POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This is an independent contractor position to direct the professional development and networking programs for a nonprofit organization that supports the private real estate development and public land-use planning industries of the Northwest Arkansas region.

SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION: Urban Land Institute
DEPARTMENT: District Councils
CHAPTER: Northwest Arkansas
LOCATION: Office at Home/Remote
POSITION TITLE: Director of Programs
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
POSITION STATUS: Independent Contractor
CONTRACT START: September 20, 2021
CONTRACT END: August 31, 2024

The Northwest Arkansas District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI NWA) is a trusted and relied-upon network of leaders dedicated to responsible land use and development whose mission is to shape the built environment for transformative impact in communities throughout the region.

ULI NWA operates in a complex, fast-paced environment with a large volume of work conducted by multiple teams with varying objectives spread across the region. The Director of Programs must be adaptable, self-motivated, detail oriented, and well organized, with the ability to identify implied tasks, work with minimal supervision, and meet assigned deadlines. It is imperative that any candidate possess professional interpersonal skills and communicate in oral and written form at the executive level.

The Director of Programs will support the scope of work assigned to ULI NWA and will work under the supervision of and within a subcontract awarded by the ULI NWA Executive Director, Wes Craiglow. The Director of Program’s primary duties will include those tasks that directly support the development and management of ULI NWA’s programs for professional development and networking. The Director of Programs will also support the meetings of ULI NWA’s Advisory Board and Management Committee, those of outside-agency colleagues with whom ULI NWA is partnered for specific endeavors, and individual ULI members and volunteer leaders at various times.

As an independent contractor, the Director of Programs must provide their own smartphone, laptop computer, and transportation throughout NWA. The Director of Programs may office from home or another remote location and take advantage of a highly flexible schedule. The Director of Programs must be willing to travel throughout the NWA region in order to attend meetings and events scheduled outside of normal business hours (evenings and weekends).

SPECIFIC DUTIES
– Work alongside the ULI NWA Executive Director and the ULI NWA Programs Committee to identify and develop programs that align to the strategic plan of ULI NWA
– Work alongside the ULI NWA Executive Director and the ULI NWA Programs Committee to develop and implement annual programming goals and objectives, operating plans, and budgets
– Work alongside the ULI NWA Executive Director and the ULI NWA Programs Committee to develop a programs evaluation and reporting framework to assess programming strengths and weaknesses
– Work alongside ULI NWA staff, volunteers, and partners to execute necessary event management tasks, including but not limited to: event planning; partner and speaker engagement; venue, vendor, and subcontractor supervision; logistics management; webinar
administration (ZOOM platform); audience services; post-event closure and reporting tasks; and others as required
– Work alongside ULI NWA Director of Outreach and Development and the ULI NWA Revenue Committee to identify and activate revenue streams relevant to ULI NWA programs, including but not limited to corporate sponsorships, ULI membership sales, event registration and ticket sales, and philanthropic gifts
– Work alongside the ULI NWA Director of Outreach and Development and the ULI NWA Communications Committee to create marketing and communications strategies for ULI NWA programs
– Establish and oversee event safety protocols and procedures
– Attend weekly ULI NWA staff meeting to discuss objectives and deliverables

-Attend meetings of the ULI NWA Programs Committee and provide reasonable support as
requested by committee chairperson
– Attend monthly ULI Americas programs conference calls
– Attend annual ULI Americas national conference
– Conduct everyday business administration tasks associated with role, including but not limited to receiving and managing phone, email, and calendar traffic; keeping accurate records; tracking tasks and activities; writing formal letters; accounting for income and
expenses; and, reporting outcomes

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
• Demonstrated success developing and leading nonprofit programs
• Demonstrated event planning and management experience
• Demonstrated experience working with high-performing, collaborative teams
• Customer service and/or client relations experience
• Business/non-profit administration experience
• Focus area of academic education (bachelor’s degree required)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience using digital CRM systems
• Knowledge of and passion for the real estate development and/or land-use planning
industries

COMPENSATION:
The position is to be compensated at the rate of $6667 per month. Annual contract adjustments of 2.5% are provided, and quarterly bonuses are available for achievement of key performance indicators. A generous travel budget will allow the Director of Programs to attend annual ULI Americas conferences hosted throughout North America. A fair professional development budget will allow the Director of Programs to regularly attend training relevant to duties. The Director of Programs will be awarded a complementary membership to the Urban Land Institute. No other benefits are included. An IRS tax form 1099-NEC will be issued each January.

APPLYING:
Please provide a cover letter demonstrating how your qualifications match the position description, a resume indicating relevant work history, and three references who can speak to your professional character and/or potential for success in this role. Email documents to [email protected].

*ONLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS EMAIL ADDRESS.

CURRENT AND FUTURE COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS:
ULI NWA follows Arkansas State Health Dept guidance for managing risks associated with the COVID-19 virus. At this time, in-person meetings and events are scheduled and occurring, happenings to which the Director of Programs will be in regular attendance. The potential exists for being exposed to others carrying the virus and to introducing others to the virus. It is strongly encouraged that the Director of Programs maintain a completed vaccination for COVID-19. The Director of Programs will be responsible for ensuring COVID-19 risk management protocols are enforced at all ULI NWA events in accordance with Arkansas State Health Dept guidance or
venue policies.

KEY DATES:
Position posted on July 6, 2021
Applications due no later than August 6, 2021
Initial selections complete no later than August 13, 2021
Interviews complete no later than August 27, 2021
Candidate selected no later than September 2, 2021
Start date on September 20, 2021