Executive Director

The Ashley Cooper Alliance, a new, not-for-profit partnership based in Charleston, South Carolina, is actively seeking an Executive Director. The Alliance is a partnership of business, civic conservation and community leaders working together to create and advance a vision for improved connectivity and mobility in Charleston/North Charleston to support and integrate existing and planned urban development. 

The geographic focus of the Alliance's work is the area bounded by the Ashley and Cooper rivers, I-526, and the Cooper River Bridge. It has been described by the Brookings Institution as "unmatched nationally in its potential." In the late 1800s, a number of local communities were founded by freedmen. In 1896, the Olmsted Brothers designed a local park, but the garden community district was quickly overshadowed when the US Government began construction of the Navy Yard in the early 1900s. 

The area is in the midst of major transition, having suffered heavy industrial contamination and tremendous economic blight when the Charleston Navy Yard was closed in 1993. Over the last decade, several forward-thinking leaders have collaborated on a number of initiatives to redevelop this land - including contaminated brownfields -- and they are committed to forging a new model of urban renewal: one that offers an array of affordable, diverse housing, that experiments with ideas to promote home ownership and economic opportunity, and that reclaims civic and green spaces for public use. Within this context, the Ashley Cooper Alliance offers an exciting start-up opportunity that will help leverage better regional transportation decisions and critical public and private investment to support this strong urban redevelopment. 

The Alliance will work with the municipalities and neighborhoods to help identify priorities for transit, pedestrian, bike and automotive mobility, innovate ways to provide economic opportunities for local residents, and enhance connectivity in and around existing neighborhoods to enable and integrate vibrant future redevelopment. Its work will build on a number of existing land use plans for the area including North Charleston's comprehensive and neighborhood plans, Charleston's 2003 Neck visioning effort, and the planning done by developers working in the project area, including Magnolia, Ashley River Center, Mixson Avenue, and Noisette.

Position: 

The Alliance is governed by an Executive Steering Committee of the partnering organizations. The Executive Director will be in charge of leading the day to day strategy and program implementation for the Alliance. Tasks include developing a research agenda and advocacy and communications plan; commissioning research and participating in oversight of collaborative research work; building support and conducting outreach with area neighborhoods and business leaders; speaking with press and public officials; and conducting some organizational fundraising.

This is currently a two year position located in Charleston, SC. 

Job Requirements: 

* Strong entrepreneurial abilities 
* 6 or more years senior-level advocacy, management or communications leadership 
* Exceptional communication skills
* Familiarity with transportation and smart growth policies 
* Familiarity with local and state government
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
* Non-profit experience a plus 

The Ashley Cooper Alliance offers a competitive compensation package and is an equal opportunity employer. 

To apply, simply e-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of the organization will be considered applicants and will receive responses.