Summary
Description
Job Description Summary:
Under general supervision of the Economic Vitality Manager, the Economic Vitality Program Manager manages programs that support an inclusive, healthy, accessible, and resilient economy that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity in alignment with the City of Boulder Economic Vitality Strategy, Citywide Strategic Plan, Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework, and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. This position plans, manages, coordinates, and promotes programs to support business retention and other economic vitality strategies; serves as a primary point of contact for businesses; supports business and economic resilience; works with colleagues and community partners to support a collaborative, welcoming, and resource-rich business climate; and monitors, analyzes, and reports on business, industry, and economic trends.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES
Program Management
- Collaborates with the Economic Vitality Manager to develop and implement strategic plans, annual budgets, and workplans for the Office of Economic Vitality. Monitors, evaluates and reports program expenses and outcomes.
- Administers agreements with the City’s economic vitality partners and grant agreements with the State of Colorado to fund the Boulder Small Business Development Center (Boulder SBDC).
Business Retention and Expansion
- Serves as a primary point of contact for businesses, responding to inquiries from community members and businesses and providing information, assistance with requests or concerns, and connections to resources.
- Provides information and assistance to businesses considering relocation or expansion in Boulder, working in collaboration with other departments and local, regional, and state economic development partners.
- Meets with businesses of all sizes to build relationships, increase awareness of resources available, and help address any issues or concerns.
- Represents the City at business events and meetings to build relationships with the business community, learn about business opportunities and challenges, and share information about available resources. May serve on boards of nonprofit organizations that serve businesses or support economic vitality.
- Administers the City’s business incentive programs to encourage business expansion and retention. Communicates directly with applicants; reviews and analyzes applications; drafts agreements and administers incentive payments; and maintains program dashboard and prepares reports. Researches and makes recommendations for program enhancements.
- Manages the city’s participation in the Boulder Microloan Program. Promotes the program and monitors and reports on portfolio performance.
- Creates and manages content on city website related to business and economic vitality. Prepares promotional materials, reports, news releases, and other written communications and make presentations to Boulder City Council and others.
Business and Economic Resilience
- Leads the development and implementation of programs to foster business and economic resilience.
- Participates in resilience initiatives and coordinates with the Boulder Office of Disaster Management and internal and external partners to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions, including natural disasters and large-scale emergencies, that impact businesses and the local economy.
Economic Vitality Partnerships
- Represents the City at business, industry and economic development meetings.
- As directed by the Economic Vitality Manager, leads the City’s participation in local, regional, and state economic initiatives to foster a collaborative and supportive business environment that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity for all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, or socioeconomic status.
Economic Research
- Conducts or coordinates research activities to monitor business, industry, and economic trends in collaboration with internal and external partners. Creates and maintains economic vitality dashboards and reports.
- Leads or directs the development of research instruments, data analysis, recommendations, reports, and presentations.
Other
- Responsible for handling confidential, personal identifying information, and other sensitive material.
- Demonstrates leadership by making and supporting decisions that reflect city values and goals.
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies, participating in professional training and development, and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to build collaborative relationships.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of business, marketing, and economic principles.
- Ability to demonstrate research, analytical, organization, problem-solving and time management skills.
- Ability to effectively work independently with minimal supervision and in a collaborative team environment, to assume responsibility, to prioritize and resolve problems, to work well under pressure, and to pay close attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of and experience with computers and applications including Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe Acrobat, email, and Internet.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
- Skill in preparing clear and effective correspondence, webpages, proposals, reports, presentations, and other written communications.
- Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skill in the use of technology to conduct economic and marketing research.
- Economic Development coursework or certification (CEcD or other).
- Five (5) or more years of increasingly responsible and relevant experience in a government or private industry environment.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, economics, economic development, planning, public administration, or related field from an accredited college or university; or equivalent of eight (8) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
- Three (3) years of relevant experience in a government or private industry environment.
SUPERVISION
Supervision Received: Economic Vitality Manager
Supervision Exercised: None
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Physical and Mental Effort: Exposure to periods of high activity and stress under demanding conditions.
- Work Environment: Work is customarily sedentary office work primarily performed indoors and includes attending business networking events which are often held after hours. Occasional evenings and weekends are required. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations. The position requires communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies. Core work hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm with regular telework work allowed up to three (3) days per week.
Additional Job Description:
Last Updated: February 2025
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.
