Chief Operations Officer
Job Posting for Chief Operations Officer at The Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
(link to online candidate profile)
OVERVIEW
Reporting to the President/Chief Executive Officer (President/CEO), the Chief Operations Officer (COO) is directly responsible for developing and executing internal operational strategies necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market (GRDM). The COO works in collaboration with the President/CEO and oversees facilities, leasing and tenant relations, culinary operations, and the Christkindl Markt. The COO will serve a variety of roles and responsibilities when critical positions are vacant. The COO will help to position the organization for long-term growth and operational excellence.
Market Description:
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a mixed-use facility that brings together local food production, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our indoor facility features a 20 vendor market hall with two full-service restaurants, while dozens of artisans line our outdoor market shed during special events. The Market Hall is open 7 days a week, offering multiple dine-in and carry-out options. A culinary collective of butchers, bakers, and fishmongers—the Market Hall is filled with artisan cuisine, local grocery items, and specialty food products.
Our 24/7, 5,000 square foot Incubator Kitchen and technical assistance programs provide accessible kitchen space and one-on-one support to hundreds of food entrepreneurs each year (from product makers, to restaurants, to caterers). Budding entrepreneurs benefit from our on-site, sector-specific business guidance, as well as our community partnerships, and free Culinary Conversations events. Our goal is to help businesses navigate through all phases of operation, network with similar start-ups, and learn valuable skills and strategies.
In addition, The Market offers several exceptional spaces throughout the site, including rooftop greenhouses, outdoor seating and event spaces, and a Banquet Room with floor to ceiling windows. The Market is LEED Gold certified, features a green roof, live walls, geotherm wells, a rain garden, and plenty of other innovative, sustainable features.
Vision & Mission:
CORPORATION VISION
To be THE preeminent regional destination for innovative food experiences.
CORPORATION MISSION
A vibrant gathering place that offers dynamic food-centered experiences, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities dedicated to a healthier community and economy.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION VISION
To be the leading food Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) in the state, while creating connections and opportunities for all communities through premier programs and events.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION MISSION
To be a catalyst for food entrepreneurial growth.
Budget:
2023 Annual Operating Budget: $3.4 M
Staff:
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market currently employs 30-35 team members, including the President/CEO, Directors, Managers, and other full-time and part-time employees. Seasonal employees and volunteers are brought on board as needed.
Corporation Board of Directors:
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market Board of Directors consists of 12 voting members who serve 3-year terms. The Board of Directors meets bimonthly, the 3-member Executive Committee meets bimonthly, with members also sitting on Board Advisory Committees.
Education Foundation Board of Directors:
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation Board of Directors consists of the three members of the Corporation Board of Directors, and the President/CEO. The Education Foundation Board of Directors meets annually.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The COO will provide strategic and operational leadership, as well as staff leadership and development. The essential duties and responsibilities of the COO include, but are not limited to, the following:
Organizational Leadership:
Active role on the leadership team that contributes to the organization's overall vision, mission, values, beliefs, and strategic goals
Participates in executive team decisions and critical conversations
Attends and actively participates in leadership meetings, offering ideas, insights, and recommendations on organizational policies, operations, staffing, customer and tenant experiences, strategic community partnerships, and other topics that ultimately impact the overall quality of the organization
Active participant in Board of Director meetings and serves as staff liaison for various Board Advisory Committees
Operational Leadership:
Responsible for overseeing the preparation of budgets and monitoring the expenditures within departments of responsibility
Develops organizational improvements designed to streamline internal systems and/or procedures, and helps evolve ideas into future-growth initiatives
Achieves the organization's overall strategic goals, working to contribute to the profitability of the organization, and ensures alignment of high-level organizational priorities with strong day-to-day operations
Evaluates the success of assigned departments through measurable goals, KPIs and reporting
EOS Integrator
Faithfully executes the business plan, achieving or exceeding planned P&L objectives
Leads, manages, and holds the leadership team accountable for achieving agreed-upon commitments
Integrates all major operating functions of the business; Ensures everyone is rowing together in the same direction; Models the way, always working toward the greater good of the business
Resolves issues effectively—seeing real problems, being comfortable with conflict, calling out the problems, and solving the problems in a practical and healthy manner; Ensures the leadership team is healthy, functional, and cohesive
Ensures that everyone is truly following, and adhering to, the company’s core processes and operating system with consistency
Dependably demonstrates a strong adherence to values alignment, focus, simplicity, and clarity
Effectively collaborates with the Visionary and stays on the same page; Maintains a high level of mutual respect with the Visionary; Realizes the unique contributions and ideas that the Visionary has, and possesses an ability to filter and translate those ideas into functional plans for the company
Confirms that all key messages are properly and consistently cascaded across the organization; Verifies that a high level of effective communication exists throughout the organization
Departmental Oversight:
Facilities
- Oversees facilities department, including oversight of all facilities work, staff, and department coordination to ensure any and all organizational needs are met
- Ensures compliance with all local zoning laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations for construction, electrical, fire safety, health/sanitation, signage, accessibility, and LEED certification
- Oversees all aspects of tenant and organizational construction/build outs
- Oversees all areas of IT and security, including access cards, security cameras, keys, wifi, audio visual, foot traffic counters, and any other monitoring systems
- Serves as staff liaison for Board Finance and Building Committee
Leasing / Tenant Relations
- Oversees all leasing and tenant relations work and staff and achieves Market Hall leasing goals, including but not limited to sales reporting, lease violations and defaults, accounts receivable, tenant closures, permitted us changes, expansions, terminations, etc.
