The Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director

The Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director

Are you ready to shape the future of a dynamic and growing business district? If driving economic growth and helping to bring events to life excites you, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Imagine helping to transform a community, spark innovation, and foster business success. If that sounds like your dream job, keep reading!

Position Summary:

As the Executive Director of The Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District (BID), you will lead strategic initiatives to drive economic vitality, enhance brand visibility, and foster a thriving community for businesses and visitors alike. This is your opportunity to cultivate partnerships, elevate The Wauwatosa Village as a premier destination and spearhead innovative marketing campaigns. We’re looking for a visionary leader with a passion for placemaking, business development, and community engagement. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are eager to make a lasting impact, join us in transforming The Wauwatosa Village into a vibrant hub of commerce and culture.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Executive Director, you will be the driving force behind the success and growth of The Wauwatosa Village ensuring the district thrives as a vibrant business and cultural hub. Your leadership will shape strategic initiatives, foster partnerships, and create impactful events that attract visitors, support local businesses, and strengthen the community.

Leadership & Strategy

• Champion the BID’s mission by developing and executing strategic plans, marketing initiatives, and growth strategies.
• Lead Board of Directors meetings and the Annual Meeting, ensuring alignment with district goals.
• Collaborate with City of Wauwatosa officials on the BID’s Annual Plan, budget, assessments, and agreements.

Community & Business Engagement

• Serve as the public face of the BID, building strong relationships with businesses, stakeholders, and city leaders.
• Foster engagement with BID members, elected officials, City Hall, local organizations, and community groups.
• Partner with key entities such as the Chamber of Commerce, NEWaukee, and Village European Holiday Market to enhance programming and visibility.
• Drive business recruitment efforts, positioning the district as a prime location for new businesses and investments.

Sponsorship & Revenue Growth

• Cultivate and maximize sponsorship opportunities, ensuring strong partnerships and funding for BID initiatives.
• Innovate and implement new revenue-generating initiatives to support BID growth and sustainability.

Event Management & Activation

• Oversee all event planning and execution, including budgeting, logistics, committee management, vendor management, and promotions.
• Lead day-of event operations, coordinating volunteers, staff, and sponsors to create seamless, engaging experiences.
• Strategically develop and expand event programming, ensuring events drive foot traffic, community engagement, and economic impact.

Operations & Administration

• Manage daily BID operations, including staff oversight, budgeting, office administration, and compliance with city permits and licenses.
• Ensure efficient operational execution, balancing financial stewardship with creative event and marketing initiatives.

Qualifications & Skills:

The ideal Executive Director is a dynamic leader with a passion for community engagement, business development, and event execution. You thrive in a collaborative environment, balancing big-picture strategy with hands-on operational management.

What You Bring to the Role:

• Ability to develop and execute strategic pans to drive business district growth and sustainability.
• Experience in board governance, working effectively with the Board of Directors and key decision makers.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement to ensure alignment between BID members, city officials, and residents.
• A passion for community relations, with a deep understanding of how to foster business growth and local engagement.
• Knowledge of economic development trends, small business support and downtown revitalization strategies.
• Strong project management skills to oversee multiple initiatives, deadlines and events simultaneously.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, problem-solves effectively, and drives results.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, ensuring smooth execution of projects, events, and operational tasks.
• Experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L oversight, grant writing and fundraising to secure additional funding for BID projects.
• Ability to negotiate vendor contracts and manage relationships with service providers.
• Strong digital and tech skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Drive, Quickbooks and Canva.
• Social media expertise is a plus, helping to amplify BID initiatives and community outreach.

Work Hours

This role requires a flexible schedule to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the position, which will include evenings and weekends. Work hours will vary based on event activity, meetings, and operational needs, with some weeks requiring more time commitment than others.

Compensation

This role is structured as an independent contractor position, not an employee role, and does not include benefits. Pay ranges between $60-65K annually.

Physical Demands

This role requires the ability to stand for extended periods and regularly lift up to 50 pounds as part of event setup and operational duties.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Milwaukee, WI 53213

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000