Summary
Description
RiNo BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Application Deadline: Thursday, July 10 by 5:00 PM
POSITION TITLE: Executive Director
STATUS: Full-Time, In-Person
REPORTS TO: RiNo BID Board of Directors
ABOUT THE RiNo BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
The RiNo Business Improvement District (BID), providing services in the nationally-recognized RiNo Art District located in the urban core of Denver, was established by property and business owners in 2015 to champion the development of a vibrant, engaged and creative RiNo Art District. Commercial property owners within the BID boundaries (MAP) fund the RiNo BID through a 4 mill property tax based on assessed property value in order to leverage resources for the benefit of the entire district. These property taxes are used to generate funding for services the BID provides that have been developed and prioritized by property and business owners of the RiNo Art District. Since 2015, the RiNo BID has funded projects, programs, and initiatives to support and implement the district’s priorities including but not limited to:
- Critical public realm improvements, including conversions of 1-way to 2-way streets, and the addition of crosswalks, bike lanes and other improvements to enhance the district’s physical environment and accessibility
- Investments in a comprehensive wayfinding program that aligns with the RiNo brand
- Development and oversight of the RiNo Clean Team, providing clean services throughout the district
- Planning and policy work including development of the RiNo Design Overlay and Design Guidebook
- Support for artists and creatives, and investments in art throughout the district
The RiNo BID currently has an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million. It is overseen by an eleven member Board of Directors.
OTHER RiNo PARTNERS
There are three other entities operating within the RiNo Art District that provide community services:
- RiNo General Improvement District (GID): When the RiNo BID was established in 2015, it was created alongside the RiNo General Improvement District (GID). The RiNo GID overlays a portion of the RiNo BID on the western edge of the district and is focused primarily on infrastructure projects and maintenance in what was once a more undeveloped part of the district. The RiNo GID assesses both commercial and residential property. There are two assessment structures within the RiNo GID – a 4 mill property tax based on the assessed value of the district, as well as linear front footage charge of $10/linear foot for properties touching Brighton Boulevard which services debt payments on a $3 million loan that funded enhancements to Brighton Boulevard when the city constructed the street in 2017-2018, including lights, trees, benches and more. The linear front footage charge will go away once the debt service on the $3 million loan is completed. The annual budget of the RiNo GID is $2.973 million. The RiNo GID board consists of 11 board members from the RiNo GID area as well as city representatives.
- RiNo Art District (RAD): The RiNo Art District (RAD) organization is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization that was formed in 2006 by a collective of local artists who sought opportunities to collectively program, market and activate the emerging arts district. In its earliest days, the organization launched First Friday activations and developed maps and marketing tools to help visitors connect with working artists throughout the neighborhood. As the District evolved and inevitable growth came, its focus shifted to advocacy, planning and investments to ensure artists would always have a home, and work, in RiNo. The RiNo Art District board consists of 13 members representing the various interests of the membership.
- Keep RiNo Wild (KRW): Keep RiNo Wild is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as the charitable arm of the RiNo Art District. KRW is focused on education, community benefit and creative programming. KRW provides and advocates for permanent, affordable creative spaces to support the artist community that calls the RiNo Art District home. The organization is focused on embracing the power of art to foster connection in the community through educational programming, events, classes and experiences for all ages, backgrounds and socio-economic groups. Donations to KRW support the RiNo Art District’s work in arts education, advocacy and affordability, and contributions are tax deductible. KRW is overseen by a 6-member board of directors.
The continued success and impact of RiNo’s revitalization efforts rely on the coordinated collaboration of all RiNo Partners, including the RiNo BID and GID, RAD and KRW. Each entity plays a critical role in providing strategic leadership, operational capacity, and specialized resources that collectively advance the district’s cultural, economic, and community objectives. Equally essential is RiNo’s commitment to being a responsible and respectful neighbor to the historic neighborhoods of Five Points, Elyria-Swansea, Globeville, and Cole — neighborhoods that border or intersect with the RiNo BID’s boundaries.
A TIME OF TRANSITION, AND RENEWAL
The last decade has brought tremendous change to the RiNo Art District. When the RiNo BID and GID were formed in 2015, the RiNo Art District organization had already been in operation for nearly 10 years and had served as the lead advocate for the neighborhood. In those early years, a unified management structure that combined the RiNo Art District (RAD), BID, GID and KRW staff, as well as operational costs, made sense. Under this initial structure the BID, along with the GID and KRW, outsourced oversight and management of their operations to the RAD. As the years passed and each entity grew in size, that organizational structure became increasingly complex. At the same time, the needs and demands of the district expanded.
The RiNo BID was the only organization amongst the four entities that had a 10-year sunset clause and therefore required a ten-year renewal process be approved by City Council this year. As part of that renewal process, the RiNo BID initiated engagement and outreach to stakeholders in 2024 to weigh in on its impact and begin to plan for its next 10 years of operations pending a successful renewal campaign. The feedback indicated that stakeholders felt that the value of the RiNo BID could be seen across the district, however the existing organizational structure was no longer conducive to the present-day needs and realities of a RiNo that has changed so profoundly.
As part of the BID renewal process, it became clear that a new approach to organizational management was warranted. That transition is underway. For the first time ever, the RiNo BID will operate as a stand-alone organization, employing its own staff and serving community priorities focused on cleaning, safety and business assistance as well as continued support for the artists and creatives who have put RiNo on the map. Strategic partnerships will continue with the other organizations, who are also restructuring their leadership and management models, in particular with the RiNo GID which overlaps the western half of the BID and will be a partner in delivering some targeted services and projects. The selected BID Executive Director must be prepared to work in close coordination with the GID leadership as well as that of RAD and KRW.
DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE RiNo BID EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The RiNo BID Board of Directors is seeking an experienced, qualified candidate with a background in special district management. The ideal candidate will have experience either in a district startup role or in supporting a district through organizational transition. The RiNo BID has invested more than $10 million over the last ten years and has an opportunity to make even bigger impact over the next decade. We are seeking a leader with a vision for the district that ensures we are economically competitive and distinctly differentiated. The RiNo brand is strong, locally, nationally and internationally – we recognize the fragility of that and require leadership that sets us on a clear trajectory for long-term success.
This role will not be without its challenges. While the BID has been renewed for another ten years, shifting priorities for a changing neighborhood means ensuring new priorities are captured in the future District’s work plan and budgets. Work to ensure these priorities are incorporated in the District’s new operating structure is underway now and by the time the new Executive Director is on board a framework for the future will be in place. It will be up to the newly hired Executive Director to expand and execute this plan in a sustainable way. We seek leadership who can help the RiNo BID Board navigate this change in a thoughtful way.
The leader we choose must be one who values communication, transparency and accountability. There is trust-building to be done with stakeholders and the new Executive Director must be committed to transparency and inclusion to ensure stakeholders of the BID are heard. We are seeking an individual who has the ability to listen to a variety of opinions and views on a host of topics, and then make informed decisions, recommendations, and action plans to meet annual and long-term strategic goals of the RiNo BID, while simultaneously ensuring the financial viability of the BID. Additionally, we are seeking an individual to be our advocate and a bridge builder, both within RiNo and beyond, by working with the City of Denver and other district and civic partners.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOCUS AREAS
The following outlines the anticipated areas of focus for the RiNo BID Executive Director:
ADMINISTRATION
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be the chief administrator of the BID, handling oversight of all the organizational policies, agreements, budgets and operating structures. Existing policies should be revisited and – where identified – new policies should be adopted to ensure operational transparency and efficiency.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will oversee all planning and budgeting, guided by community input and the RiNo BID Board of Directors. This includes developing annual budgets and work plans, as well as developing multi-year plans and priorities for the RiNo BID.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be responsible for facilitating and publicly noticing monthly board meetings, and developing board meeting agendas and materials in coordination with the RiNo BID President. They will also be responsible for ensuring accurate board meeting minutes are collected, approved and posted in a timely manner. Additionally, the Executive Director will maintain regular communications with the Board of Directors and respond in a timely manner to requests for information and/or updates on BID matters.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring RiNo BID board members are appointed according to the representation outlined in the RiNo BID work plan, and that they are providing guidance on the roles and responsibilities of their role as a special district board members. This will include identifying/recruiting new board members and ensuring all board members are formally appointed by the Mayor according to policies and protocols.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director must exhibit excellent communication and diplomacy skills to gain the confidence of stakeholders, City staff and leadership, vendors, contractors, and other community partner organizations.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director must act as a spokesperson for the BID on official statements and represent the BID at appropriate meetings, functions and ceremonies. They must also attend annual conferences, seminars, City Council meetings and other events as designed by the BID Board of Directors.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will partner with other district organizations, not limited to the Ballpark BID, the Downtown Denver Partnership/BID, the Five Points BID, Visit Denver, and other pertinent agencies
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will oversee staff and contractors that are hired by, and contracted directly to, the RiNo BID.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & FISCAL OVERSIGHT
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will oversee the financial management of the BID under the direction of the RiNo BID Board of Directors and the Treasurer, ensuring spending is within approved budget levels. This includes developing and/or modifying financial protocols to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper internal controls are in place.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be responsible for preparing the annual BID budget and work plan, in partnership with the RiNo BID Board of Directors and reflecting the priorities of stakeholders/ratepayers. Annual budgets must be submitted by September 30 of each year according to City of Denver protocols.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing the annual BID audit as required by the State of Colorado.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will work with the treasurer to oversee all invoicing, bill payment, and financial reporting, including clear and comprehensive financial statements for BID monthly meetings and annual reporting.
