Executive Director, The RiverFront Market

ABOUT THE RIVERFRONT MARKET 

The Omaha Market Trust (OMT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leading the development of The RiverFront Market, a year-round indoor public market in downtown Omaha, NE. Designed as a welcoming community gathering place, the Market will expand access to fresh, affordable food while creating opportunities for local producers and entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. The market will include vendor space, flexible public areas, and shared amenities. Tentatively planned to open in 2028, The RiverFront Market will celebrate Omaha’s cultural and culinary heritage while advancing food access, economic opportunity, and community belonging.

POSITION SUMMARY

A public market can become one of the most treasured places in a community. To make this happen, the Executive Director (ED) needs to genuinely believe in the Market's mission and bring creativity and enthusiasm to connecting with customers, vendors, partners, and funders.

The ED will have the initial responsibility for supporting the planning for the Market’s opening, as well as the ongoing responsibility of operating it. These are two distinct undertakings that require expertise in multitasking and stakeholder management and engagement. Customers, vendors, community leaders, partners, and funders each bring distinct priorities and perspectives on the Market’s role in the community. The ED must skillfully synthesize these voices into a thriving, sustainable marketplace that serves the community with fresh appeal every day.

The ED will have the counsel and guidance of a nonprofit Board of Directors to assist with the grand opening of the Market during the planning, development, and construction phases, as well as ongoing operations following the opening. The ED will also benefit from guidance, training, and learning journeys to other public markets curated by Project for Public Spaces. The role will include hiring and supervising staff to support the Market’s opening and day-to-day operations.

ABOUT OMAHA

Omaha, Nebraska, is a bustling Midwestern hub with a metro population of more than one million people. Known for its friendly atmosphere, low cost of living, and strong sense of community, Omaha is a major transportation and Fortune 500 business hub, hosting the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, Kiewit, and Mutual of Omaha. The city has a vibrant arts scene, excellent restaurants, and a strong culture of philanthropy, including The RiverFront — a transformational public-private partnership that reconnected downtown Omaha to the Missouri River through 72 acres of parks and family-friendly amenities.

Key Responsibilities

As the Market moves from planning into daily operations, the Executive Director’s primary responsibilities will shift over time.

Priorities leading up to opening:

The ED will join a planning team made up of the Board of Directors, architects, program and construction consultants to:

• Assist with Market facility planning and the construction phase.

• Lead vendor outreach, leasing, and merchandising strategy.

• Develop operational policies and procedures.

• Hire and develop initial staff.

• Conduct ongoing community outreach and build partnerships with local stakeholders.

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to establish key organizational Market strategies and long-range goals.

• Lead marketing and promotional efforts, and collaborate closely with the Communications Manager once hired.

• Collaborate with the Board on fundraising efforts.

• Assist with the ongoing refinement of the operating proforma.

• Become the spokesperson/public face for the Market.

Priorities in the Market’s first year:

• Work closely with vendors as they open and grow their businesses.

• Continue building and maintaining strong relationships with the Board, vendors, city officials, and community stakeholders through consistent communication and engagement opportunities.

• Lead the grand opening and shape marketing and promotional strategy with the Communications Manager.

• Establish and fine-tune day-to-day Market operations with support from Market staff.

• Build an inclusive market culture where all vendors and customers feel welcome.

The following list represents the ED’s primary day-to-day responsibilities:

Mission and Leadership

• Ensure all Market activities align with organizational mission and values.

• Advance inclusion, equity, and access through strong community relationships.

• Provide strategic recommendations and leadership to the Board of Directors.

• Advocate for Omaha’s local food system, local economy, and small businesses.

• Identify opportunities for the Market to complement the ongoing revitalization of downtown Omaha and The RiverFront.

Vendor Recruitment and Management

• Oversee daily operations, including vendor coordination, internal competition, and merchandising.

• Recruit, onboard, and support vendors through leasing, compliance, permitting, buildout, and ongoing operations.

• Manage merchandise mix to ensure variety, affordability, and appeal to a broad constituency of needs and tastes.

Operations

• Manage the operating budget, financial records for audit compliance, and performance metrics.

• Oversee daily operations, including customer service, cleanliness, safety, and all building systems with the Facilities Manager.

• Shape and advance marketing strategy to strengthen brand consistency, reach, and engagement.

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures and coordinate with building management and service contractors.

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of 5-10 Market staff.

• Provide regular reports to the Board.

Revenue Generation

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan that drives revenue growth and advances organizational objectives.

• Stay abreast of current philanthropic trends and develop new strategies to increase philanthropic support from individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

• Execute an annual individual giving campaign, building on current and past relationships.

• Lead the Market team to build customer visitation and increase vendors’ sales levels.

• Consider other ways to build revenue, such as increasing hours or days as warranted.

Programming and Community Engagement

• Drive planning for programs, events, and promotions with program staff to maximize mission impact, sales, and customer visits. 

• Serve as the public face of the Market with community stakeholders, city agencies, and local businesses. 

• Cultivate creative partnerships with Omaha institutions that can bring additional customers, publicity, programs, events, and resources to the Market.

Who Will Thrive in This Role

The ideal Executive Director is:

• Mission-driven — passionate about the role public markets play in supporting small businesses and local food systems, with a focus on building vendor sales in a competitive food arena and achieving other measurable community impacts.

• Skilled across disciplines with experience in property management, retail operations, stakeholder relations, financial management, and fundraising.

• A strong people person who excels at hospitality and building relationships across diverse communities and inspiring staff, Board members, and external partners.

• Firm, fair, and nimble — able to navigate complex vendor relationships, operational challenges, and bureaucracy with composure and decisiveness.

• Creative and resourceful — responds to changing needs with fresh ideas and practical solutions.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented — capable of managing multiple priorities while leading a team and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Required qualifications:

• Leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or social enterprise setting.

• Financial management experience, including budgeting, revenue generation, and fiscal responsibility.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing fundraising strategies.

• Experience leading, hiring, and managing a staff.

• Strong communicator who connects well with staff, vendors, customers, partners, funders, and community members.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent lived or professional experience.

• Experience in real estate development, urban planning, small business operations, community economic development, and/or food systems, in addition to social enterprise leadership abilities.

• Connection to and understanding of the Omaha community or the surrounding area.

• Bilingual abilities, especially English/Spanish.

Don't check every box? Apply anyway. We value passion, potential, and diverse life experiences as much as specific qualifications.

Salary and Application Process

• Salary range: $150-$175K

• Full benefits package included

• Schedule expectations: Pre-opening, standard weekday hours are expected with availability for nights and weekends as needed. Some travel is required, particularly in the first year of the role, to learn from peer organizations. Post-opening, regular availability on-site during the Market’s operating hours, including evenings and weekends, will be expected. Schedule subject to change as Market staffing evolves. 

This search is being conducted by Project for Public Spaces, a partner on The RiverFront Market project. To apply, please prepare a cover letter and resume in a single PDF with the file name formatted “Lastname Firstname - Executive Director” and complete this form. Applications will be accepted until May 11. Initial interviews will be conducted on the phone, a second round of interviews will be conducted on video call, and final interviews will take place in person in Omaha. The goal start date is early August.

Please email info@pps.org with questions.