Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

1d • $93,566 - $118,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager will directly report to the Director of Business Attraction. The primary purpose of this position is to align staff and programs around a cohesive strategy that will enhance and support the city's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on promoting an environment fostering wealth creation for underrepresented populations. This work will also include monitoring outcome targets, setting specific and quantifiable metrics, and establishing implementation tactics for delivering the desired outcomes. It will also oversee the creation of an innovation hub concept within the CIty and County of Denver.

Requirements

• A strong commitment to public service.
• Skilled to work at all levels of government and business, particularly with business services providers and small, start-up, and second stage (scaleup) businesses.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Economics, Marketing/Communications type of field.
• Experience with progressively responsible business development program experience.
• Understand economic principles and technology based economic development practices in a wide variety of industry sectors.
• Leadership and managerial experience leading a results-orientated team.
• Ability to coordinate and align a highly professional, diversely talented staff.
• Experience working with and serving diverse communities in the Denver community.
• Familiarity of leading an RFP process.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Discern seed, angel and venture investment principles and the ability to evaluate opportunities through these lenses.
• Experience with public and private business financing programs.
• Recognize business incubation and acceleration models and details of how these programs are run.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
• Seven (7) years’ experience performing full performance professional level duties within a specialized, functional area. (This does not include clerical experience.)
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Academics, technology and innovation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Shape the overall development of innovation initiatives, including policy development (best practices research) and small business and start-up program creation and project management.
• Lead strategic relationship building with partners in the innovation and start-up community (universities and colleges, R&D facilities, industry, service providers, business and start-up community, city agencies, venture capital firms, etc.).
• Lead the development of an innovation "road map" that will identify a strategy for enhancement and promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a DEDO priority.
• Provide full lifecycle of support and technical assistance to business clients and community partners.
• Coordinate, manage and deliver DEDO’s innovation and entrepreneurial related programs and initiatives.
• Convene the innovation and entrepreneurial community for meaningful dialogue, collaboration and strategic planning.
• Supervise a team of 1-2 staff assigned to this work area that manage Park Hill Innovation Hub and a variety of programs.
• Seek sustainable sources of funding for continued growth and development of programming from government, foundational or private sector grants or private funding
• Lead/Manage assigned business support programs/policies/initiatives and associated compliance and reporting.
• Administrative duties as needed including SalesForce management, contract oversight, grant funded programs, vendor relationships, monthly and quarterly reporting on metrics
• Programming and engagement: Event planning and oversight.
• Be active in the community by attending relevant events during (and sometimes after) business hours including Colorado Startup Week.
• Be involved representing DEDO with the local innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Assist as needed with agency project deadlines and reports with a team-based approach.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
• Flexible spending account option specifically for parking
• City-sponsored RTD EcoPass

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager