• District Manager, Thurston Road

    PathStone Corporation (Rochester, NY)


    District Manager, Thurston Road

     

    Summary Purpose for the Position

     

    The district manager will lead a three-year economic development project along Thurston Road in Rochester, NY. This role is a key part of our collaboration with the Thurston Brooks Merchant Association and is funded by the ESL Foundation. The District Manager will be responsible for implementing a strategic plan to revitalize the Thurston Road corridor, fostering business growth, and enhancing community engagement.

     

    Requirements (Education, Experience, Certification, Knowledge, Skill)

     

    Bachelor's degree in marketing, program management or related field and/or minimum 5 years’ experience project management, economic development, or a related field.

     

    Proven experience in community outreach, development, and place making.

     

    Strong understanding of urban planning, small business support, and community engagement principles.

     

    Experience in marketing, branding, event planning and social media strategy.

     

    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

     

    Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including business owners, residents, and community organizations.

     

    Knowledge of the Rochester, NY community, particularly the 19th Ward, is a plus.

    Position Responsibilities

    Project Management and Implementation:

    Serves as the primary point of contact for all project activities, ensuring alignment with the project proposal's goals and timeline.

     

    Manage a three-year, $543,000 budget, including tracking and reporting on expenditures.

     

    Oversee the implementation of all project phases, from initial research and pilot programs in Year 1 to scaling and full implementation in Years 2 and 3.

    Economic Development and Business Support:

    Collaborate with an outside contractor to conduct market research and a business incentive study to identify new business opportunities and retail gaps.

     

    Promote and recruit new businesses to the district using subgrants and incentives.

     

    Manage the white boxing pilot program, preparing vacant storefronts for new tenants.

     

    Coordinate referral services to provide programmatic and technical assistance to small businesses in the district.

     

    Branding, Marketing, and Community Engagement

     

    Lead the development and rollout of a cohesive district brand identity.

     

    Implement comprehensive marketing and social media strategies, including digital presence, signage, and promotional campaigns.

     

    Plan and execute community engagement activities, such as town halls, pop-up events, and merchant meetings.

     

    Provide logistical and promotional support for community events like "Ease on Down."

     

    Maintain open communication with merchants, residents, and stakeholders to ensure inclusive, data-driven decision-making.

     

    Working Conditions/Environment

     

    Occasional travel and irregular hours (25% of work time)

     

    Physical demands: sitting up to 6 hours, standing 4-6 hours, lifting up to 40 lbs

     

    May require evenings and weekend work.

     

    Transportation Requirement

     

    Position requires automobile, driver’s license and insurance.

     

    Last Updated: 2025-09-09