Director Downtown Environment

About Us

Cities are built by people. The creators of industry, makers of place. Visionaries—for what’s next. At the Downtown Denver Partnership, we are building with vision.

We believe the horizon of a great city is always growing, always improving. We believe our city is only as strong as the center. And we know that a thriving, strategic evolution only happens when every voice steps up to the mic. When access allows for unbridled opportunity.

Whether we are talking about mobility and transportation or economic development, our organization focuses on fostering an impactful culture and business community that will support each and every citizen, giving us all a seat at the table.

Building our center city, making our place.

About the Position

Downtown Denver deserves to be the cleanest, most beautiful, and most welcoming downtown in America, and the Director of Beautification & Public Realm Care is the person who makes that true every single day.

Working across the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (DDBID), this leader directs the public realm operations, service provider contracts and field teams that define the everyday downtown experience for workers, residents, businesses, and visitors.

This role pairs operational excellence with a planner’s understanding of how cities work. The Director manages significant budgets and contracts, builds trusted relationships with the City and County of Denver, property owners, businesses, and community partners, and translates organizational strategy into measurable results in a highly visible environment. The Director serves as a key member of the Downtown Environment leadership team and a respected voice for downtown operations and public realm asset management. This position prioritizes beautification and the public realm.

Utilizing the Downtown Area Plan as a guide, this position is fundamental to the successful delivery of provision of a vibrant and beautiful Place.

Responsibilities

Strategic Implementation

- With an eye for design, detail, and ambitious standards, this position will apply landscape architecture and urban planning expertise to public realm, streetscape, mobility and placemaking priorities, helping shape how downtown spaces are managed, maintained, and improved over time.
- Execute the operations strategy, annual workplan and performance goals for Downtown Environment operations in alignment with the Partnership’s strategic work plan and the DDBID operating plan.
- Define, track and report key performance indicators that demonstrate measurable outcomes for downtown cleanliness, activation, and overall public realm quality.
- Anticipate emerging downtown conditions and needs, and recommend service, staffing, and investment adjustments accordingly.
- Build out of a robust Asset Management process to ensure the longevity of the downtown public realm.

Program and Project Oversight

- Oversee daily operations of downtown public realm programs, including cleaning and maintenance, landscaping and beautification, seasonal lighting, and other district services.
- Manage multiple concurrent projects and field priorities, from planning through delivery, ensuring work is completed on time, on budget and to a high standard.
- Monitor field conditions proactively and coordinate rapid responses to maintenance, infrastructure across the district.
- Coordinate with Partnership colleagues in planning, events, marketing, communications, and advocacy to align operations with broader downtown initiatives.

Budget, Contract and Compliance Management

- Develop, manage, and monitor the operating budget for Downtown Environment operations, including monthly 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 regular field inspections, performance reviews, and clear reporting.
- Seek cost efficiencies and alternative service delivery models that strengthen 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 other public partners.
- Assess risk, insurance and liability considerations related to operations and contracted services.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

- Serve as a primary liaison with City and County of Denver agencies, including public works, transportation and infrastructure, parks, public safety and permitting, to coordinate services and resolve issues in the downtown core.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with property owners, businesses, residents, nonprofits, and community partners, and DDBID Enterprise clients, responding to operational concerns and demonstrating the value of district services.
- Influence partners and decision makers across public and private sectors, often without direct authority, to advance shared downtown outcomes.

Team Leadership

- Lead, coach, and develop operations staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable and service-oriented team culture. Hand-in-hand relationship with Safety Director and team.
- Collaboration and coordination with DDP’s Planning and Community Impact and Strategic Programs and Activations Teams, is critical part of the work of the Downtown Denver Partnership.
- Set clear expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional growth for direct reports.
- Ensure staff and contracted teams are trained, equipped, and supported to work safely and effectively in the field.

Alignment and Board Engagement

- Partner with Alignment leadership to inform strategy, budgets, and priorities, and provide timely updates on operational performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Prepare and present reports, analysis and recommendations to the Board, committees, and other governing bodies.
- Support Board and committee processes related to the DDBID, including the operating plan, budget, and annual reporting requirements.

About You

- Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, construction management, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
- 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.
- Demonstrated experience with budget responsibility and with managing and overseeing service contracts and vendors, including performance monitoring and accountability.
- Experience in local government, and/or with nonprofit organizations, and familiarity with business improvement districts, public-private partnerships or similar entities, preferred.
- Strong external-facing relationship management skills, with experience working with government agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders.
- Ability to influence without direct authority and to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic planning and execution experience, with the ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes.
- Proven staff management experience, including coaching, developing, and evaluating teams.
- Strong project and asset management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with significant public visibility.
- Excellent public presentation, written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to boards, public officials, and community groups.
- Economic and community development mindset, with a commitment to downtown Denver and the people who live, work, and visit here.
- Ability to work in the field in all weather conditions and to occasionally work early mornings, evenings and weekends to support events and urgent operational needs.

What We Offer

- Expected salary range $115,000 - $135,000
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Employer paid Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Transportation Benefits
- Personal and Professional Development

Downtown Denver Partnership provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. In addition to federal law requirements, Downtown Denver Partnership complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Downtown Denver Partnership will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants for failing to disclose wage rate history in accordance with applicable law.

Downtown Denver Partnership expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Downtown Denver Partnership employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.