.

This is not simply an event planning role; it is a leadership position that drives measurable downtown impact while ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Membership & Business Engagement

• Serve as the primary contact for downtown businesses
• Conduct regular business visits and outreach
• Grow and retain membership within the Downtown Collective
• Maintain clear communication with members
• Assist with onboarding and welcoming new downtown businesses
• Foster collaboration between businesses for promotions and events
• Build strong community relationships that support business retention, recruitment, and overall downtown vitality

Event & District Activation

• Coordinate and support downtown events, including:
• Soup Stroll
• Foundation Plaza programming
• Pumpkin Palooza
• Deck the Downtown
• Downtown shopping promotions
• The Art of Downtown (Artwalk)
• Manage event planning, logistics, and execution
• Coordinate volunteers and event staffing
• Support event marketing efforts
• Manage event budgets
• Create engaging, high-quality experiences that drive foot traffic

Marketing & Promotion

• Promote downtown as a destination for shopping, dining, and events
• Manage social media and digital communication
• Collaborate with businesses on promotions and campaigns
• Support coordinated marketing efforts
• Manage press releases and media outreach
• Strengthen and maintain a cohesive downtown brand

Economic Development Support

• Support business recruitment and retention
• Identify opportunities for downtown growth and improvement
• Track event participation and engagement metrics
• Assist with grant opportunities and funding initiatives
• Communicate downtown impact and ROI
• Contribute to long-term economic development strategies

Fundraising & Sponsorship Development

• Develop and manage sponsorship opportunities
• Build relationships with sponsors and community partners
• Assist with grant writing and reporting
• Identify new funding opportunities

Board & Organizational Leadership

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to implement strategy
• Provide regular updates on membership, events, and engagement
• Support board and committee initiatives
• Operate effectively with evolving direction as the organization grows

Financial & Operational Oversight

• Assist with development of the annual budget
• Manage event budgets and track financial performance
• Support tracking of membership dues, sponsorships, and revenue

Volunteer & Community Engagement

• Recruit, coordinate, and retain volunteers
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for community participation

Advocacy & Partnerships

• Advocate for downtown businesses and initiatives
• Build relationships with city leadership, economic development groups, and community partners
• Attend community meetings and represent the Downtown Collective

Qualifications

• Experience in event planning, marketing, business development, or community engagement
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving ability
• Passion for local business and downtown development
• Experience with fundraising, sponsorships, or grants is a plus

Key Traits for Success

• Highly motivated and self-directed
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Creative and solution-oriented
• Passionate about downtown vitality
• Strong relationship builder and community connector

Position Details
Location: Watertown, South Dakota
Employer: Downtown Watertown Collective
Schedule: Flexible; event-based hours required
Compensation: Competitive and based on experience

How to Apply
Submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position
• Professional references

Confidential Applications can be submitted to:
Downtown Collective Search
PO Box 615
Watertown, SD 57201

Work Location: In person