Director of Development

Director of Development

Brandon Main Street Association · Brandon, Mississippi · Full time, on-site · $75,000+

ABOUT US

Brandon Main Street Association is a nonprofit working to build business corridors in Brandon that people want to walk into, spend money in, and be proud of. We serve the Government Street corridors and the business districts across Brandon, not just the historic core. We are a Designated Mississippi Main Street program running on the Main Street America Four Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Our fundraising and community engagement events include the Crawfish Crawl 5K, Wine Down Downtown, multiple 042 Nights, and Brandonplatz.

WHAT YOU WOULD DO

• Build and run the annual investor campaign, including making the ask in person and closing it
• Research, write, and submit grant applications, and manage reporting and compliance on every award
• Recruit new businesses, work with property owners on vacancies, and serve the businesses already here
• Assist all four Main Street committees and carry assignments between meetings
• Assist in planning and coordination, and execute our signature events
• Represent Brandon at state economic and community development events and in front of public agencies
• Manage purchasing, event receipts, and record keeping alongside the Treasurer, and file every state and national report on time

You would work for a volunteer board of nine to thirteen members. Within the plan of work the Board adopts, you set the methods, the priorities, and the schedule.

WHAT WE REQUIRE

• A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant professional experience
• Community development experience
• Economic or business development experience
• Business management experience, with direct responsibility for a budget and comfort reading and explaining financial statements
• Experience working for a board of directors, or on a small team where everyone carries more than one role
• Proven success asking for and closing money, and the ability to research, write, and submit grant applications without training
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and the confidence to present to a city council or a room full of business owners
• A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel to required meetings and events

PREFERRED

Three or more years of relevant experience. Prior work with a Main Street program, chamber, nonprofit, or economic development organization. Familiarity with the Main Street Four Point Approach. QuickBooks. Canva or Adobe InDesign. Existing relationships in Rankin County or the greater Jackson metro.

THE HOURS

Main Street work happens at night and on weekends. You would keep dependable posted hours at the Brandon Main Street office, and you would also be at fundraising events, receptions, donor meetings, committee meetings, and board meetings that fall outside them. This is a salaried exempt position, so the salary is the full compensation for the work, including evening and weekend work. The job also involves setting up and breaking down event equipment and lifting up to 30 pounds.

COMPENSATION

Base salary of at least $75,000, with the final salary set by the Board based on relevant education and experience. Up to 56 hours of paid sick leave and up to 56 hours of paid personal time off each calendar year. We follow the City of Brandon holiday schedule. A computer and phone are provided for work use. Professional development travel may be approved by the Board. BMSA does not maintain a group health plan; the Board may arrange employee only coverage as part of an offer.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply by email rather than through LinkedIn. We need four documents in one PDF and LinkedIn will only pass along a resume. Send a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and one writing sample as a single PDF to secretary@brandonmainstreet.com with "Director of Development" in the subject line. Applications close Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5:00pm.

For the writing sample, send one to two pages of something you wrote yourself and actually sent: a grant narrative, a funding request, a sponsorship proposal, or an investor letter. In your cover letter, tell us about a time you asked someone for money and got it.

TIMELINE

First round interviews are the week of November 9, 2026. Finalists interview the week of November 16. An offer will be extended on or about November 20, with a start date on or before December 7, 2026.

An offer of employment is contingent upon completion of a background check and the Board's determination that the results are satisfactory. Finalists may be required to complete up to two non-medical employment assessments, administered consistently to similarly situated finalists for a job related purpose.

Brandon Main Street Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.