# Deputy Director of Economic Deveolpment **Company:** [Downtown Houston +](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/jd18QYP8jsytQ3s3EDRc7P.md) **Location:** Houston, United States **Workplace:** on site **Employment type:** Full-time [Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/0daf360e-7df7-44db-bb2a-57a937b2f630) ## Description **Summary of Opportunity:** The Deputy Director of Economic Development is a visionary leadership role responsible for amplifying the economic, demographic, and social context of Downtown Houston. This position serves as the organization’s primary architect for research-driven strategy, ensuring that every economic initiative—from retail recruitment to space activation—is backed by robust data and a commitment to inclusive growth. This role is not only a steward of the internal project pipeline but a prominent public-facing spokesperson dedicated to building a resilient, equitable, and human-centric urban core. **Apply by July 3, 2026 to be considered for this opportunity.** **About Downtown Houston+** Downtown Houston+ (DTH+) comprises organizations that champion and enhance Downtown Houston, including Central Houston Inc. / Central Houston Civic Improvement, the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and the Houston Downtown Management District. _**Central Houston, Inc. / Central Houston Civic Improvement**_ Founded in 1983, Central Houston, Inc. creates a community to advocate and advance the vision for Downtown. Led by a prestigious board of corporate and community leaders, it is a non-profit organization funded by its members. Central Houston Civic Improvement is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable affiliate of Central Houston, Inc., and serves as the fiscal agent for catalyst projects. _**Houston Downtown Management District**_ In 1996, the Texas legislature created the Houston Downtown Management District to protect and beautify the public realm, provide programming and marketing, and plan and catalyze economic development. Guided by a diverse board, it is funded through a fair and proportionate assessment of real property. _**Downtown Redevelopment Authority / TIRZ #3**_ Downtown Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ #3 improves Downtown's economic well-being through capital and operational investments in parks, infrastructure, safety, and other public realm improvements. It is governed by a city-appointed or confirmed board. These improvements are made possible by reinvesting incremental property taxes within its zone's boundaries. **Essential Duties & Responsibilities:** **Departmental Leadership & People Management** - Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and performance management for the Economic Development function. - Directly supervise and provide strategic direction to the Small Business Manager and Research Manager positions. - Guide the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of small business support initiatives, including grant and incentive programs such as Thrive, Al Fresco, Façade Improvement, and related entrepreneurial ecosystem efforts. - Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of market intelligence, demographic data, real estate analytics, and district performance metrics to support economic development decision-making. - Align research findings and market insights with business recruitment, retention, and activation strategies to address market gaps, reduce structural vacancies, and strengthen Downtown Houston’s commercial environment. - Establish departmental priorities, performance objectives, and reporting mechanisms that support organizational goals and measurable outcomes. **Market Repositioning, Incentives & Project Support** - Support adaptive reuse initiatives, building modernization efforts, and other strategic redevelopment opportunities that contribute to Downtown Houston’s economic growth and competitiveness. - Collaborate with TIRZ leadership, public agencies, property owners, developers, and investment partners to identify and advance financing tools, incentive programs, and public-private partnership opportunities that encourage district reinvestment. - Partner with Planning and Urban Design staff to strengthen street-level activation, retail performance, and ground-floor vibrancy throughout Downtown Houston. - Identify opportunities to leverage public realm investments, activated public spaces, streetscape improvements, and underutilized properties to support entrepreneurship, micro-retail activity, and economic activation. - Develop and implement strategies that diversify Downtown Houston’s business and tenant mix, including efforts related to grocery and fresh food access, neighborhood-serving retail, entertainment uses, and evening and weekend activity generators. - Monitor economic and real estate trends to identify emerging opportunities, risks, and market shifts that may impact Downtown Houston’s long-term economic performance.  **Economic Research, Reporting & Thought Leadership** - Lead the development and publication of economic reports, market analyses, annual reviews, investment profiles, and performance dashboards that support Downtown Houston’s market positioning. - Oversee the preparation of economic development reporting and investment mapping initiatives that communicate Downtown Houston’s strengths, opportunities, and economic impact to key audiences. - Translate complex economic, demographic, real estate, and performance data into actionable recommendations and compelling narratives for public, private, and institutional stakeholders. - Maintain awareness of emerging trends, best practices, and innovative approaches in economic development, downtown revitalization, place management, and urban investment. **Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations** - Serve as a primary liaison to brokerage, development, investment, and business communities to support business recruitment, investment attraction, and collaborative economic development efforts. - Build and maintain productive relationships with developers, investors, property owners, business leaders, public agencies, and community stakeholders. - Represent Downtown Houston+ at conferences, industry events, public meetings, panels, media engagements, and stakeholder forums. - Serve as a public spokesperson for economic development initiatives by communicating market conditions, investment opportunities, and district performance to a variety of audiences. **Board & Executive Engagement** - Prepare executive-level briefings, technical analyses, performance dashboards, and strategic recommendations for organizational leadership. - Develop decision-support materials and board-facing reports for Central Houston, Inc., Houston Downtown Management District, and Downtown Redevelopment Authority leadership. - Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership regarding economic development priorities, market conditions, investment opportunities, and organizational initiatives. **Other General Duties & Responsibilities** - Consistently demonstrates the Organization’s Core Values. - Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and established expectations. - Performs other related duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives. ## Requirements **Minimum Education, Experience & Other Credentials** - Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Business Administration (MBA), Public Policy, Economics, or a related field required. - Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, urban leadership, real estate strategy, downtown management, redevelopment, or related fields. - Demonstrated experience leading economic development initiatives, market analysis efforts, business recruitment activities, redevelopment strategies, or place management programs. - Proven experience managing professional staff and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups. - Familiarity with public-private financing tools, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs), redevelopment authorities, and related economic development mechanisms preferred. - Familiarity with Houston-area market dynamics, downtown stakeholder networks, and commercial real estate trends preferred. - Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills required. **Core Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:** - **Economic Development & Market Strategy:** Strong knowledge of economic development principles, business recruitment, market positioning, investment attraction, and downtown revitalization strategies. - **Real Estate & Redevelopment Expertise:** Understanding of commercial real estate dynamics, adaptive reuse opportunities, redevelopment strategies, incentive-based investment approaches, and public-private partnership structures. - **Built Environment & Economic Performance Perspective:** Demonstrated understanding of how the built environment, public realm investments, and district development patterns influence economic activity, private investment, business attraction, and long-term property value. - **Leadership & Team Management:** Proven ability to lead professional teams, establish strategic priorities, manage competing demands, and drive results across multiple initiatives and stakeholder groups. - **Communication & Executive Presence:** Exceptional ability to synthesize complex economic, demographic, real estate, and market information into persuasive narratives, executive briefings, board presentations, and public-facing communications. - **Research & Analytical Skills:** Strong ability to interpret market intelligence, economic data, demographic trends, and performance metrics to develop actionable recommendations and support strategic decision-making. **Apply by July 3, 2026 to be considered for this opportunity.** ## Benefits - Salary commensurate with the senior management and strategic oversight responsibilities of the Deputy Director role - Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance after 60 days - 401(k) with match after 90 days