Summary
Description
About Us
Cities are built by people. The creators of industry, makers of place. Visionaries—for what’s next.
At the Downtown Denver Partnership, we are building with vision.
We believe the horizon of a great city is always growing, always improving. We believe our city is only as strong as the center. And we know that a thriving, strategic advancement only happens when every voice steps up to the mic. When access allows for unbridled opportunity.
To make the most of this opportunity, to make meaningful impact, we must plan with purpose. With a bias for action, we invest for tomorrow and execute for today, creating an impactful culture and business community that will support each and every citizen, giving us all a seat at the table.
Building our center city, making our place.
About the Center for Economic Development and Planning at the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership’s Center for Economic Development and Planning designs and drives market-based strategies that shape the economic and social vitality of our center city. Our work spans job and investment growth, top-notch research and market analysis and strategic planning across industry sectors, from large employers to small businesses, and expands holistically into long-range planning, mobility, housing and retail — all of which are vital to building a prosperous downtown.
Fundamental to this work is our relationship-driven approach to achieve measurable outcomes. The Partnership convenes, connects, and collaborates with members, volunteers, and external partners. In the work of economic development, this includes the City and County of Denver’s Department of Economic Development and Opportunity, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Denver EDC, the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and private sector brokers, lenders, property owners and business owners. In addition, we align with a long list of business and civic-minded organizations throughout the Denver, recognizing the importance of connecting Downtown with the city as a whole.
Furthermore, the Center for Economic Development and Planning develops policies, public-private partnerships and financial solutions to address Downtown’s most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities for growth. With adept strategic and transactional focus, this Center works with the private and public sector to curate and activate great projects that achieve Downtown Area Plan goals.
About the Position
The Executive Vice President of Economic Development and Real Estate is a key executive leadership position at the Downtown Denver Partnership responsible for shaping and executing a strategy to drive investment, job growth and business vitality in Denver’s urban core. In tandem with the Senior Vice President of Planning and Community Impact, these two leaders direct the Downtown Denver Partnership Center for Economic Development and Planning, a multi-disciplinary approach to serving the downtown business, development and investment communities, and driving economic and community benefit.
This executive leader will build an expert team over time, beginning with one to two new hires and leveraging internal and external resources. The ideal candidate will leverage a deep understanding of real estate development and finance, deal flow, investment and lender dynamics, capital markets, P3s and market activation to attract and retain jobs, residents and businesses downtown.
Business Recruitment & Development
- Cultivates and maintains trusted relationships with developers, brokers, employers, and investors to attract new high-quality jobs, retailers, housing, and amenities to Downtown Denver.
- Asserts influential leadership to market Downtown Denver as a premier place to do business, creating and implementing proactive recruitment strategies on a national and international scale.
- Collaborates with regional partners on a balanced approach.
Business Retention & Expansion
- Proactively engages with Downtown employers, building owners, and retailers to identify opportunities for growth, retention, and reinvestment.
- Identifies business challenges and facilitates solutions with other Partnership functions and/or public sector partners.
- Collaborates with property owners, developers, and the brokerage community to understand portfolio needs, manage risk of attrition, and connect businesses to Partnership programs and city resources.
Real Estate Development & Finance
- Serves as a connector between the public and private sectors to move projects from concept to completion. Partners with developers, brokers, and city agencies to break barriers, analyze market potential, coordinate incentive negotiations, and facilitate relationships that accelerate project delivery.
- Understands complex public, private and P3 deal structures and provides advisement to the development community related to the use of tools at the federal, state and local level like tax credits, tax abatements, TIF, etc.
- Cultivates the banking, investment and lending community to support deals in Downtown. Identifies opportunities for private equity, institutional lenders, REITs, VC, Family Offices and other resources to invest.
- Develops creative programs, often in partnership with public agencies, to incentivize deals.
- With the SVP of Planning and Community Impact, engages in strategic planning and project curation, identifying opportunity sites, envisioning highest and best use in line with the Downtown Area Plan, analyzing feasibility and recruiting development interest.
