The Port Authority of the City of Red Wing, MN is recruiting for the position of Executive Director

Community Overview
The City of Red Wing, Minnesota (population 16,500) is located just 45 minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul and Rochester, Minnesota. Nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River, you will find a thriving regional center for tourism, medical care, industry and technology offering an abundance of natural resources in a historic setting that honors the past and celebrates the future. The City offers the best of both worlds; small town charm and immediate proximity to major metropolitan areas. Forty-six acres of prime development land are available and ready for you to build in this community that understands and responds to the needs of business.
With the Mississippi River just outside your door, four golf courses in easy proximity, an enterprising school district, and new housing developments, the City offers something for everyone. The City ranks as one of the leading manufacturing cities in Minnesota. Here are made such products as shoes, pottery, leather, linseed oil, safety and robotic products.
There is a two-unit, 550 megawatts each, nuclear power plant located within the corporate limits of the City. Red Wing is surrounded by a rich agricultural territory. The County of Goodhue, of which Red Wing is the county seat, has been known for years as the “Banner County” of Minnesota in the production of farm products.

Health Care
Fairview Red Wing Health Services is a fully integrated health care system. Fairview Red Wing Medical Center provides both primary and specialty care with more than 50 physicians and providers on staff. Built in 2001, the medical center includes an inpatient, hospital unit licensed for 50 beds. This includes the Birthplace and four intensive care beds. The Emergency Department is a level two trauma center that can treat a wide variety of emergency care. For care beyond what is available in Red Wing, helicopters are available to transport patients to the Twin Cities or Rochester as needed. Local medical facilities consist of one medical clinic, 11 dental clinics, 52 doctors, one hospital and three nursing homes.

Parks and Recreation
The park system consists of over 930 acres. Red Wing has 38 community and neighborhood parks throughout the city. Parks include such amenities as trails, athletic fields, playgrounds,
neighborhood parks, open space, aquatic center, park pavilions, softball or basketball backstops, and offer outdoor skating rinks. You can also enjoy a municipal 36-hole golf course or the private18-hole golf course.

Cultural Amenities
Perhaps most recognized among the city’s offerings is the T.B. Sheldon Theatre, founded in 1904. This “glittering jewel box,” as it was called after its 1986 refurbishing, was the first city-owned theater in America. Today, the Sheldon offers year-round events ranging from theatre, music, dance, films, comedy, lectures and more. The theater features local and national performers, and also is home to The Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, The Phoenix Theatre and The Red Wing Singers. The city’s range of galleries offer the opportunity to view and purchase original art in a variety of media, including water colors, oils, pastels and charcoal; glass works; wood crafted items; clay and ceramic pieces; and much more. Galleries feature art from local, regional and national artists. In addition, citywide festivals, crafts and arts shows and expositions occur year round. Red Wing also is known for the Anderson Center, a unique facility set on 330 acres of blufflands dedicated to providing artists, writers and scholars time and space to focus on their work.

Education
Red Wing Public Schools (ISD # 256) offers pre-K through grade 12 children located in the district an opportunity to grow in a supportive and caring environment. Approximately 2,800 K-12 students are educated with the support of over 450 staff members. Public schools serving the City of Red Wing consist of one high school, one alternative high school, one middle school, two elementary schools and a family learning center. Red Wing High School students place in the top fifth percentile on PSAT scores which contributes to Red Wing’s placement in the top ten schools in Minnesota. The City of Red Wing also offers numerous private and parochial schools. Post-secondary classes are offered at the Red Wing campus of Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical.

Port Authority
The Red Wing Port Authority is a public body duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota. The Port Authority is considered to be a government subdivision, and the area within which the Authority may exercise its power coincides with the corporate limits of the City. The Authority is not a department of the City. Therefore, the City is not liable for its obligations, unless assumed by the City in writing. The Authority was established on July 8, 1985 by resolution of the City Council to encourage and carry out economic and industrial development and redevelopment within the City so as to increase the tax base, promote employment, and enhance the health, safety and welfare of City residents. The Authority is governed by seven Commissioners, two of whom must be current City Council members. All Commissioners of the Authority are appointed by the Mayor and must be approved by the City Council. The Council Administrator serves as ex-officio of the Authority. Other City staff, under the direction of the Council Administrator, act as fiscal agent for the Authority. City Council approval is required for certain Authority action such as bond issuances, sue of eminent domain powers, establishment of industrial development districts, and the creation of tax increment projects. This structure and organization is designed to ensure that Authority activities are consistent with City policies.

Organizational Chart
The mission statement reads, “The Port Authority is the primary leader for promoting economic and industrial development, together with identifying and coordinating redevelopment for the purpose of enhancing the tax base, promoting employment and contributing to the economic vitality and quality of life of the City of Red Wing.” For more details and information on all of the programs and services we encourage you to visit the City’s website at www.red-wing.org or the Red Wing Port Authority’s website at www.redwingportauthority.org.

