Fort DuPont is searching for an Executive Director who has the opportunity to shape a long-term public legacy by guiding the transformation of an important historic place into a vibrant destination where people can live, work, visit, and connect. See details below.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation (FDRPC) seeks an Executive Director to lead the continued redevelopment, preservation, and public activation of the Fort DuPont campus in historic Delaware City. This is a distinctive leadership opportunity at the intersection of real estate development, historic preservation, public infrastructure, community engagement, and economic development.

Located along the Delaware River, the C&D Canal, and the historic Branch Canal, Fort DuPont has served military purposes from the Civil War era through World War II. In 2014, the Delaware General Assembly and Governor created FDRPC to preserve and protect the site, redevelop it as a public destination, and advance a mixed-use community integrated with Delaware City. The Executive Director must connect that statutory mission to day-to-day execution, ensuring that redevelopment, preservation, public access, and community benefit advance together.

KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead implementation and continued refinement of the Fort DuPont master plan, balancing redevelopment, preservation, public access, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.
  • Build productive relationships with Delaware City government, residents, property owners, state and federal partners, developers, contractors, and other stakeholders; emphasize transparency, timely communication, and consensus-building.
  • Serve as a visible and accessible community leader, organizing and participating in public meetings and responding constructively to community concerns and unresolved issues.
  • Oversee campus operations, including property and building maintenance, security, site safety, rental properties, and coordination of construction activity.
  • Lead and develop FDRPC staff; oversee office operations, payroll, vendor relationships, contracts, insurance, and other administrative functions.
  • Coordinate with the FDRPC legal team on land-development contracts, related transactions, compliance matters, and other legal issues affecting redevelopment, preservation, operations, and governance.
  • Provide strong fiscal stewardship, including preparation and management of operating and capital budgets, cash flow, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, audit coordination, loan and construction draw documentation, and invoice approval.
  • Oversee due diligence, contract administration, land-development documentation, and, where applicable, historic tax credit applications, certifications, transfers, and related transactions.
  • Work closely with the Board of Directors and Board Chair as the organization’s principal professional advisor; recommend strategic priorities, policies, resource needs, budgets, public relations, fundraising, and advocacy strategies.
  • Serve as FDRPC’s principal governmental liaison with federal, state, county, and municipal entities; respond to legislative inquiries and represent the Corporation at public hearings as needed.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will be a strategic, highly organized executive who can move comfortably between long-range planning and daily operations. The role requires sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, high ethical standards, and the ability to lead through influence in a complex public-facing environment.

  • Demonstrated executive leadership, including experience working with a board, managing staff, overseeing contracts, setting strategic direction, and delivering measurable organizational results.
  • Strong fiscal management experience, including budgeting, financial reporting, cash-flow oversight, audits, and stewardship of significant public or organizational resources.
  • Proven project-management ability and capacity to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with residents, public officials, board members, investors, contractors, and community partners.
  • Ability to build consensus, negotiate effectively, resolve problems, and maintain credibility across differing interests.
  • Working ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings and to engage effectively with design, construction, and infrastructure professionals.
  • Commitment to public engagement, transparency, historic preservation, public access, and the long-term success of Fort DuPont and Delaware City.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five years of experience in an executive or senior leadership role with demonstrated management responsibility.
  • Experience with boards, contracts, strategic planning, staff leadership and development, and fiscal management.
  • Demonstrated organizational leadership, project management, public relations, and marketing capabilities.
  • Working knowledge of employee and construction-site safety requirements, including OSHA-related responsibilities.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

  • Real estate development, construction management, or related property-development experience.
  • Historic preservation, adaptive reuse, or stewardship of historic buildings, landmarks, or districts.
  • Management of leased facilities or rental properties.
  • Experience attracting investment, building partnerships, and advancing growth-oriented initiatives.
  • Skilled negotiation and experience reporting directly to a governing board.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter by October 30, 2026, describing your interest in Fort DuPont, relevant executive leadership experience, and experience with redevelopment, preservation, public infrastructure, or community-focused work. Direct all materials to the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation, 260 Old Elm Ave., P.O. Box 521, Delaware City, DE  19706.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and the scope of responsibility. The position requires regular on-site presence in Delaware City and availability for public meetings, Board meetings, stakeholder engagement, and time-sensitive redevelopment matters.