Job Description

Lakewood Economic Development Director

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $175,000.00 - $205,000.00/year

Represents the City as a liaison and educator with pertinent interests, gathering input from City Council, City staff and the community, for developing and implementing an expanded vision. Oversees Economic Development Division, providing staff leadership to Economic Development and Lakewood Reinvestment Authority responsibilities while also serving as the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Establishes and executes long-term visions for Economic Development and Community Vitality for the City of Lakewood by creating a strategic plan to achieve the vision; empowers others to collaborate towards shared goals.
• Performs duties of Executive Director of Lakewood Reinvestment Authority and shall exercise supervision over the business of the Authority and of those members of the City Staff as may be assigned to Authority business.
• Reinvent and reimage Economic Development, collaboratively create an expanded vision of thriving businesses and community vitality. Create strategies for improving the well-being of residents within the community of Lakewood and identify funding.
• Manages a range of strategic initiatives and resource allocations that drive economic development objectives and community goals. Responsibilities include operational and strategic planning to support growth; developing and refining standards, priorities, and using performance measurements to maximize community outcomes.
• Provides strategic leadership to Economic Development Staff, including hiring, mentoring, training, performance management and work assignments.
• Develops relationships, collaborates and liaises with employees, community groups, non-profits, businesses, other stakeholders and individuals to explain and promote City plans and programs.
• Plans, coordinates, and ensures quality control of information for programs and work to be presented at City Council meetings and media.
• Negotiates development and associated agreements with developers and partner City departments for City Council consideration.
• Facilitates process for considering new Urban Renewal Areas.
• Manages Economic Development and Lakewood Reinvestment Authority budget and funds.
• Regularly presents at City Council, Lakewood Reinvestment Authority, business and community functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: Chief Financial Officer

Supervision Exercised: Directs the work of and actively participates in the training and mentoring of the Economic Development staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A visionary leader coupled with ability to execute.
• Ability to make and employ sound judgments and use skills and knowledge to derive innovative solutions to difficult situations with little or no precedent.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and adapt to rapidly changing priorities using effective written/verbal communication and organization skills.
• Effective presenter to multiple types of audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of the development process, financing options and ability to understand development-related regulations.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to rethink traditional approaches of Economic Development in communities using innovative and strategic problem solving.
• Strong knowledge of Colorado real estate law and practice to include ability to read, prepare and interpret maps, site and construction plans, real estate property legal descriptions and conveyance documents.
• Strong knowledge of Urban Renewal authorities.
• Ability to build strong relationships with a wide variety of partners and groups and have the capability to resolve conflicts among disparate groups.
• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and management skills while employing a high degree of confidentiality, trustworthiness and accuracy.
• Effective budget and fund management.
• Ability to collaborate with input on design and implementation of marketing and public relations programs.
• Ability to write articles for division newsletters following general journalistic guidelines.

Technological Skills

• Strong computer knowledge and ability with word processing, databases and presentations.
• Knowledge and experience with Salesforce, CoStar, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, and eTRAKiT preferred.

Education and Experience

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Management, Economics, Marketing, Community Development or related field.
• A Master's degree is preferred in Business Administration, Economics, or equivalent.

Experience:

• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in community development, nonprofit management, economic development, affordable housing, homeless solutions, thriving communities, or related area, including five years of management experience, staff development, supervising four or more people.
• Experience should include: communications, public speaking, facilitation, negotiation, economic non-profit or community development strategy, creating innovative solutions to difficult situations with little or no precedent, recruitment/business retention, project management, managing a budget, and public relations.
• Five years' direct experience with private or public sector Economic Development Organization (EDO). Experience will have provided direct exposure to and substantial working knowledge of the planning, development and regulation processes within the public sector, including zoning inspection, building permits and economic development.

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certification preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 pounds with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.

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