Executive Director Position Summary
The Executive Director is appointed by and works under the direction of a seven-member Board of Directors to carry out the leadership and day to day administrative functions of the Port Authority. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and can serve two 3-year terms. The Executive Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and leading the activities of all Port Authority operations including business recruitment, retention and expansion. The Executive Director is responsible for coordinating the community-wide economic development efforts, as well as the Riverfront and Ole Miss Marina. The Executive Director supervises the activities of the staff, oversees the budget, and is responsible for community engagement, collaboration and building strong partnerships with all stakeholders.

Position Requirements
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in economic or community development, planning or a related field and five to seven years of experience in an economic or community development role. Three years of management and supervisory experience is required. National Development Council (NDC) certification is desirable. A wide range of business development skills and experiences is important. Must have strong knowledge of local government, excellent leadership skills and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Desired Capabilities
Strong Communicator
Ensures that communication is a high priority; is articulate, clearly explains complex issues and builds credibility, trust and understanding with everyone. Skilled in both public speaking and writing.
Community Participation
Recognizes that the Executive Director position is a valuable community asset; takes strong interest in being visible and active in the community. Has a passion for engaging citizens and stakeholders in the economic development process. Educates the community on the work of the Port Authority.
Personal Integrity
High degree of personal integrity; treats others respectfully; approachable and is an effective listener. Ability to earn trust quickly and through words and deeds can bring about desired change when needed.
Visionary
Expected to lead the Port Board, City Council, City staff, various stakeholders and community in implementing an economic development vision; stays focused on strategies and goals and introduces creative ideas to achieve the vision. Understands the macro-variables – “gets the big picture.”
Collaborative Leader
Skilled and willing to bring people together to build partnerships to address common problems; can build consensus, mediate solutions and unite people who have different views, yet share common goals.
Self Confidence
Knows economic development. Has the confidence to take appropriate risks and aggressive action when the opportunities arise. Has a solid track record of leadership and economic development success. Can make tough decisions, even in the face of opposition and critics.
Strategic Orientation
Understands dynamics and complex issues within a community; can approach problem-solving from a strategic perspective; ability to adapt to changing political and economic conditions.

Opportunities for Leadership
Unite the Community. Red Wing has a variety of entities that focus on a specific area of economic development, including the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Main Street, the VCB, the Chamber of Commerce, 20/20 group and the Red Wing Manufacturers Group. The Executive Director has a unique opportunity to provide leadership and energy to unite all of the existing plans and strategies toward a unified vision.

Build the Port Authority. The Port Authority Board of Directors is a volunteer Board with citizen members appointed by the Mayor. The Executive Director will foster the creativity and innovation of the Authority under the direction and guidance of the Board. The Executive Director will be in a great position to work closely with the Board and staff to develop their roles, operating culture and organizational direction.

Engage the Community. The Executive Director must have a passion for community engagement. The expectations are high and reaching out to city hall, economic development groups, citizens, state and federal legislators and agencies is a high priority. Building relationships, earning trust, educating the community and establishing positive credibility is a top priority of the Executive Director.

Create Jobs. The Red Wing community competes within a world marketplace. We have local, regional and national companies thriving within our borders. The Executive Director must be able to identify and promote Red Wing’s assets and strengths with a creative and effective job retention and development strategy. Understanding the Red Wing business climate is an important first step.

Sell the Community. Red Wing is a treasure and its natural beauty and image is remarkable. Yet from an economic development standpoint we have challenges, including transportation and land availability. The Executive Director must be able to develop a successful marketing plan that maximizes the assets of our community. Creative planning, risk taking and networking strategies are encouraged.

Develop the Organization. Along with the Executive Director the Port Authority staff consists of two other members: a business development director and a marina manager. The Executive Director will be asked to evaluate the organizational needs and, in time, make recommendations on building and developing the Port Authority with the requisite skill sets needed to be successful.

Compensation. Starting salary negotiable; depends on qualifications with competitive benefits.

Application and Selection Process. The position is open until filled. Review of resumes starts on March 26, 2012. To apply, submit a resume, salary history and work-related references to    portauthority@springsted.com or to David Unmacht, Senior Vice President, Springsted Incorporated, 380 Jackson Street, Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101. For more information, call (651) 223-3047. The Red Wing Port Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

“This position offers a great opportunity for an experienced leader to provide guidance and vision to help lead the economic development efforts of the Red Wing Community; we are excited about our future and the executive search process.” ?Michael Grove, President, Red Wing Port Authority

Recruitment Process Conducted By:

David Unmacht, Senior Vice President, Springsted Incorporated 380 Jackson Street, Suite 300, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2887 Telephone: 651.223.3000 Fax: 651.223.3002 E-mail: dunmacht@springsted.com

Send resume, cover letter, salary history and work-related references to:

David Unmacht, Senior Vice President, Springsted Incorporated, 380 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 or to portauthority@springsted.com. More information is available at www.redwingportauthority.org. Position open until filled; review of resumes begins March 26, 2012. Posting date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012