Description

About Main Plaza Conservancy

Main Plaza Conservancy is dedicated to preserving, enhancing, activating, and promoting Main Plaza as a vibrant civic, cultural, and historic gathering place in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Through partnerships with public agencies, community organizations, cultural institutions, donors, and residents, the Conservancy works to ensure that Main Plaza remains a welcoming and dynamic destination for all. 

The Opportunity

Main Plaza Conservancy has embarked on an ambitious period of organizational growth and transformation, including a planned $15 million capital campaign to support significant improvements to Main Plaza. The Executive Director will play a key leadership role in helping to guide the organization through this pivotal chapter by strengthening operational capacity, cultivating donor and community support, managing stakeholder relationships, and positioning the Conservancy for long-term success.

This opportunity is ideally suited for a visionary and entrepreneurial leader who is energized by building organizational capacity, leading change, and bringing complex projects to fruition through collaboration, strategic planning, and resource development. 

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Main Plaza Conservancy and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, organizational management, financial stewardship, fundraising, community engagement, and public representation of the organization. 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Resource Development

•      Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, individual gifts (annual fund), corporate gifts and sponsorships, and foundation and government grants.
•      Build and maintain a database of major gift prospects and supporters.
•      Lead sponsorship development efforts for programs, events, and special initiatives.
•      Partner with the Board to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising activates.
•      Monitor fundraising performance and regularly report progress toward revenue goals. 
•      Explore and evaluate mission-aligned earned revenue opportunities that will enhance the long-term financial sustainability of Main Plaza Conservancy. 

Strategic Leadership & Board Relations

•      Partner with the Board to develop and implement strategic priorities, organizational goals, and performance measures. 
•      Provide leadership that inspires staff, contractors, Board members, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders.
•      Support the planning, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and implementation efforts associated with current and future capital improvement projects. 
•      Support effective Board governance through timely communication, reporting, and strategic planning. 
•      Assist with Board recruitment, orientation, engagement, and development.
•      Ensure organizational policies, procedures, and practices reflect nonprofit best practices. 
•      Serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors.

Financial Management & Operations

•      Prepare and administer the annual operating budget in partnership with the Finance Committee and Board and provide accurate and timely financial reports and forecasts.
•      Ensure appropriate financial controls, accountability measures, and reporting systems are maintained while safeguarding the organization’s assets and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and nonprofit standards.
•      Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, insurance coverage, and operational systems.
•      Supervise staff and contractors, establishing clear expectations and accountability measures. 
•      Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. 

Government & Public Relations

•      Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Main Plaza Conservancy and represent the Conservancy at public meetings, community events, donor gatherings, and civic functions. 
•      Build and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders, including the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, San Fernando Cathedral, the Archdiocese of San Antonio, downtown hotels, businesses, and conference centers, as well as community organizations. 
•      Increase awareness and visibility of Main Plaza Conservancy through strategic communications, public engagement efforts, and public participation in events/programming. 
•      Oversee branding, marketing, website content, social media, and public relations initiatives, and cultivate relationships with media outlets and community influencers. 

Programs, Events & Plaza Activation

•      Provide strategic oversight of all programs, events, and initiatives, including The SAGA and other signature programs. 
•      Work closely with staff and partners to develop programs that are mission-aligned, financially sustainable, and broadly engaging. 
•      Ensure effective coordination of activities occurring within or affecting Main Plaza while minimizing scheduling conflicts and maximizing public benefit. 
•      Encourage innovation in programming that strengthens community engagement and enhances the visitor experience. 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

•      Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 
•      Minimum five years of leadership experience and responsibility in nonprofit management, fundraising, community development, public administration, or a related field.  
•      Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, sponsorships, grants, and donor stewardship.
•      Experience leading organizational growth, capital campaigns/capital projects, or significant strategic initiatives. 
•      Experience managing organizational budgets and financial resources.
•      Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors. 
•      Proven ability to build productive relationships with donors, elected officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders. 
•      Exceptional written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
•      Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and problem-solving abilities. 

Preferred Qualifications

•      Experience leading a nonprofit organization or serving in a senior leadership role. 
•      Experience working in historic preservation, parks, cultural institutions, tourism, downtown development, or related fields. 
•      Knowledge of the San Antonio philanthropic, civic, and governmental landscape. 
•      Experience leading fundraising campaigns supporting six- and seven-figure revenue goals. 

Working Conditions

•      Must be able to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
•      Regular attendance at evening and weekend events is required. 
•      Position requires occasional lifting, bending, kneeling, and other physical activities associated with event and site management. 
•      Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds when necessary. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

•      Main Plaza Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.