Join us in shaping the future of Commerce City! We are excited to announce the launch of our new Department of Economic & Cultural Vitality and are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director to spearhead initiatives that foster a thriving local economy and enhance community engagement.

In this crucial role, you will provide strategic leadership in economic development, marketing, and special events, while also working to attract and retain businesses that contribute to our vibrant community. Your insights and innovative programming will help establish Commerce City as an exceptional place to live, work, and visit, all while aligning with our long-term vision and economic objectives.

The Director will collaborate with various departments, community stakeholders, and regional partners to promote integrated systems thinking and drive sustainable, inclusive growth. Through inclusive outreach and innovative programs, you will ensure our efforts toward economic and community vitality reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of residents and businesses.

Additionally, the Director will serve as a key advisor to city leadership on policies and strategies that enhance Commerce City’s economic competitiveness and community well-being.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and direction for economic development, community relations, marketing, and special events.
Develop and implement long-range plans to attract, retain, and expand businesses within Commerce City.
Ensure consistent and timely execution of departmental initiatives, balancing operational follow-through with strategic oversight.
Apply systems-level thinking to align city operations with the needs of the business community and economic development partners.
Oversee the creation and execution of marketing campaigns that promote the city’s assets, programs, and initiatives.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff across multiple functional areas.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to economic development and public engagement.
Promote Commerce City as a destination for tourism, investment and cultural experiences.
Lead public outreach and communication strategies to ensure transparency and community involvement.
Develop metrics and performance indicators to evaluate the impact of programs and initiatives.
Facilitate public-private partnerships that advance community and economic goals.
Lead efforts to enhance the city’s brand identity and visibility at the regional and national levels.
Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders, developers, community organizations, and regional economic partners.
Serve as the city’s primary liaison to chambers of commerce, economic development councils, and industry groups.
Direct the planning and execution of city-sponsored events that foster community pride and engagement.
Collaborate with internal departments to align economic and community initiatives with citywide goals.
Monitor and analyze economic trends, market conditions, and demographic data to inform policy and program development.
Identify and pursue grant opportunities and alternative funding sources to support economic and community initiatives.
Lead the development and implementation of policies that support equitable economic growth and inclusive community engagement.
Represent the city at public meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events.
Prepare and deliver presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, and community groups.
Oversee the development and management of departmental budgets and ensure fiscal responsibility.
Coordinate with planning and development services to support strategic land use and redevelopment efforts.
Support workforce development initiatives in collaboration with educational institutions and employers.
Manage contracts and agreements with consultants, vendors, and service providers.
Respond to inquiries and concerns from residents, businesses, and stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
Coordinate crisis communication and community response efforts during emergencies or major events.
Stay informed of best practices and emerging trends in economic development and community engagement.
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department.
Support the City Manager’s Office with special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
Serve as a member of the city’s leadership team, contributing to organization-wide planning and decision-making.
Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Duties
The Director provides direct supervision and leadership to a multidisciplinary team responsible for economic development, community relations, marketing, and special events. This role includes hiring, training, evaluating, and mentoring staff to ensure high performance and professional growth. The Director establishes clear goals and expectations, conducts regular performance reviews, and fosters a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Additionally, the position is responsible for managing workload distribution, resolving personnel issues, and ensuring alignment with organizational values and strategic priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in economic development, public administration, urban planning, marketing, communications, or a related field is required. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, community engagement, or public sector leadership is required, including at least three years in a supervisory or management role. Must possess a valid drivers license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of
of economic development principles, practices, and tools, including business attraction, retention, and redevelopment strategies.
community engagement, public relations, and inclusive outreach methodologies.
marketing, branding, and communications, including digital and traditional media strategies.
municipal government operations, budgeting, and policy development.
land use planning, zoning, and urban development processes.
using data visualization tools, CRM systems, and marketing platforms.

Skill in
building and maintaining effective partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and community groups.
project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation development.
problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
conflict resolution, negotiation, and consensus-building.

Ability to
navigate politically sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion.
analyze complex economic, demographic, and market data to inform strategic decisions.
lead and manage multidisciplinary teams with diverse responsibilities and backgrounds.
foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
work independently and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
represent the city with credibility, integrity, and enthusiasm in a variety of public and professional settings.
Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities
Driving: May need to drive a City or personal vehicle in the normal course of business
Office Equipment: Daily use of computer, keyboard, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, phone (desk and cell). Daily use of software programs including databases specialized in code enforcement, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Other Equipment: None
Physical Activities: Moderate physical activity that may include walking, sitting, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying. Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement
Lifting: Frequently lifts, carries, and exerts up to 25 pounds
Vision and Hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents; must be able to answer telephones, participate in conversations with others
Exposure to Environmental Conditions: Will be exposed to extreme heat, cold, dry, wet, odors, smoke, loud noises, vibrations, dust or intense light. May be exposed to chemicals including cleaners, solvents, paints and other potentially toxic agents, electrical currents, noxious plants, aggressive animals and/or people.
Schedule: Position generally scheduled Monday - Friday; occasionally weekend work. May require attendance at evening meetings, council sessions or after-hour events. May require attendance at off-site meetings.
Additional Working Conditions: May be exposed to work settings that vary in convenience and comfort. May be required to visit external, non-city work sites with the City having limited control over the work environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with disabilities for the essential functions of the job.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications. Employees are accountable for all duties associated with this position.
The City of Commerce City is an equal opportunity employer.