Executive Director

The Hopewell Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening Downtown Hopewell through investment, business support, placemaking, and consistent advocacy. Downtown is at a pivotal moment, with real momentum and a clearer path for growth. This position offers the opportunity to build on that momentum and expand the organization’s capacity at an important time in Downtown Hopewell’s history. HDP is a Virginia Main Street community and has been so for over a decade.

We are an advancing Main Street community, part of a statewide and national network that brings structure, training, and accountability to downtown revitalization work. The Executive Director will adopt and apply Virginia Main Street practices to guide planning, reporting, and measurable outcomes, and will help maintain our accreditation through consistent work planning, documentation, and performance reporting.

The Role

The Executive Director is an externally oriented leader responsible for translating momentum into sustained resources and long term stability. This role centers on fundraising, regional relationship building, and consistent advocacy for Downtown Hopewell.

• Lead fundraising and grants across donors, sponsors, foundations, and corporate partners
• Serve as the primary advocate for Downtown Hopewell, building relationships with regional decision makers, agencies, funders, and peer organizations while communicating a clear investment case
• Implement Virginia Main Street practices through prioritized work plans, reporting, and outcomes tracking, while supporting downtown businesses and property owners through strategic initiatives
• Partner with the Board on strategy and annual goals, and oversee operations including budgeting, vendors, and day to day operations

• A fundraising and grant strategy is underway with new relationships beyond local sources and a tracked pipeline
• Virginia Main Street practices are embedded in planning, reporting, and execution
• Financial stability improves with a focused, realistic work plan tied to measurable outcomes

• Fundraising track record, strong relationships in civic environments, and leadership experience in nonprofit, downtown, or economic development work
• Strong communication skills with boards, funders, and public stakeholders, with willingness to adopt the Main Street framework
• Self directed and comfortable as the public face of the organization while managing detailed operations, including occasional evening and weekend commitments

Submit: resume, cover letter, and optional relevant writing sample.

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