- Monitors deal flow and project pipelines to ensure alignment with broader downtown goals and strategies.
Business Policy
- Supported by the External Affairs team, identify trends, best practices, and policy recommendations related to business issues
- In partnership with the External Affairs team, serves as the voice of the Partnership related to Economic Development-related public policy interests at the local, state and national level.
Research & Market Activation
- Works with DDP research staff to maintain real-time relevant market data, provides thoughtful trend analysis and produce regular reports and generate thought-leader economic content on behalf of the Partnership.
- Utilizes data, insights, and relationship intelligence to anticipate market shifts, shape policy, and activate opportunities within the real estate pipeline.
Marketing, Communications & Representation
- Carries the brand and voice of the Partnership across a variety of audiences; serves as a spokesperson and advocate for downtown’s economic vitality.
- Develops marketing and communications strategies and campaigns, with support from the Partnership Marketing and Communications team, to target business audiences.
- Delivers presentations and represents the Partnership to civic, business, and community audiences to advance understanding of economic trends and opportunities.
Member & Stakeholder Engagement
- Leads and expands participation in Partnership committees and task forces focused on economic development, real estate, and business attraction.
- Supports the broader Civic Engagement team by contributing economic development content and strategic insights to member events, briefings, and communications.
- Serves as a visible connector and trusted resource to members, reinforcing the Partnership’s role as the go-to for Downtown information and influence.
Senior Executive Leadership and Organization-Wide Responsibilities
- Members of the Executive Governance Team are top advisors to the CEO and carry additional organization-wide responsibilities. This includes input on budgets, personnel and internal operations, as well as political and work-plan related strategies.
- All members of the Governance committee maintain the “big picture” perspective, and all contribute to the organization’s mission, goals and fiscal continuity.
- Senior executives are also expected to support the entire Partnership team, offering guidance and encouraging cross-departmental collaboration.
- All Senior executives should possess a strong understanding of fundraising, non-profit budget management and compliance.
About You
You are a strategic and relationship-driven leader who thrives at the intersection of vision and execution. You understand how cities grow, how markets move, and how relationships power both. You are energized by connecting people and ideas to shape places and outcomes. You must have the capacity to work with diverse stakeholder groups including employers, developers, brokers, retailers, public agencies, and government officials. You should possess a deep commitment to instilling practices and a culture that reflects The Downtown Denver Partnership. Additionally, you bring the following:
- 10+ years of economic development and/or related business experience, demonstrating expertise in real estate development and finance, deal flow, investment and lender dynamics, capital markets, P3s and market activation strategies.
- A proven ability to initiate, cultivate, and sustain relationships with a diverse range of partners — including employers, developers, brokers, retailers, and government officials.
- Strong business, political and analytical acumen, with instincts for negotiation and alignment.
- Demonstrated success in business retention, recruitment, and talent attraction strategies.
- Exceptional communication and project management skills, with a proactive approach to timelines, budgets, and outcomes.
- An entrepreneurial and results-oriented mindset driven by action, urgency and “getting things done.”
- Leading with a spirit that is grounded in collaboration and civic purpose.
- The ability to succeed in a distinct and dynamic culture.
- Ability to easily network and establish rapport and connections with individuals and groups.
- A commitment to city-building and an enthusiasm for shaping Denver’s next chapter.
- Bachelor’s Degree (higher preferred) in business, economics, marketing, urban planning, or equivalent experience.
- Proficiency in software programs that facilitate strong CRM, presentation creation, information management.
- Flexibility to work varied hours for events and deadlines.
What We Offer
- Expected base salary range $180,000 – $220,000
- Bonus Eligibility
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Employer paid Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Relocation Assistance
- Transportation Benefits
- Personal and Professional Development
All Partnership team members share responsibility for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programs and initiatives. Downtown Denver Partnership provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. In addition to federal law requirements, Downtown Denver Partnership complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Downtown Denver Partnership will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants for failing to disclose wage rate history in accordance with applicable law.
Downtown Denver Partnership expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Downtown Denver Partnership employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
