Neighborhood and Business Districts Manager

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Economic Development works to shape a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving economy by increasing access to economic opportunities, reducing racial inequities, and supporting community-centered growth. We are seeking a forward-thinking, strategic, and outcomes-focused Neighborhoods and Business Districts Manager to advance a strategic shift in how the City makes investments and drives economic impact for neighborhood districts. This role sets citywide strategy, strengthens operational systems, directs district-level and cross-district investments, and develops timely policy solutions that respond to Seattle’s changing economic landscape. In this role, you will lead the Business Districts team that sits at a unique intersection of economic development, policy, district investment, budget strategy, and cross-departmental collaboration. It is a high-impact role for a leader who envisions the big picture, establishes data-driven goals to meet City priorities, operates cross-departmentally and across districts, and is a proactive, leading collaborator to drive sustained, long-term economic outcomes for Seattle’s business districts and local economy.

Requirements

Progressively responsible experience and skills in: Team and people management
Strategy development, implementation, and evaluation in economic development and/or business districts
Policy development and implementation
Project management and adoption of organizational systems and tools
Program management, including scoping, scenario development, planning, execution, and evaluation
Budget management, including forecasting, compliance, and investment modeling
Cross-department collaboration and partner engagement with measurable outcomes
KPI and goal development and performance tracking
Managing complex operational dynamics and resolving conflicts across stakeholders
Communicating effectively with executive stakeholders and diverse external partners
Ability to lead an organizational pivot and establish new structures and systems using change management techniques and tools.
Center the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) as a guiding principle when shaping strategy, evaluating district conditions, and designing investment and policy frameworks
Build trust, foster relationships, and navigate complex community and political dynamics with maturity, diplomacy, and cultural humility
Identify and leverage City policy and operational tools to influence district outcomes
Synthesize data, district insights, City priorities, and research into actionable strategy
Plan and facilitate decision-making among City leadership and partners
Balance long-term strategic planning with short-term operational needs
Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams)
Databases, survey tools, CRM systems, and project management platforms

Responsibilities

Develop Seattle’s 2027 Business District Strategy based on economic research, citywide priorities, and analysis of district conditions.
Lead the Business Improvement Area (BIA) formation initiative, including driving implementation and achieving milestones, establishing readiness and feasibility, investment approaches, governance, strategic frameworks, and stakeholder participation.
Rebuild team operations to establish project management systems, KPI tracking, assignment frameworks, and district investment analysis.
Lead Team and Talent Management: Supervise up to six staff across policy, advocacy, advisory, and program areas. Provide strategic assignments, performance management, coaching, and workflow leadership. Support recruitment efforts and ensure operational alignment across the team.
Develop and Implement Business District Strategies: Use landscape analyses, needs assessments, and measurable indicators to identify opportunities and challenges across districts. Build strategic frameworks, produce recommendations and scenarios, and lead implementation planning. Transition the team from a grant-focused operating model to a comprehensive district investment and partnership approach including policy assessment and actions, facilitating multi-department collaborations, and special initiatives.
Lead Business Improvement Area (BIA) Strategy: Direct BIA exploration, formation, and growth efforts, including policy development and legislative coordination to unlock greater BIA potential to stimulate economic growth in business districts. Strengthen the City’s BIA landscape and network by establishing and driving key strategic priorities across BIAs that intersect with the City’s priorities. Internally, establish operational standards to measure and manage BIA partnerships, workflows, and outcomes, and set technical standards for staff development.
Oversee Programs, Contracts, and Fiscal Management: Manage team budgets, district investment strategies, forecasting, compliance, and financial reporting. Oversee contract management systems and personally manage key contracts and consultants. Ensure district projects align with strategy, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
Cross-Departmental and Executive Coordination: Represent OED in collaborations with departments such as Budget, Finance, DON, and Law. Provide briefings and strategic materials for City leadership including the Mayor’s Office and City Council. Prepare evaluations, legislative materials, investment reports, and other executive-level documentation.
Operational and Structural Leadership: Establish new operating systems and tools that support project management, outcome tracking, and workflow coordination. Integrate or create systems that track improvements in district conditions year-over-year. Align team roles and assignments with classification, capacity, and strategic needs.