University Economic Development Association

Executive Director, Miami Urban Future Initiative

Title Economic Development Project Manager
Organization / Institution Florida International University
College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts
City, State Miami, Florida
Information   About FIU:
Florida International University is classified by Carnegie as a R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity and recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers 196 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, computer science, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida’s anchor institutions, FIU contributes almost $9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded more than 220,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU’s Medina Aquarius Program houses the Aquarius Reef Base, a unique underwater research facility in the Florida Keys. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.

About The Miami Urban Future Initiative:


The Miami Urban Future Initiative (MUFI) is a data-driven research initiative producing assessments of key trends shaping the region. Through reports and visiting thought-leaders, MUFI disseminates information to help inform the broad strategic vision for local private and public stakeholders.

Background:


Florida International University College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts is seeking an Executive Director to lead MUFI, a collaboration with world leading urbanist Dr. Richard Florida and leading research firm, The Creative Class Group.

Support for the Miami Urban Future Initiative is part of the Knight Foundation’s broader effort to invest in Miami’s emerging innovators and entrepreneurs as a tool to build community while fostering talent and expanding economic opportunity. The Initiative aims to fill an existing research gap on economic, entrepreneurial, creative and technological assets in the region.

The Executive Director will have the unique opportunity to not only work with FIU researchers and experts but leading thinkers and researchers across the region and the world, combining their knowledge with that of business leaders, economic development practitioners, and other experts. This is a very unique career opportunity for those who care about cities, innovation, creative communities, economic growth and inclusion.

Reporting Structure:

The Executive Director will report directly to FIU CARTA Dean on day to day activities, management and operations. ED will work closely with the Creative Class Group on marketing, engagement, and events. All research and content will be set by Richard Florida and the Creative Class Group. ED will support those editorial and research efforts to expand the mission of the initiative.

Job Summary
The Executive Director for the Miami Urban Future Initiative (MUFI) leads strategic planning, grant management, and fundraising initiatives and is responsible for all administrative and operational activities for the Initiative. MUFI is a joint effort between Florida International University’s (FIU) College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), the Creative Class Group (CCG) and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to develop new research and insights for building a stronger, more innovative, and a more inclusive economy in Greater Miami. This is a grant funded position subject to availability of funds from year to year. The total term is five years, the last year is set to end on July 2022.

Duties

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Develops implements, evaluates, and directs the strategic vision of MUFI to help identify the key things Miami can do to position itself as a more innovative, creative, inclusive, and prosperous global city and region.
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Plans and directs the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of MUFI. Develops and implements communication plans, including social media, website, marketing, and public relations efforts including press releases, blog posts, articles, briefs, etc. Manages all lists, including media lists, stakeholder lists, etc.
  • Collaborates with Advancement Leadership to develop, plan and implement strategies to secure gift funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of MUFI. Identifies, cultivates and solicits qualified funding partners. Writes proposals for grants and donors. Stewards existing funding partner for further partnerships.
  • Represents CARTA and MUFI on internal and external committees, commissions, agencies, seminars, and/or associations. Serves as one of the public faces for MUFI.
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Secures, hosts, and attends meetings introducing MUFI to key stakeholders. Invites and hosts visitors; leads, attends and participates in all public facing events. Serves as media spokesperson, when appropriate. Engages in regional events, which will help move the initiative forward, serves as a speaker, moderator or expert in local events.
• Creates and implements reports using data driven research with CCG and CARTA approval showcasing content and metrics of success (i.e. annual report for the Knight Foundation, etc.).
  • Establishes an industry advisory board for MUFI of key members in the community. Creates and implements a stakeholder engagement plan to advance key objectives of the initiative for all its partners. Oversees the management and documentation of all stakeholder meetings. Formalizes partnerships with key organizations in the community, reviewing existing list, and updating annually.
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Provides financial oversight, proposes plans and develops new initiatives to advance MUFI. Advises and makes recommendations on department goals, using internal and external trends.
• Works with Creative Class Group Team to support all events, admin and operations (public relations, budget, event management, etc.)
  • Performs needed assessments, evaluates and analyses individual project and overall program/department effectiveness. Implements appropriate procedures to ensure efficiency and accuracy to fulfill program mission.
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Serves as a liaison to establish communication for planning purposes with related organizational units in order to meet operational goals.
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Directs MUFI activities to ensure compliance with University policies, procedures, practices and programs, and with federal, state and local legal/regulatory standards.
  • Manages the hiring of MUFI fellows. CCG advises regarding research and content, while the Executive Director manages engagement with community and media. Holds fellows accountable for high performance and high engagement culture by articulating expectations, monitoring performance, and providing feedback consistently across areas of responsibility.
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Manages program change in accordance with change management plan to control scope, cost, and contracts. Audits results in order to align the program/project outcomes with Universities expectations and standards.
  • Performs related duties as required or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and eight (8) years of related work experience or Master’s degree in a related field and six (6) years of related work experience.

Departmental Requirements

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A minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising experience.
  • Maintains high degree of confidentiality of prospect and donor records.
  • A demonstrated career track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and closing five and six figure gifts and a history of stability with an organization.

Departmental Preferences


Applicants should have expertise in the following areas:
Local Community Engagement
Global Research and Economic Trends
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Business and Startups

Job Category
Administrative

Advertised Salary
$90,000 – $100,000

Pre-Employment Requirements


  • Criminal Background Check
  • Driver’s License Check
  • Fingerprinting Check

Departmental Requirements

Proven success in fundraising and expertise in urban development and cities.

Other Essential Requirements

Ability to travel locally and nationally.
Ability to work flexible hours as needed.
Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends and at locations outside of the University

Disclosures
Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/04/Campus_Security_Report__Safety_Guide.pdf.

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

To Apply   …….
  • Go to the FIU careers site: https://hr.fiu.edu/careers/

  • Search: MIAMI URBAN FUTURE INITIATIVE (MUFI) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR or Job Opening ID #518754
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Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.
    Review of candidates will be held on August 5, 2019.