Economic Development Director and LRA Executive 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 an