Executive Director
Downtown Framingham, Inc
Job Description
Please apply with a cover letter and resume by Friday, December 2. Applications without
a cover letter will not be considered. Expected start date is early January 2023, but could be
sooner.
About Downtown Framingham, Inc.
Downtown Framingham, Inc (DFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to building
business, community, and culture through the Main Street America model with its four tenets of
economic vitality, organizational partnerships, urban design and placemaking.
Role Description
The DFI Board of Directors seeks a self-motivated, entrepreneurial and passionate Executive
Director to help guide downtown Framingham toward a vibrant and prosperous future. The
Executive Director will continue DFI’s work to implement best practices in economic and
community development, delivering successful growth of our diverse central business district.
The Executive Director must be able to think critically and innovatively about the future of
Downtown Framingham. The Executive Director will also serve as a conduit to City Government
for the many stakeholders in downtown.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the implementation of new and existing programs
within the following core areas: administration, fundraising, community engagement, and
program development & implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Administration
● Partner with the Board of Directors for strategic planning, financial planning and program
development.
● Manage and hire staff and interns.
● Ensure meeting minutes are recorded, state/federal taxes and required state reports are
filed, and all programs are adequately tracked. Ensure books are kept, contracts are
billed and reported, and financial reports are given to the board.
Fundraising
● Oversee fundraising, including managing existing grants, researching new funding
sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting grant proposals and
seeking local support.
● Maintain a well-administered and financially sound organization by keeping accurate
records.
Community Engagement
● Partner with the City of Framingham, community leaders and local organizations to
engage the public in downtown decision-making. Attend relevant community and
government meetings/events (some evenings and occasional weekends) to represent
DFI and network with other organizations.
● Work with downtown business owners to help them grow and succeed through the
sharing of best practices, technical assistance and local policy support.
● Maintain and build partnerships with community groups, residents, community leaders,
funders, elected officials, developers and city staff to achieve organizational goals.
● Create and execute the organization’s communications strategy.
● Maintain and grow DFI’s volunteer program.
Program Development & Implementation
● Develop programs in line with the Main Street America model with clear goals, plans and
outcomes using input from the DFI Board of Directors, local leaders and the business
community.
● Plan events that promote downtown and drive visitation to the area.
● Survey and represent downtown businesses to identify, track, and overcome barriers to
investment and job creation.
● Track and report on measurable outcomes.
Qualifications & Experience
● Residency in Framingham or neighboring MetroWest towns strongly preferred. Ability to
work in downtown Framingham full-time required; occasional remote work available on a
limited basis.
● Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years work experience required, preferably within
business/non-profit administration, urban planning, economic development or
government. Master’s degree preferred.
● Demonstrated experience in decision-making, leadership, and budget management.
● 1-2 years experience in grassroots organizing, nonprofit resource development, grant
writing experience, and/or fundraising/sales preferred.
● Experience managing staff members, event planning, and collaborating with municipal
government preferred.
Skills & Characteristics
● Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, compatible with a wide range of
stakeholders and cultures.
● Bilingual candidates preferred – Spanish or Portuguese language preferred.
● Charismatic, very out-going, energetic and passionate about the history and cultural
preservation of our diverse downtown district.
● Strong skills in writing, meeting facilitation, media, and verbal communication.
● Ability to create, read, and update budgets in QuickBooks and manage resources
according to the budget.
● Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
● Skills in web design (Squarespace) and graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite).
a cover letter will not be considered. Expected start date is early January 2023, but could be
sooner.
About Downtown Framingham, Inc.
Downtown Framingham, Inc (DFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to building
business, community, and culture through the Main Street America model with its four tenets of
economic vitality, organizational partnerships, urban design and placemaking.
Role Description
The DFI Board of Directors seeks a self-motivated, entrepreneurial and passionate Executive
Director to help guide downtown Framingham toward a vibrant and prosperous future. The
Executive Director will continue DFI’s work to implement best practices in economic and
community development, delivering successful growth of our diverse central business district.
The Executive Director must be able to think critically and innovatively about the future of
Downtown Framingham. The Executive Director will also serve as a conduit to City Government
for the many stakeholders in downtown.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the implementation of new and existing programs
within the following core areas: administration, fundraising, community engagement, and
program development & implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Administration
● Partner with the Board of Directors for strategic planning, financial planning and program
development.
● Manage and hire staff and interns.
● Ensure meeting minutes are recorded, state/federal taxes and required state reports are
filed, and all programs are adequately tracked. Ensure books are kept, contracts are
billed and reported, and financial reports are given to the board.
Fundraising
● Oversee fundraising, including managing existing grants, researching new funding
sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting grant proposals and
seeking local support.
● Maintain a well-administered and financially sound organization by keeping accurate
records.
Community Engagement
● Partner with the City of Framingham, community leaders and local organizations to
engage the public in downtown decision-making. Attend relevant community and
government meetings/events (some evenings and occasional weekends) to represent
DFI and network with other organizations.
● Work with downtown business owners to help them grow and succeed through the
sharing of best practices, technical assistance and local policy support.
● Maintain and build partnerships with community groups, residents, community leaders,
funders, elected officials, developers and city staff to achieve organizational goals.
● Create and execute the organization’s communications strategy.
● Maintain and grow DFI’s volunteer program.
Program Development & Implementation
● Develop programs in line with the Main Street America model with clear goals, plans and
outcomes using input from the DFI Board of Directors, local leaders and the business
community.
● Plan events that promote downtown and drive visitation to the area.
● Survey and represent downtown businesses to identify, track, and overcome barriers to
investment and job creation.
● Track and report on measurable outcomes.
Qualifications & Experience
● Residency in Framingham or neighboring MetroWest towns strongly preferred. Ability to
work in downtown Framingham full-time required; occasional remote work available on a
limited basis.
● Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years work experience required, preferably within
business/non-profit administration, urban planning, economic development or
government. Master’s degree preferred.
● Demonstrated experience in decision-making, leadership, and budget management.
● 1-2 years experience in grassroots organizing, nonprofit resource development, grant
writing experience, and/or fundraising/sales preferred.
● Experience managing staff members, event planning, and collaborating with municipal
government preferred.
Skills & Characteristics
● Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, compatible with a wide range of
stakeholders and cultures.
● Bilingual candidates preferred – Spanish or Portuguese language preferred.
● Charismatic, very out-going, energetic and passionate about the history and cultural
preservation of our diverse downtown district.
● Strong skills in writing, meeting facilitation, media, and verbal communication.
● Ability to create, read, and update budgets in QuickBooks and manage resources
according to the budget.
● Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
● Skills in web design (Squarespace) and graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite).