Director Downtown Environment

Downtown Denver Partnership•Denver, CO

11d•$115,000 - $135,000

About The Position

The Director of Beautification & Public Realm Care leads public realm operations, service provider contracts, and field teams across the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District. The role focuses on making downtown clean, beautiful, welcoming, and well maintained for workers, residents, businesses, and visitors. It combines operational leadership with expertise in urban planning and the management of public spaces and assets. The Director executes operations strategy and workplans, manages budgets and contracts, oversees district services and concurrent projects, and builds working relationships with City and County of Denver agencies, property owners, businesses, residents, and community partners. The position translates organizational strategy into measurable results, supports the Downtown Environment leadership team, and contributes to board and committee planning, budgeting, and reporting. The work is guided by the Downtown Area Plan and prioritizes beautification and the public realm.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, construction management, or a related field.
7–12+ years of progressive experience, including leadership experience, in urban planning, downtown or district management, public realm operations, municipal or nonprofit management, or a related field.
Experience with budget responsibility and managing and overseeing service contracts and vendors, including performance monitoring and accountability.
Strong external-facing relationship management skills and experience working with government agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders.
Ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Strategic planning and execution experience, including translating strategy into measurable outcomes.
Staff management experience, including coaching, developing, and evaluating teams.
Strong project and asset management skills and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, publicly visible environment.
Excellent public presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to boards, public officials, and community groups.
Economic and community development mindset and commitment to downtown Denver and the people who live, work, and visit there.
Ability to work in the field in all weather conditions and occasionally work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to support events and urgent operational needs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in local government and/or nonprofit organizations.
Familiarity with business improvement districts, public-private partnerships, or similar entities.

Responsibilities

Apply landscape architecture and urban planning expertise to public realm, streetscape, mobility, and placemaking priorities.
Execute the operations strategy, annual workplan, and performance goals in alignment with the Partnership’s strategic work plan and the DDBID operating plan.
Define, track, and report key performance indicators for downtown cleanliness, activation, and public realm quality.
Anticipate changing downtown conditions and recommend adjustments to services, staffing, and investment.
Build a robust asset management process to support the longevity of the downtown public realm.
Oversee daily operations of public realm programs, including cleaning and maintenance, landscaping and beautification, seasonal lighting, and other district services.
Manage concurrent projects and field priorities from planning through delivery, ensuring timely, on-budget, high-quality completion.
Monitor field conditions and coordinate rapid responses to maintenance and infrastructure issues across the district.
Coordinate with planning, events, marketing, communications, and advocacy colleagues to align operations with broader initiatives.
Develop, manage, and monitor the Downtown Environment operating budget, including variance analysis, forecasting, and fiscal accountability.
Lead procurement and manage service provider and vendor contracts, including scopes of work, performance standards, invoicing, renewals, and corrective action.
Hold contractors, vendors, and internal teams accountable to KPIs and service levels through inspections, performance reviews, and reporting.
Identify cost efficiencies and alternative service delivery models that improve the long-term value of district investments.
Administer and ensure compliance with intergovernmental agreements, licenses, permits, and other obligations with the City and County of Denver and public partners.
Assess operational and contracted-service risks, insurance, and liability considerations.
Liaise with City and County of Denver agencies to coordinate services and resolve issues in the downtown core.
Build relationships with property owners, businesses, residents, nonprofits, community partners, and DDBID Enterprise clients, responding to operational concerns and demonstrating the value of district services.
Influence public- and private-sector partners and decision makers to advance shared downtown outcomes.
Lead, coach, and develop operations staff and foster a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented team culture; maintain a hand-in-hand relationship with the Safety Director and team.
Set expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and support direct reports’ professional growth.
Ensure staff and contracted teams are trained, equipped, and supported to work safely and effectively in the field.
Coordinate with DDP’s Planning and Community Impact and Strategic Programs and Activations teams.
Partner with Alignment leadership on strategy, budgets, and priorities, and provide updates on operational performance, risks, and opportunities.
Prepare and present reports, analysis, and recommendations to the Board, committees, and other governing bodies.
Support DDBID Board and committee processes, including the operating plan, budget, and annual reporting requirements.