Executive Director

About the Position

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership seeks a visionary, collaborative, and community-minded leader to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. This exciting opportunity offers the chance to help shape the future of downtown Fond du Lac through business support, strategic partnerships, downtown activation, and community-centered initiatives.

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Downtown Fond du Lac serves as the economic, cultural, and social center of the City of Fond du Lac, a vibrant Wisconsin community located at the southern tip of Lake Winnebago. Known for its strong quality of life, growing economy, historic character, and active community spirit, Fond du Lac continues to serve as a regional hub for business, recreation, healthcare, education, and tourism throughout east-central Wisconsin.

The Executive Director

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and organizational leader of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership and is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through strategic leadership, operational oversight, governance coordination, financial stewardship, and team development. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director plays a central role in guiding the organization’s long-term direction while ensuring effective day-today management and execution of organizational priorities.

• Provides overall leadership for the organization’s operations, programs, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
• Led day-to-day business activities, implementing Board priorities, advancing organizational goals, and serving as a visible ambassador and advocate for Downtown Fond du Lac.
• Works closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to support effective organizational governance and strategic planning.
• Covers coordinating Board and committee meetings, preparing agendas and reports, overseeing official communications and public notices, developing annual work plans and operating budgets, and supporting annual reporting and organizational accreditation efforts.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for economic reporting to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and oversees completion of the organization’s annual financial audit and accountability processes.
• Oversees the organization’s financial operations and revenue development activities, including budgeting, sponsorships, grants, memberships, and fundraising initiatives.
• Cultivates partnerships with corporate sponsors and community organizations, develops sponsorship opportunities, ensures proper stewardship and reporting, and maintains strong financial oversight and accountability.
• Ensures compliance with financial policies, regulatory requirements, and sound fiscal management practices.
• Provides leadership and oversight for organizational staff, volunteers, and operational teams.
• Recruits, onboards, supervises, manages performance, develops staff, and fosters a collaborative and high-performing organizational culture.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Executive Director position will be a dynamic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for downtown revitalization, community engagement, and organizational leadership. The successful candidate will bring experience in downtown management, economic development, event coordination, or a related field, along with the ability to effectively collaborate with business owners, elected officials, community partners, volunteers, and sponsors. This individual will be a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for Downtown Fond du Lac, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication, organizational, and fundraising skills, along with a creative and solutions-oriented mindset that supports business growth, memorable community events, and the continued vibrancy of downtown Fond du Lac.

Hiring Range

$80,000 - $95,000

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, urban planning, marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in downtown management, economic development, land use planning, urban planning, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of organizational management experience, including oversight of administrative operations, budgeting, financial management, staff supervision, and organizational resources.
• Background working with a Business Improvement District (BID), Main Street organization, chamber of commerce, convention and visitors bureau, tourism entity, downtown organization, festival or entertainment venue, or similar community development organization strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in special event and festival planning, coordination, and execution.
• Experience leading downtown revitalization, placemaking, business engagement, or community development initiatives.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with businesses, elected officials, community organizations, sponsors, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
• Experience with fundraising, sponsorship development, grant writing, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Demonstrated fiscal responsibility and strong financial management experience within a nonprofit, community-based, or membership-driven organization.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and public communication skills, including the ability to deliver professional presentations and represent the organization publicly.

Work Schedule

The position includes evening and weekend responsibilities, with regular attendance at special events serving as an essential function of the role.

Benefits

Life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance stipend, IRA match, Paid Time Off, sick time and holidays.