BID STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
- The RiNo BID Executive Director shall ensure that a contact database of RiNo BID property and business owners is kept up to date at all times.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director shall make a concerted effort to get to know RiNo BID stakeholders/ratepayers and provide opportunities for open communication.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director shall ensure that there are regular (at a minimum, quarterly) stakeholder/ratepayer meetings that provide open and transparent opportunities for those individuals to share their thoughts on the work of the BID.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director shall oversee preparation of material pertinent to communication with BID stakeholders in newsletters, via the website, and in email/printed correspondence.
BID PROGRAM OF WORK DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
- The RiNo BID Executive Director will be responsible for providing guidance to the BID Board of Directors as to the best methods to meet goals and objectives. This includes determining staffing needs, roles and responsibilities and determining when and for what contracted support is a better utilization of funds.
- The RiNo BID Executive Director shall have experience and knowledge of implementing similar programs and projects like:
- Delivering on a clean and well-maintained RiNo Art District, including identifying priority areas for service delivery, frequencies, best models to deliver and more. This includes addressing unique and challenging aspects such as resourcing mural and art repair on RiNo owned assets and/or public ROW and liaising with vacant/derelict property owners.
- Delivering on a safe RiNo Art District including working with stakeholders to determine the best delivery models and approaches to ensure everyone feels comfortable throughout the RiNo Art District.
- Guiding and managing infrastructure and placemaking investments within the District that further the RiNo identity and ensure connectivity, while also addressing issues that negatively impact RiNo stakeholders. This includes working with, and advocating to, City agencies and/or other funding partners on potential infrastructure improvements within the District.
- Business support, development and marketing to ensure existing businesses can thrive and vacant storefronts are filled. Additionally, methods of tracking economic indicators that help business owners and that allow the BID to advocate should be developed, including utilization of tools like Placer AI.
- Effective district marketing and communication strategies that increase BID stakeholder revenues, generate awareness of businesses and drive consumers to increase spend throughout the district.
- Creative programming that supports the overall brand of the RiNo Art District.
- General advocacy around all issues impacting the district now and in the future, including staying well informed on policy tools such as Common Consumption, zoning changes, planned development activity, etc.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS
The ideal candidate for the RiNo BID Executive Director position will possess the following:
- Experience leading or serving in a higher-level role with another Business Improvement District (BID)
- Experience in working with start-up and/or transitioning organizational structures
- Knowledge and familiarity of RiNo and how to successfully position it against competitive destinations
- Understanding of and experience with delivering cleaning and safety programs in a district
- Understanding of public infrastructure operations, funding, and ability to engage with potential funding partners on public right-of-way improvements within the District
- Experience developing and supporting district businesses with programs and initiatives that support economic development and business growth
- Minimum BA/BS with an emphasis in business, marketing, communications, special events and/or related work experience
- Ability to analyze, interpret and synthesize data in order to translate that information into an easy-to-understand written and oral format
- Strong organization and time management skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects successfully with minimum supervision. Being a self-starter is a desired skill for this position
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage, mentor, and lead a team
- Exceptional oral presentation skills, written and verbal communication skills, and research skills
- High attention to detail, accurate documentation, and follow-through
- Ability to be tactful, courteous, and display an appropriate public image when representing the BID
- Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the unique needs of the BID. It is anticipated that work hours will vary and may require evenings and weekends at times.
UNIQUE TRAITS
The RiNo BID Board of Directors are looking to hire a candidate that can demonstrate the following in their application and/or interview:
- Originality – The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
- Fluency of Ideas – The ability to come up with several ideas about a topic (the number of ideas important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
- Deductive Reasoning – The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Strategic and Critical Thinking – Using strategic planning and evaluation skills to develop successful strategies and tactics.
COMPENSATION
The estimated range for this role is between $125,000 to $150,000 depending on experience. A benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance as well as retirement benefits will also be included.
TO APPLY
For confidential consideration please submit resume and cover letter to Jamie Giellis at jamie@becentro.com. For more information: 303-345-8285.
