Economic Development Manager - Housing Manager

Job Description

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job-someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Economic Development Manager - Housing Manager is a City leader who serves as a key member of the Division Manager Leadership Team translating the City’s strategic plan into action through development of policies, leadership, care of people, innovation, and resource allocation and management. The position manages department activities in fulfillment of the City’s Mission Statement, Vision and Values.
The Economic Development - Housing Manager contributes greatly to the vision and mission through a combination of direct responsibilities, program administration, collaboration, special projects and partnerships throughout the community. This work involves the creation and implementation of holistic business and industry-based strategies, place-based strategies and people-based strategies.

This position is primarily responsible for managing targeted industry recruitment and retention, housing initiatives, childcare initiatives, small business support services, the City’s Community Development Block Grant allocations, the City’s Private Activity Bond allocations, workforce development, and retail strategy and support services. In addition, this position leads the Division in business, financial institutions, and developer relationship building to advance the City Strategic Plan. The responsibilities require frequent coordination with senior management of other City departments, elected officials, housing authorities, non-profits advocacy groups, high-level external contacts such as business and community leaders, as well as state, local, and national industry groups to affect legislative changes that encourage economic growth and opportunity.

The position requires the ability to manage multiple high-level staff, projects and activities; a high level of organizational and interpersonal skills; excellent communication and outreach skills; strong technical skills in business development and land redevelopment, and the ability to identify a variety of business resources. The position interacts with local businesses and resident groups within the community, developers, City, State, and regional staff members and business organizations. The environment in which this position operates is complex, highly political, fast-moving and always evolving, requiring a high-level of independence of action and judgement.

The Economic Development - Housing Manager performs work with wide latitude for independent judgment and action, and the Human Resources Director reviews work through conferences, reports, and success of the assigned programs and activities.

City leaders must embody the values of the City organization as defined by SPIRIT in decision-making and actions and strive to develop employees and a work environment that reflects these organizational values. Developing strong relationships with collaboration as a strong mindset, and employee engagement with respect and appreciation as a focus. City values are articulated through the acronym of SPIRIT which defines how we work at the City of Westminster creating a culture of Service, People, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must attach a cover letter and resume (maximum of two pages for each document) to the online application at the time of submittal. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

This position is an at-will position as described in the Personnel Policies and Rules of the City of Westminster, Colorado.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Community Services Department, which attracts, plans, buildings, preserves and retains an attractive and high-quality living and working environment by facilitating job creation, balanced housing, redevelopment, sustainability, appropriate land use and infrastructure decisions ensuring that the community is developed in a safe, aesthetically pleasing and maintainable manner.
This leadership position plays a vital role on the city-wide management team, providing critical input, as it relates to the City strategic plan. All management team members are expected to champion the City Mission, Vision and Values.

Every Division Manager is accountable to:

• Value diversity through strategic recruitment and promotions
• Demonstrate a cultural awareness for differences; display sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission, vision and values
• Exhibit pride in self, the Department, the City, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Executive-level managers, including all Division Managers, serve at the will of the City Manager, and are accountable to:

• Embrace public service to the community and demonstrate a global perspective in decisions
• Communicate and collaborate with City Manager’s Office, Executive Leadership Team, and City Management Team members to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high-performing organization
• Effectively participate on the Department Director/Division Manager Leadership Team by demonstrating strategic and systemic problem-solving skills; collaboration and cooperation are expectations required of City leadership
• Support the City Council’s goals and Strategic Plan while working with the City Manager to explain City leadership’s viewpoint
• Support and promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusivity (J, D, E and I) goals
• Represent the City and Department and Division in a professional manner and positive light
• Develop performance measures based on critical operational outcomes in an effort to meet City strategic objectives
• Develop policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service and prudent stewardship of City revenues
• Respond to contentious issues in a timely manner that reflects and supports City management philosophy and decisions
• Support and encourage ongoing employee development through City training, continuing education, and job-specific training
• Model and encourage employees to demonstrate ownership in support of the City by fostering a collegial and supportive work environment
• Provide a picture of the City’s vision to departmental employees
• Champion City initiatives within the department
• Help employees understand their part in meeting City-wide strategic goals
• Encourage department employees to participate in partnerships and collaborative efforts throughout the organization
• Coach and mentor employees within the department
• Have a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of all elements of their division budget
• Participate in a department management team that supports the goals and objective on ongoing learning and employee development

Leadership/Supervisory - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Support and promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusivity (JDE&I) goals
• Act swiftly to encourage behavior throughout the division is aligned with SPIRIT values
  • Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive
• Foster an environment of community engagement
  • Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
  • Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
  • Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
  • Help employees see the value of developing their skills, and assist them in eliminating barriers to their development; encourage employees to step outside of their comfort zone to develop their skills
  • Provide meaningful, timely employee feedback and appraisals, and effectively address employee performance problems
  • Effectively supervise, mentor, and motivate in a team environment

• Develop relationships with colleagues which encourage constructive feedback and new ways to look at projects, policies, service delivery, etc.

Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Model communication, collaboration and team approaches for the department and organization
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
• Be effective in providing constructive feedback and even a challenging different viewpoint
• Develop a clear plan to set priorities which support City mission, vision and strategic plan

Job Specific - The employee in this position is accountable to the following Job Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and techniques of effective management and public administration with respect to personnel, budget and overall management concepts
  
• Rules and regulations of the department and the City, including the charter, municipal code of ordinances, and other adopted codes and plans in effect, particularly those related to land development
  
• Current literature, research, and developments in the fields of affordable housing, community economic development and real estate development
  
• Sustainability principles covering social equity, economic resilience, and environmental impacts
  

• Foster cooperative working relationships among Division staff members and emphasize positive customer relations approaches with residents, vendors/suppliers, and those conducting business with the City
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with civic groups, the public, elected officials, and all City employees
• Provide effective oversight and leadership, and to plan, assign, and efficiently direct the work of a number of subordinates, and programs with the department in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale
• Demonstrate significant financial acumen and analytical skills
• Possesses the skills of a high functioning Leader
  • Reinforcing and supporting Citywide values, strategies, policies, and procedures as well as broad organizational development initiatives and efforts
  • Communicating in an effective and professional manner with the City Council, Community and City staff
  • Ensuring credibility by providing timely and accurate feedback to leadership and being accountable for meeting goals and objectives
• Demonstrates creativity and passion for innovation; develops and facilitates innovative solutions to achieve strategic organizational goals
  • Demonstrating original thinking and creativity
  • Meeting challenges with resourcefulness and creative approaches and ideas
  • Developing functional objectives in line with organizational objectives
  • Taking calculated risks to accomplish goals
  • Possessing skills that build support, commitment, and overcome resistance
  • Partnering with the City Manager’s Office, Executive Leadership Team and other Division Managers in achieving sustainability goals through new innovative solutions
• Able to analyze problems and exercise sound judgment and arrive at logical, valid conclusions
  
• Express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing on both administrative and technical subjects
  
• Proficiently use advanced skill in computer technology applications including Microsoft Office products, City Works and related applications
  
• Evaluate complex sets of data and circumstances from an overall perspective and formulate effective plans, procedures and programs
  
• Facilitate and mediate conflict resolution between individuals and within work groups
  
• Transform conceptual assignments into finished products that meet desired objectives
  
• Meet deadlines while effectively handling multiple tasks
  
• Maintain confidentiality
  
• Work independently
  
  

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks Division-level management duties:

• Support Director and collaborate with the departmental management team, as well as the City Manager’s Office and other departments, to develop solutions that support a high performing organization and fulfillment of the City’s mission statement
• Manage division personnel and operations in a manner to meet the department’s and City’s strategic plans and goals
• Represent the City and the Community Services Department in a professional manner and positive light
• Embody the City’s SPIRIT values in all interactions and discussions with residents, businesses, visitors and throughout the organization
• A high degree of analytic ability and inductive thinking is required to devise new, non-standard approach to highly intricate, technically complex problems
• Use independent judgement to evaluate new approaches to problem solving, and assess changing facts or conditions
• Communicate using considerable tact, discretion and persuasion in obtaining the cooperation of others and requiring the handling of delicate relationships and complex situations
• Develop and maintain ongoing external relationships involving difficult formal negotiations which requires a well-developed sense of timing, strategy and may involve detailed explanation and interpretation of policies, rules and regulations
• Manage extremely delicate and sensitive relationships within complex situations
• Develop policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service and stewardship of City resources
• Handle contentious issues in a timely manner that reflects and supports City management philosophy and decisions
• Models and encourages employees to demonstrate ownership and support of the City by fostering a collegial and positive work environment

Staff management and development duties:

• Demonstrates Leadership Characteristics
• Promotes collaborative, systems thinking
• Demonstrates long-term perspective through coaching, cross-training and development of employees to build organizational resiliency
• Supervises personnel and takes necessary actions to ensure proper personnel administration throughout the division
• Directs allocation of resources for maximum efficiency
• Provides for a comprehensive program of professional training and development
• Provides quality services to City departments, employees and citizens
• Focuses on organizational development with the continued emphasis on the development of a ‘healthy’ employee community
• Keeps informed as to personnel, property, and operations by observation, reports and management input and initiates actions to improve operations when appropriate

Administrative and operational management duties:

• Provides day-to-day managerial decisions on problems and issues that arise within the division, ensures adherence to budget and operational plans, and promotes cooperation on common projects and functions within the Community Services Department
• Prepares reports and work programs
• Maintains and promotes departmental relations, public outreach and engagement for housing advocacy and business development

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Attends regular evening City Council meetings and study sessions; may attend evening or weekend community meetings.Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required :

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with major coursework in public administration, business administration, economic development, economics, real estate development, or a closely related field
• Seven (7) or more years of senior management and administrative experience and proven track record of success in economic development, housing, small business development, redevelopment, or closely related field

Preferred :

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, economics, real estate development,or a closely related field
  • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) professional
  • Experience with the HUD IDIS system

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements
Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:

• Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
• Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies
• Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing and/or pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting and pushing and/or pulling of up to 25 pounds with dollies and carts

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is generally performed indoors and is primarily office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies.
Required Materials and Equipment
General office equipment including personal computers, telephone, cellular phone, copy machine and calculator. May operate a motor vehicle to visit project sites.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, driver license record, and education verification
• Drug screen
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States

The City of Westminster, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health and Dental
• Flexible Spending
• Pension/Retirement Plans
• Term Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Survivor Benefits
• Wellness Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, on the job injury, and administrative reasons
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

For a more detailed overview of our Exempt and Administrative Officer benefit package:
Benefit Package

The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system. In lieu of Social Security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.

401(a) Contribution Rates:
Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11.5% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 12% of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule

• Less than 3 years - 0%
• 3 to 4 years - 60%
• 4 to 5 years - 80%
• Over 5 years - 100%
• For employees age 55 and older, the employer contributions are 100% vested

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

Closing Date/Time: 11/9/2026 8:30 AM Mountain