Historic Landmarks Director

This is an exempt position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity

The success of Mecklenburg County rests on strong, competent talent at all levels of the organization. If you enjoy working with the public and are looking for a career where your work is important to the community, come be a part of Mecklenburg County Government and help us provide a community of pride and choice for people to live, learn, work, and recreate.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Mecklenburg County is home to over a million residents and the City of Charlotte. With its trees, lakes and green open spaces, diverse communities, arts, culture, entertainment and range of professional and minor league sports teams, people who come to Mecklenburg County find an energized downtown (also known as “uptown”) and a variety of living options and leisure activities. Community leaders aspire to be the best in all of its endeavors while preserving traditions and not compromising on a superb quality of life.

Mecklenburg County is located in the heart of the Southeast and is comprised of seven (7) municipalities: the City of Charlotte and the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville, within the southern Piedmont area of North Carolina along the state’s border with South Carolina. The County was incorporated in 1768, named after the German homeland of Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, the then-reigning monarch. The economy and the community transformed from one primarily tied to the textile industry to a major banking and financial center in the U.S. and is home to several Fortune 500 companies including Bank of America, Duke Energy, Nucor, Honeywell and Truist Financial. As of 2021, the population was over 1.12 million and continues to grow with the strong economy, excellent services and schools, as well as a diverse and friendly population.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The North Carolina Constitution gives residents of all counties the right to elect a Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Since 1994, Mecklenburg County has been governed by a nine-member BOCC with six members elected by districts and three elected at-large. The BOCC are committed to serve the residents, workers, and visitors as a premier service provider. The County Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer, managing the daily affairs of the county departments with its 5,800 full-time employees and $2.16 billion operating budget.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Created in July 1973 by joint action of the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) derives all of its powers from State Enabling Legislation. The fundamental purpose of the Commission is to recommend the designation of properties (real and personal) for historic landmark designation and to secure the preservation of same through exercising design review and by acquiring and selling fee simple or lesser included interests in endangered historic landmarks.

The HLC is an agency of Mecklenburg County. The HLC has 12 members with five key committees: Executive, Survey, Design Review, Projects, and Nominating. The Board of County Commissioners appoints 6 members, the Charlotte City Council appoints 4 members, and the Mayor of Charlotte appoints 2 members. All members are appointed for 3-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for an additional 3-year term.

The Historic Landmarks Commission protects properties in four fundamental ways.

• It recommends the designation of individually significant properties as historic landmarks.

• It buys and sells fee simple or lesser included interests in endangered historic landmarks through its revolving

fund (currently containing funds in excess of $2.5 million) and places preservation covenants in the deeds

when the properties are sold.

• It administers design review over intended material alterations of historic landmarks.

• It educates the general public about the significance of historic landmarks.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Mecklenburg County is seeking a dynamic and creative individual to lead the Historic Landmarks Commission through its next phase of growth and evolution. The Director of Historic Landmarks is responsible for the overall vision of Mecklenburg County’s Historic Preservation Strategy and its implementation as supported by the County and the local jurisdictions. The Director of Historic Landmarks manages the day-to-day operations of the HLC, including the supervision of a small staff presently comprised of one Preservation Planner and one part-time Administrative Assistant. The Director of Historic Landmarks will report to executive management in the County Manager’s Office and will work closely with the public, the press, elected officials, commission members, government, and municipal staff.

The Director of Historic Landmarks might be for you if:

• You possess collaborative, strategic, and entrepreneurial skills, and have a passion for historic preservation with a deep commitment to the mission of the organization

• You are a highly organized individual who can prioritize the goals and objectives of the HLC

• You can develop short- and long-term strategies to maximize the preservations efforts of the HLC

• You like nurturing positive working relationships with public officials, community leaders, residents, local and state government agencies and decision-makers, supporters, and detractors, as well as the area’s

developers and builders

• You can lead the effort to further leverage technology for the benefit of the historic built environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

What you’ll need to join us: (Minimum Qualifications)

• Minimum of ten years’ experience; including three years of supervisory experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation, Architecture, or related field
• In-depth understanding of Preservation Easements, Landmark Designation, National Register Designation, Preservation Deed Covenants, and local history
• Demonstrated experience in financial forecasting and budget development and management, including personnel, maintenance and operations, and capital
• Strong written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences
• Experience creating and presenting strategic initiatives, business plans, performance data and informational updates to executive staff, external customers, and boards/elected officials
• Willingness to work a flexible and varied schedule – position requires attendance at HLC and County meetings normally held after business hours

What we would really like you to have: (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in one of the areas listed above

• 10 years of Historic Preservation experience

• Experience buying and selling property, including leveraging options on property

• Experience managing a revolving Fund

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.

Mecklenburg County