Executive Director

The Downtown Modesto Partnership (DMP) is recruiting for its Executive Director to lead the organization. We are seeking a passionate, dedicated leader to steward our mission to create a vibrant community through activities and partnerships designed to improve the quantity of quality experiences in downtown Modesto.

Overview of the Position

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and is supported by a team of staff and contract technical experts. The Executive Director must provide oversight and direction to ensure the successful execution of the team in support of the overall organizational goals.

The Executive Director is responsible for the following:

• Representing DMP - Serve as the lead public spokesperson for the organization, engaging downtown Modesto property owners to ensure the organization is meeting their needs, developing strategic relationships across all relevant public and private sectors, and exercise all responsibilities in a professional manner.

• Leading DMP Strategies - Provide strategic direction to ensure the successful day-to-day management, growth, and sustainability of DMP. 

• Leading DMP Team – Develop the DMP team to ensure business strategies, programs, policies, resources, and overall direction for the organization are being developed in alignment with DMP’s mission, utilizing every available resource. 

• Protecting DMP Assets – Maintain oversight of DMP risk management and compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and ethical requirements regarding bylaws, policies, finance, employee health, safety, and employment.

Specific Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the public face of Downtown Modesto, building partnerships with government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations while fostering meaningful community engagement and advocacy.

• Provide overall organizational leadership, serving as the primary driver of organizational success, strategic planning, Board engagement, and accountability for achieving mission-aligned results.

• Direct implementation of DMP programs, ensuring effective delivery of cleaning, maintenance, beautification, marketing, and safety initiatives while using performance metrics and data to continuously improve outcomes.

• Oversee the stewardship and management of DMP finances, including ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) applicable to a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

• Maintain an inclusive working relationship with the Board of Directors, staff, members, partners, and vested stakeholders that emphasizes open dialogue, complete transparency, professional rapport, and a unified approach. 

• Supervise DMP staff, including providing guidance and oversight into their day-to-day responsibilities, mentoring each person to grow in their roles for their benefit as well as that of the business, conducting their annual performance evaluation, and providing constructive discipline, if necessary, in compliance with the DMP Employee Handbook.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and management of effective human resources, safety, and risk management programs, including compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as fostering a positive, productive, and proactive work environment.

• Assist the Board of Directors in the development, implementation, and management of the DMP Policies and Procedures, in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations applicable to a 501c3 nonprofit organization and consistent with best management practices.

• Assume special activities and responsibilities as directed by the Board of Directors.

Leadership Competencies

• Confidence – Demonstrates self confidence in ability to achieve tasks at hand and select an effective approach.
• Accurate Self–Assessment – Recognizes strengths and shortcomings. Open to feedback and is self-motivated in continuous improvement.
• Trustworthiness – Openly admits to faults and mistakes and confronts unethical behavior.
• Initiative – Adaptable to seize or create opportunities for the future.
• Achievement Orientation – Self-motivated to work through obstacles and take risks to meet continuously challenging goals.
• Optimism – Is resilient and sees opportunities in setbacks; maintains a positive attitude and influences others to do the same.
• Empathy – Understands others’ perspectives and seeks to understand them.
• Organizational Awareness – Understands and appropriately influences through the political forces and unspoken rules at work.
• Change Catalyst – Effectively defines the need for change then acts to support and champion it.
• Teamwork and Collaboration – Solicits input from others and then drives a collaborative team environment. No ego, driven to serve the best interests of both employees and the business of DMP.
• Influencer – Shapes perception, policy and behavior for good. Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.

Experience, Skills and Certification

Experience and Education

A combination of experience and education to best meet the requirements of the position will be considered:

• Minimum five to seven years of community benefit district, nonprofit, and/or association management experience, preferably within a comparable business environment.
• Expertise in cultivating and stewarding partnerships and other collaborative agreements.
• A proven track record in resource development, including traditional and emerging strategies.
• Secondary education with course work in public administration, urban planning, business administration, public policy and/or a related field is preferred.

Skills and Characteristics

The ideal candidate possesses the following combination of skills and characteristics:

• Highly skilled supervisor with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to solve problems.
• An aptitude toward coaching and mentoring others.
• High ethical standards and self-awareness.
• Strong communication skills including written, verbal and listening.
• Have a demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Be discrete, tactful, diplomatic, and maintain confidentiality.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze problems, develop goals and find creative solutions.
• Digitally competent and capable of adjusting to software updates and upgrades as needed.

Certification and Licenses

California driver’s license and current vehicle insurance.

Compensation

• Salary: $100,000 - $115,000
• Health insurance – Kaiser Gold plan (87% of premium paid for employee and dependent(s) up to a monthly maximum)
• Dental and vision insurance (100% of premium paid for employee or 80% for employee and dependent(s), based on plan selection)
• Paid vacation (3 weeks) and sick leave (1 week)
• 13 paid holidays
• Company-sponsored retirement program with company contribution
• Additional voluntary benefit options including but not limited to:
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life and Accidental Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
• 529 Collage Savings Plan

To apply, candidates should send:

1] A cover letter describing your interest in the position, as well as your experience and results in prior work as related to the duties and qualifications outlined in the job description.

2] A resume summarizing work and education experience.

3] The names, position titles, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of five individuals who can speak to your accomplishments and potential for success in this role.

Applications should be sent via email only to View email address on click.appcast.io no later than

Friday, October 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm PST.

View the complete position announcement at

Equal Opportunity Employer Status

DMP is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to all state and federal regulations and prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, age, religion, veteran status, or other protected status.