Interim Executive Director, ULI Kansas City

Job Description

Job Description

The Urban Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing the full spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines across private enterprise and public service. ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

About ULI Kansas City

ULI Kansas City is the Institute’s home in one of the Midwest’s most dynamic real estate markets, connecting developers, investors, designers, public officials, and civic leaders around the region’s biggest land use questions. Through signature programs like the quarterly Envision series, Technical Assistance Panels, and member-led committees spanning Young Leaders, Emerging Developers, and REDI, the council shapes how Kansas City grows.

The council is entering a defining new chapter. In early 2027, the ULI Nebraska satellite will transition into an independent Local Organizing Committee, and ULI Kansas City will move forward as a focused, city-anchored district council. That change creates a rare leadership moment: the chance to rebuild the council’s committee structure, re-energize its membership, and set the direction for what ULI Kansas City becomes next.

The Role

This is a leadership role built around relationships and ownership. Reporting to the Senior Director, District Councils, and working in close partnership with the District Council Chair and a highly engaged member leadership, the Interim Executive Director owns the council’s program of work end to end: strategy, programming, membership, sponsorship, communications, and operations.

The mandate is clear: guide the council smoothly through the Nebraska transition, grow membership and revenue in the Kansas City market, and build the platform for the council’s next stage. The leader in this seat will directly shape ULI Kansas City’s long-term structure and direction.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible interim appointment of approximately 12 months. Based on the council’s performance through the transition, including membership and revenue growth, ULI may consider establishing a permanent Executive Director role at the end of the term. This appointment is interim, and conversion or continued employment beyond the term is not guaranteed.

What You Will Do

Transition & Growth Leadership

• Lead ULI Kansas City through the transition of the ULI Nebraska satellite to an independent Local Organizing Committee, managing member communications, programming continuity, and financial planning through the change.
• Develop and execute a membership growth and retention plan for the Kansas City market, rebuilding the council’s committee structure and volunteer engagement model.
• Grow sponsorship, grant, and program revenue against defined revenue and membership targets.
• Establish ULI Kansas City’s identity and program of work as a standalone, city-focused district council.

Council Leadership & Operations

• Develop and implement a strategic program of work, budget, and staffing plan with clearly defined outcomes and methods to measure success.
• Oversee all district council committees, including Management, Programs, Membership Engagement, Young Leaders, Emerging Developers, REDI, TAPs (Technical Assistance Panels), and Sponsorship; engage existing volunteers and create new opportunities for active member involvement.
• Support the Chair, Advisory, Management, Governance, and other leadership committees, building out administration, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Oversee programs, communications, social media, and reporting, including the quarterly Envision program series.
• Develop and manage event and committee budgets, including forecasting, tracking, and reconciliation.

Relationships & Sponsorship

• Build strong relationships within the Kansas City community and with ULI Americas/Global and other district councils.
• Work directly with ULI members, including Advisory Board and Management Committee members, member firms, sponsors, prospects, vendors, partner organizations, and consultants.
• Build funding relationships and strategic partnerships with existing sponsors, expand the sponsor network, and pursue and manage grant applications.

Staff Leadership

• Direct and develop ULI Kansas City’s part-time contractor

What are we looking for?

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required, and/or 5+ years of related nonprofit or membership organization experience.
• Demonstrated ability to grow and retain membership and generate revenue through sponsorship, grants, and programs.
• Ability to plan and oversee high-quality events, and to work effectively with diverse groups of people, including members, corporate leaders, politicians, educators, public officials, and ULI national staff.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent workstreams with responsible follow-through.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, and strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and Zoom.

Preferred

• Experience in the real estate and land use industry, community relations, and nonprofit administration.
• Experience leading an organization or business unit through structural change or transition.
• Understanding of the development process and the role of government within it.
• Existing relationships within the ULI network and the Kansas City real estate community.

What Success Looks Like

In your first 90 days, you are building trust with member leadership and keeping the council’s programming and operations running without missing a beat. You’ll learn the market, the members, and the committees, and put a clear plan in place for the Nebraska transition.

Beyond that first quarter, the transition lands smoothly, committees are active and well led, membership is growing, and the sponsorship pipeline is building. By the end of the term, ULI Kansas City is operating confidently as a standalone council with a clear identity, healthy finances, and momentum, and you will have shaped what its long-term leadership looks like.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $87,400 to $105,000. ULI offers a robust benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance; vacation leave; and a retirement plan. 

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid role based in Kansas City, Missouri. The role involves early morning and evening events, local and regional travel (use of a personal vehicle may be required, with travel costs reimbursable), and travel to ULI Fall and Spring Meetings. The role requires the ability to lift up to 30 lbs., work extended hours during events, and stand/walk for long periods at events.

The Urban Land Institute is committed to shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, and we embrace our core values of integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and excellence in service to our members.

ULI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non-citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by applicable law.