- Ensures cross departmental efforts for new and innovative opportunities for tenant business growth
- Leads in new tenant identification and qualification, which includes researching, cold-calling, and canvassing prospects with an emphasis on the local food industry
- Serves as the main point of contact for real estate broker
- Drafts and negotiates letters of intent, lease agreements, lease amendments, lease renewals, etc., in coordination with legal counsel
- Serves as staff liaison for Board Leasing Committee
- Oversees tenant reporting accuracy and timeliness
- Ensures adherence to tenant leases, including rules and regulations
Culinary Operations
- Oversees operations of the Downtown Market’s incubator kitchen and Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) programs, as well as business assistance to tenants
- Ensures the Downtown Market’s inclusion in a resource network of service providers that provide expert assistance to tenants, particularly professional and technical business start-up networks in the community
- Keeps awareness of growth and expansion opportunities, particularly as it relates to ESO programs and revenue generation
- Ensures the Education Foundation’s vision and mission are followed
Christkindl Markt
- Oversees vendor acquisition and all aspects of vendor management
- Oversees Christkindl Markt Facilities staff, work, and department coordination to ensure any and all organizational needs are met
- Ensures compliance with all local zoning laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations for construction, electrical, fire safety, health/sanitation, signage, accessibility,
- Oversees all aspects of tenant and organizational construction/build outs
- Works collaboratively to ensure the vision of the Christkindl Markt is successfully executed annually
- Engages in strategic, collaborative leadership to achieve ongoing growth of the Christkindl Markt, both onsite and at external venues
Community Outreach:
Represents the Downtown Market to the community through presence and participation in community organizations
Serves on appropriate community committees
Oversees related departmental strategic partnerships
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
The COO must be a masterful collaborator who engages and works with diverse stakeholder groups including brokers, retailers, tenants, vendors, staff, board members, and community groups. The COO should also possess a deep commitment to enhancing and leading a culture that reflects the values of the Downtown Market. The COO must be a visionary and inspirational leader and possess the following:
Strategic and Operational Skills:
- Proven experience with financial and fiscal accountability
- Extensive project management and team leadership experience incorporating accountability, proactive and independent development of work plans, timelines, and budgets
- Possesses executive, strategic, and long-term critical thinking capacity with ability to absorb, analyze and retain large amounts of economic, business, demographic, and people-relationship data
- Ability to manage and deliver current mission and key roles while seeking future trends and needs and readying organization for the future
- Flexibility and openness to ideas, opinions, and perspectives. Integrates own and others’ ideas into a cohesive perspective and plan of action
- Ability to initiate and manage effective relationships and alliances with a diverse and dynamic array of civic leaders, internal and external partners, and business leaders
- Strong analytical skills and well-developed business acumen; natural relationship management instincts; savvy for gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders
Leadership Skills:
- Ability to build common ground, convergence, and consensus about the future direction of the organization
- Ability to effectively delivers presentations, proposals, and reports to diverse stakeholder groups; possesses effective public, group, and one-on-one communication skills
- Demonstrate a global perspective and the ability to innovate and articulate a strong vision for the organization
- Exhibits strong executive presence as reflected by behavior, appearance, demeanor, and posture with a highly visible leadership presence for the Downtown Market
- Uses a thoughtful and deliberative decision-making style, weighing risks and impacts on stakeholders
- Collaborates, supports, and shares credit for success with staff and stakeholder groups
- Understands the emotions of others and understands how their behavior affects others
- Must be both a good educator and an empowering, supportive leader; Culturally sensitive with demonstrated commitment and understanding of the value of diversity
- Possess a high level of emotional intelligence, flexibility, and a sense of humor
Relationships & Collaborations:
- Understands the needs, goals, and motivations of external stakeholder groups as well as staff, board, peers, and direct reports; Identifies and proactively manages competing needs, goals and concerns among stakeholder groups and communities
- Acts as an ambassador for the Downtown Market
- Ability to easily network and establish rapport and connections with individuals and groups
Self-Management, Achievement, & Ethical Integrity:
- Demonstrated integrity and character; Will do the “right thing” and is a reliable partner and colleague
- Demonstrated ability to use leadership skills and personality to inspire and lead a team to “get things done”
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
- Minimum 10-15 years experience in operations management, including at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Commercial leasing experience is preferred, real estate experience and/or real estate license are a plus
- Experience working in public markets is a plus
- Experience working in private events sales is a plus
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided.
Benefits include:
Healthcare Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Program with Employer Match
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
Life and AD&D Insurance
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Legal Assistance Program
Health Lifestyle Support Program
Mission Support Program
Onsite Parking
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Job openings at The Grand Rapids Downtown Market
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Grand Rapids, MI
Full Time
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