Local First Utah is a non-profit 501(c) 3 tax exempt corporation established in 2005 to promote and sustain local and independent businesses throughout the State of Utah.  Local, independent businesses (those that are owned at least 51% by Utah residents who have the authority to make all business decisions) are critically important to both the economic strength of the regional economy and to the character and quality of life that it reflects.  Currently, almost 3,000 Utah businesses are registered as partners with Local First Utah from locations throughout the state.

Increasingly, local and independent businesses are threatened by expanding national retail chains and uninformed public policy.  Local First Utah was created to support public education and promotional events for consumers, public officials and local businesses, themselves.   Through periodic promotions, public seminars and awareness campaigns, Local First hopes to encourage consumers to value the wide range of benefits and contributions local businesses provide our community; reinforce the potential and strength of locally owned businesses organizing, buying and promoting their local brand; and the significance of local government policies and actions that can sustain and support the local business sector in their communities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Local First Utah seeks a creative, energetic and entrepreneurial professional who is passionate about the mission of our organization. We seek a leader to guide the development and expansion of this critically important, growing and exciting organization. Buy local has become a national movement and Local First Utah, as a leader seeks a talented Executive Director to guide our organization's path in Utah. Primary duties and responsibilities for this person include:

Program Development

• Build and expand our signature statewide brand awareness campaigns – Buy Local First Week (November) and Independents Week (July) to establish greater visibility, partnerships and educational opportunities.  Increasingly broaden the participation of both volunteers and partner organizations.
• Sustain Local First Utah public education and public policy influence with successive events, seminars and topical presentations that focus on priority issues and messages.
• Expand existing geographically defined local business initiatives (Ogden, Moab, SLC neighborhood business districts) had held to identify and support development of new business nodes.
• Develop and expand a successful partner fulfillment program that encourages appropriate use of the local first brand among all partners in the state.
• Support local government affairs groups in select communities that promote informed and effective public policy that enables local business success.
• Assist with development and dissemination of Utah and national research that reinforces the contributions that local business makes to our economic health.

Management

• Identify, recruit, train and manage appropriate staff, interns and volunteers within the scope of budget and program plans to efficiently realize organization objectives.
• Maintain and refine, as necessary, Local First Utah’s local business partner directory on our website (www.localfirst.org) 
• Prepare program and campaign budgets and provide financial information to the Board of Directors in an efficient and timely manner to facilitate program management and resource development planning.
• Assure financial management systems and controls.
• Manage annual 990 tax filing and preparation of annual reports and other contracted reports for donors and partners.

Resource Development

• Working closely with the Board of Directors and appropriate board committees identify, cultivate and solicit sufficient financial resources from corporations and foundations, large donors, public sources, individual giving and partner support (for both program operation and specific sponsored campaigns) to finance programs, campaigns and strategic priorities.
• Manage and support Local First Utah development initiatives such as Celebrate the Bounty and the Salt Lake City Weekly Beer Festival
• Prepare grant applications, budgets and reports as required in a timely manner.
• Build and expand human resource pool of interns, volunteers and partners to support program priorities.

Organization Development

• Assist with recruitment and development of appropriate representation on the Board of Directors and formulation of functional committee governance structure
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to establish clear and realistic strategic priorities.
• Staff, delegate and or monitor board, partner and program committees that support organizational priorities.
• Maintain an efficient system of communication among board, staff and partners.
• Build and expand systems to facilitate partner fulfillment and communication throughout the state.

Public Relations and Communication

• Have a strong and deep commitment to the local first movement and serve as spokesperson for organization along with board members and/or business partners.
• Develop and implement an aggressive pubic relations effort in conjunction with programs, campaigns and public education events.
• Coordinate with local contractors and volunteers to produce appropriate collateral materials and website.

Qualifications

Local First Utah is seeking an executive with proven experience in organization development and management; and/or business formation and development. The successful candidate should have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills. Prior background in fund raising, non profit management and/or business management with a locally owned and independent business is helpful. Demonstration of an informed and dedicated commitment to the principles of local first is critical. The job will require some travel around the state of Utah.

Timeframe, Salary and Supervision

This position is open immediately (January 2012) and will remain open until filled.  The successful candidate will report to the Local First Utah Board of Directors.  Funding for this position is provided through a combination of public, philanthropic and corporate contributions and private donations. This is a full time position with a salary in mid $40,000 range and is subject to qualifications.

For more information about Local First Utah, please visit our website at www.localfirst.org.  Please submit your resume and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for this position to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Local First Utah is an equal opportunity employer