Executive Director

Position:    Executive Director (Full-Time)

Location:   Atlanta, Georgia – Old Fourth Ward

Salary:  Commensurate with Experience, ranging from $35,500 to $42,500 with flexible hours, bonus opportunities based on organizational performance, and a health insurance stipend  

Hours: 30 to 40 hours a week

About Old Fourth Ward Business Association 

The Old Fourth Ward Business Association (O4WBA) is a nine year old organization representing businesses of all sizes in the Old Fourth Ward. The O4WBA works to ensure equal access to business development and opportunity throughout the neighborhood and aims to leverage incoming investment to benefit marginalized businesses and honor the history of the neighborhood as a diverse and vibrant business district. Through strategic convenings and community building, we work to maximize the political voice of businesses in the community, provide programs and services to fill resource gaps for local and small businesses, and are innovative in connecting large businesses to local needs to foster impactful and community-oriented anchor institutions throughout the neighborhood. 

Our mission: The O4W Business Association guides commercial growth and infrastructure by building community to advance our ongoing history of unique entrepreneurship. Our vision: O4W businesses thrive in an environment where all customers, employees, residents, and owners feel safe, connected, and set-up to succeed. The O4W brand is well-known throughout Atlanta. 

The Old Fourth Ward is defined by the following:

• North: Ponce de Leon
  East: Atlanta BeltLine
  South: Dekalb Ave/Decatur Street
  West: Peachtree Street/Piedmont

   

In our nine year history, we have accomplished the following:

• Hosted the Atlanta Small Business Candidate Forum series to bring over 20 candidates in front of small businesses to discuss improving small business policy and regulations in the City
• Coordinated and host the Sweet Auburn Coalition community meeting to tackle public experience challenges in the Edgewood Avenue corridor
• Organized the O4W Pledge to Public Health, providing timely guidance to small and local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Won Atlanta Regional Commission Community Development Assistance Program award and a City of Atlanta Placemaking award
• Assisted Invest Atlanta with the Eastside Tax Allocation Facade Improvement Program Workshops for over 200 business owners resulting in grants valued over $1M and partnered with community organizations to advocate for an additional $2M in funding for community infrastructure projects 
• Invested over $50k in private security on Edgewood Avenue in collaboration with Atlanta Police Department, business owners, and District 2 & 5 City Council. 
• For more information, check out our website at www.o4wba.com 

Role Description

The O4WBA Board is currently looking for an interdisciplinary and community-oriented professional to fill the Executive Director (ED) role. Reporting to the Board of Directors, The ED serves as the chief officer in all matters that support and sustain the organization’s goals. The ED is the only paid position, but the board is very involved in executing on all goals. These duties are subject to change as the organization changes but will be guided in the first year by our 2022 annual plan. Additional duties may occur and some duties may be delegated or eliminated. The ED has a broad range of leadership, management and oversight responsibilities, including the following: 

Management and Administration

• Prioritize organizational goals and objectives in partnership with the board per the annual plan
• Oversee board meetings, membership meetings, and events to ensure that program objectives are met 
• Oversee business development by exploring membership and sponsorship levels for larger businesses in our neighborhood
• Retain and grow membership and sponsorship revenue by 10% each year 
• Provide ongoing evaluation of organizational activities and programs
• Serve as liaison and concierge to member organizations 
• Provide fiscal and budgetary oversight of roughly $60,000 to 70,000 operating and program-related budgets in collaboration with the Board Treasurer and President, including ensuring the organization is bringing in enough income to cover operational costs 
• Ensure transparent and effective financial internal controls and board reports

Board & Member Relations

• Assist Board chair in planning the agenda and materials for monthly Board meetings
• Facilitate all board meetings
• Initiate and assist in developing policy recommendations and setting priorities
• Facilitate recruitment and orientation of new Board members
• Manage board committees and board assignments to ensure work is completed
• Create and maintain good relationships with all business members of the organization and be the first point of contact for members 

Marketing & Events

• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the organization
• Ensure representation at appropriate community events, including attending NPU M meetings, NPU M Exec/Land Use meetings, and neighborhood meetings, and other meetings pertinent to O4W
• Ensure representation before elected officials and other advocacy efforts
• Oversee creation of brand and marketing strategy and execute on it
• Ensure event’s meet the organization’s goals and meet the needs of our member businesses 

Success in the Role

While all of the above are necessary to succeed in the role, success will be measured by membership numbers, executing on our strategic plan, budget growth, and the new Executive Director taking on role as ambassador of the organization. The ED should be recognizable to members, community organizations, and City officials and have great relationship management skills. 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

• Personable, outgoing, engaging with a strong entrepreneurial spirit
• Ability to work autonomously and manage time independently 
• Strategic thinking capability and expertise in business planning for future growth and sustainability
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously 
• Experience working with diverse individuals and a history of doing so with equity and inclusion at the forefront 
• Fundraising or creative resource development experience
• Understanding of non-profit budgets and financials 
• Strong writing, communication, and relationship building skills
• Experience with Canva and website marketing tools a plus 
• Willing to learn membership management software
• 2-3 years fundraising, community organizing, and/or small business management experience 
• While not required, members of the Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn communities are encouraged to apply! 

The Executive Director will primarily work out of a home office with regular meetings throughout the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood and potential use of shared co-working space in the neighborhood. 

All combinations of education and experience will be considered for this position. 

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter speaking to your qualifications and answering the following questions to president@o4wba(dot)com and copy board@o4wba(dot)com. 

Please include answers to the following questions in your cover letter:

• Describe your experience working with a community
• How do you center racial equity and inclusion in your work?
• Explain your experience developing and financing programs and/or projects

   

We anticipate a start date for this position of January 2022.