Chief Executive Officer - University District

Chief Executive Officer

University District

Spokane, Washington

Salary:  $100,000 - $130,000

Named as one of the Best Places to Live in America by Outside Magazine, Spokane, Washington, (pop. 220,000) is Eastern Washington’s largest city and is located east of the Cascade Range in Washington and on the western slope of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains next to the Idaho-Washington border. The region offers outstanding quality of life for individuals looking to move to a new area, including excellent recreational opportunities, low-cost living, affordable housing, outstanding educational offerings, and thriving energy, healthcare, and IT industry sectors. The University District is home to Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, University of Washington, Washington State University, Whitworth University, and the Community Colleges of Spokane.

The University District (UD), located just east of downtown, consists of two organizations: The University District Development Association (UDDA) and the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA). The UD straddles the Spokane River with Gonzaga University as the northern district border, and Interstate-90 as the southern border. The mission of the UD is to be a place where business and education grow together to create a collaborative, healthy, and prosperous region. The UD uses its unique connectivity to create shared community wellness and vibrancy by developing the infrastructure and programming that enable a globally recognized hub of education, innovation, research, and health care. The UD operates with two FTEs including the Chief Executive Officer and an Administrator.

The UDPDA is a quasi-municipal corporation that strategically leverages the PDA’s revenues and assets to maximize the lasting economic vitality in the University District Revitalization Area (UDRA). The UDPDA’s 2021 budget is $182,900. The UDDA is a nonprofit corporation that strategically organizes and leverages stakeholders and place to maximize regional economic prosperity by partnering with the UDPDA to draw resources and opportunities into the UD. The UDDA collaborates with partners such as City, County, and State governmental agencies, educational institutions, economic development and business groups, and community-based organizations to impact the well-being of those who live, learn, work, or play within the greater Spokane area. The UDDA’s 2021 annual budget is $346,801.

Under the direction of the UDDA and the UDPDA boards, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a critical position within the organization and uses all available resources to identify, prioritize, and address mission-aligned opportunities. The CEO holds a seat on the UDPDA board and supervises the Administrator.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a focus in Business, Finance, Management, Planning, etc. is required. A master’s degree is preferred. Candidates must have at least five years of executive leadership experience. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that would allow a candidate to successfully perform the duties of the position may be considered.

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at www.prothman.com and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. The UDDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First review of applications: September 26, 2021 (open until filled).