Director of Economic Development

To review the full job description as well as to submit an application, please visit the link below.

https://secure7.saashr.com/ta/6207725.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US

The Director of Economic Development provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and management of the Town’s economic development functions. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing programs that promote business attraction, retention, and expansion, as well as commercial development and redevelopment in accordance with the Town’s municipal code, policies, and strategic objectives.

The Director collaborates with Town leadership, advisory boards, community partners, and the business community to create and sustain a vibrant local economy. This role may serve as the executive director of the Firestone Urban Renewal Authority (FURA) and the Central Firestone District Downtown Development Authority (CFD), and ensures the effective administration of FURA and CFD, implementing strategic goals, initiatives, and supports the Town’s vision of responsible growth, fiscal stability, and exceptional public service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The list below is intended to illustrate the responsibilities of the position and is not all-encompassing. The Town reserves the right to modify these duties at any time.

• Leads the development, implementation, and update of the Town’s economic development strategic plans aligned with Firestone’s Comprehensive Master Plan and the Board of Trustees’ Work Plan.
• Serves as a member of the Town’s leadership team; advises Town Manager, Town Board CFD Board, and FURA on strategy and growth opportunities.
• Designs and implements programs to attract high-value businesses, retain and expand local employers, and enhance job opportunities.
• Guides prospective and existing businesses, including site selection, incentive evaluation, market data, and relevant Town codes.
• Collaborates with neighboring jurisdictions, regional economic development entities and state agencies to maximize business development opportunities.
• Provides oversight for Urban Renewal Areas (URAs), Downtown Development Authority (DDA)and the utilization of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) mechanisms under Colorado law.
• Negotiates development agreements, public-private partnerships, and incentive packages that meet Town objectives.
• Administers the FURA, providing support, preparing meeting agendas, and producing required reports. Ensures compliance with bylaws, state statutes, and transparency standards for both the FURA and the CFD.
• Prepares financial and technical analyses, including economic and fiscal impact reports, and other planning, marketing, and real estate studies for consideration by Town staff, the Board of Trustees, FURA , CFD Board, and other stakeholders in evaluating proposed redevelopment projects and public investments.
• Coordinates with developers, property owners, and community stakeholders to facilitate development and redevelopment projects, negotiate agreements, and implement public-private investment initiatives that support Town goals and economic growth.
• Leads outreach, engagement and communication efforts for economic development and redevelopment initiatives: public meetings, advisory groups, presentations to leadership and boards.
• Monitors economic development programs and provides business assistance initiatives consistent with Town policy and strategic objectives.
• Develops and manages the department FURA, and CFD operating budgets and monitors expenditures, incentives and project financials.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, municipal code, land use and zoning regulations, urban renewal statutes, procurement rules and public finance requirements.
• Monitors economic and development trends, local market conditions, tax base and redevelopment indicators; maintains relevant databases and tracking systems for business leads, incentive commitments and project outcomes.
• Uses insight from analytics and benchmarking to refine strategies, improve performance and support the Town’s long-term economic objectives.
• Develops, implements, and monitors policy and programs to support sustainable economic growth.
• Maintains awareness of local, state, and federal programs that can benefit the Town and its business community.
• Establishes clear performance objectives and promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous growth and improvement.
• Tracks and analyzes economic trends, development activity, and program outcomes.
• Collaborates with the Marketing & Communications Department to create marketing materials for economic development efforts, social media content, and web pages.
• Participates in ongoing training for personal and professional development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required:

• Comprehensive knowledge of economic development, redevelopment, and urban renewal principles and best practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, analyze complex financial data, and evaluate project feasibility.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to work effectively with elected officials, developers, business leaders, community members and regional partners.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Proficient in project management, data analytics, performance measurement, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build effective relationships, collaborate across functions, and drive results in a municipal environment.
• Ability to address a diverse audience and provide effective public presentations
• Ability to interpret Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations governing development
• Knowledge of statistical and research methods, including use of specialized software applications
• Ability to prepare and analyze economic studies, data, financial statements, marketing studies, plans, specs and bid documents
• Acts in accordance with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation & IEDC code of ethics
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle confidential issues with tact and discretion