JOB OPPORTUNITY!

Executive Director, Madison LakeWay Partners

Are you inspired by a visionary community plan for equitable and sustainable development?

Can you help lead a once-in-a-lifetime project that will have generational impact? 

Are you a consensus-builder with great communications skills?

Do you love Madison and want to see it thrive?

If so, this could be THE professional opportunity for you!

BACKGROUND

Madison LakeWay is a 1.7 mile long, 17 acre signature park district connecting downtown and south Madison to Lake Monona. The Madison LakeWay starts just a few blocks from downtown Madison, Wisconsin – one of the most livable cities in the Country. It’s minutes from the busiest pedestrian intersection in the State of Wisconsin (located near the top of State Street and Capitol Square); known for its great restaurants, shops, museums, and a world-class arts center. The Madison LakeWay is poised to become one of the most dynamic public gathering spaces in our community and it will preserve our beautiful lakeshore for future generations to enjoy.

Madison LakeWay Partners is a non-profit 501c3 that's partnering with the City of Madison to fund, build, and operate the Madison LakeWay. Previously known as the Friends of Nolen Waterfront, the organization has played, and will continue to play, a lead role in raising funds, gathering community feedback, and driving progress on the Madison LakeWay.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the private side of this public-private partnership, developing an annual budget and work plan, serving as the chief fundraiser for the organization and managing the Madison LakeWay public-private partnership.

Specific Responsibilities

Oversee the private contribution to the master plan by Sasaki for the design and construction of the public space along 1.7 miles of Lake Monona's waterfront. Madison LakeWay Partners is working with the City of Madison  to bring this vision to reality. The executive director will engage the public to support the vision by overseeing a dynamic fundraising campaign, community engagement process, and future operation and programming for the new public spaces created.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Lead fundraising through engagement with the private and nonprofit sectors to secure the funds necessary to complete construction, maintenance, and operations of the Madison LakeWay. 

  • Oversee all aspects, including administration and fundraising, of the planned Madison LakeWay development including 1.7 miles of parks, beaches, and walkways. 

  • Build out and manage day-to-day operations of the Madison LakeWay public-private partnership team. 

  • Coordinate with the City of Madison Parks Division on the completion of the Madison LakeWay design and construction. 

  • Work with the City of Madison and private investors in the comprehensive planning process for adjacent land and develop a broad base of support for the Madison LakeWay public-private partnership through interactions with the city, state, and federal government, private sector, philanthropic and individual communities both financial and otherwise.

  • Oversee the future operation, maintenance, security and programming of the Madison LakeWay public spaces. Ensure there are sufficient funds to support all components of the project including perpetual stewardship. 

  • Serve as spokesperson and representative of the Madison LakeWay Partners.

  • Develop an effective working and reporting relationship with the Madison LakeWay Partners Board of Directors. 

Qualities, Attributes, and Critical Competencies

Success in the Executive Director role will require a deep commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Madison LakeWay public-private partnership and its transformational impact on the people, architecture, and culture of Madison. The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

  • Culture Builder and Inclusive Leader. The Executive Director will have experience leading an organization through growth and transformation with expertise facilitating participatory decision-making in organizations at the intersection of community and civic infrastructure. The Executive Director will have a shared leadership orientation and will hold accountability for the Madison LakeWay public-private partnership achieving its goals while nurturing and empowering leaders at all levels of the board, staff, and community to make their greatest contribution to the work. This requires a commitment to transparency, authenticity, and values-discipline in all aspects of management. The Executive Director will be equity fluent and able to clearly articulate their equity journey, with demonstrated experience bringing equity values into organizational practices and systems. 

  • Effective Fundraiser and Steward of Resources and Relationships. The Executive Director will have the capacity to inspire and cultivate new and existing donors and business partner relationships. They will be able to successfully develop and complete both short- and long-term fundraising plans. The Executive Director will have a compelling voice with a demonstrated ability to have authentic dialogue around complex issues including funder expectations, strategic direction, and community priorities. They will be a media savvy communicator with external relations skills and demonstrated ability to serve as a spokesperson for the organization at high-level functions and across media platforms.

  • Design Thinker and Change Maker. The Executive Director will have the capacity to effectively support the completion of a major public infrastructure project and the political savvy to steward public-private partnerships, with demonstrated success leading an organization in bringing initiatives from concept to implementation, to reality, while continuously refining and adapting approaches to stakeholder needs and feedback.  

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND

At least five years of work experience in related fields, with related professional degrees

COMPENSATION

$100,000 - $125,000 annual salary based on background and experience.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Send cover letter and resume to claire@madisonlakeway.org

Applications will be considered until the Madison LakeWay Partners has an accepted offer from the chosen candidate.