Job Description

Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this executive search. The application process will close on April 14, 2025.

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs seeks a CEO to provide strategic and visionary leadership to our family of organizations: Downtown Partnership, a 501(c)4 nonprofit; Downtown Ventures, a 501(c)3 nonprofit; the Greater Downtown Colorado Springs Business Improvement District; and the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority.

About Downtown Colorado Springs

Downtown Colorado Springs is experiencing a renaissance, with more than $2 billion in recent or near-term investment into the city center. This includes new attractions such as the 8,000-seat Weidner Field (soccer); the 3,400-seat Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College (hockey); and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Other recent additions include a residential surge of nearly 3,000 new apartment units, four new hotels within as many years, and new microbility options to include PikeRide bike share, scooters, and a free-fare circulator. Downtown is also home to more than 60 independent retailers, the largest concentration of independent restaurants in Southern Colorado, the 2,000-student Colorado College campus, and numerous galleries and arts organizations contributing to Downtown's designation as a state-certified creative district.

About Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs

Downtown Partnership is the lead organization working to ensure that Downtown Colorado Springs serves as the economic, civic, and cultural heart of the region. A 501(c)4 nonprofit, Downtown Partnership serves as the management company for three other organizations working toward the betterment of Downtown Colorado Springs: Downtown Ventures, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and two quasi-governmental taxing districts: the Greater Downtown Colorado Springs Business Improvement District (BID) and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Guiding the work of the Downtown family of organizations is the Experience Downtown Master Plan, adopted by the Colorado Springs City Council in November 2016. This plan is currently undergoing an update, with expected completion date by beginning of Q1 2026. Strategic use of catalytic tools that have enabled such economic progress includes DDA tax increment financing, Federal Opportunity Zone designation, and state Enterprise Zone designation. The Downtown area follows a Form Based Code zoning and has a dedicated planning commission through the city, the Downtown Review Board.

The Downtown Partnership operates nimbly with a staff of nine plus contracted labor for daily cleaning, landscaping, and security services. Annual nonduplicated revenue of the four organizations exceeds $5 million, with sources including earned revenue, memberships, sponsorships, grants, individual donors, contracts for service, property tax levies, and tax increments. 

THE POSITION

The CEO of Downtown Partnership works closely with the board in setting strategy and policy to advance the Downtown Partnership's mission, leads the staff in planning and implementing a comprehensive program that secures the necessary resources (funding, projects, programs) to support the Downtown Partnership's priorities, and embodies the "champion of downtown" moniker for the Downtown Partnership. The CEO is also very public facing and works collaboratively with a wide range of community stakeholders to ensure the long-term success of downtown. The CEO reports to the Downtown Partnership Executive Committee.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Guides the 19-member board of directors to integrate and advance the Experience Downtown Master Plan.

• Provides strategic leadership for the Boards of Directors for the Downtown Development Authority, the Business Improvement District, and Downtown Ventures, ensuring one comprehensive strategy.

• Drives revenue opportunities including memberships, sponsorships, grants, and contracts for services.

• Leads long-range financial planning and ensures the financial sustainability of the organization, including multiple streams of revenue, oversight of special taxing districts (BID & DDA), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements, and other economic development tools.

• Leads staff of the family of organizations, overseeing financial management, strategy, and daily function.

• Fosters collaboration among key public and private stakeholders, including the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, VisitCOS, and Colorado Springs Utilities to advance initiatives important to Downtown.

• Advocates for Downtown's positions with public officials and other entities where appropriate to ensure Downtown Colorado Springs remains an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

• Oversees financial reporting including audits to ensure compliance with city, county, and state regulations on behalf of the Partnerships, BID, DDA, and Community Ventures.

• Cultivates a strong workplace culture, ensuring staff retention, professional development, and team cohesion remain priorities. Delegates effectively, empowers staff, and provides mentorship opportunities that strengthen the organization's internal capacity.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

· Deep understanding of urban planning trends, including transit, bike lanes, parking management, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

· Proven experience in the management and strategic implementation of special taxing districts, including an understanding of governance structures, funding mechanisms, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term district sustainability and impact.

· Strong knowledge of Tax Increment Financing (TIF), including experience in leveraging TIF agreements to promote economic development, attract investment, and support strategic growth initiatives.

· Proven success in securing funding (public and private) and building long-term relationships with constituents such as elected officials, partner organizations, major donors, and corporations.

· Ability to navigate policy discussions and advocate on issues that impact businesses, residents, and visitors.

· Experience in fostering a thriving business environment by supporting independent retailers, cultural institutions, and commercial developments. Ability to craft strategies that attract new businesses while ensuring downtown remains a vibrant, inclusive, and economically diverse district.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

· Strong business acumen and economic development expertise, understanding all core areas of strategic planning.

· Skilled at coalition-building and guiding policy discussions that impact Downtown development.

· Strong industry awareness and understanding of regional economic development trends and urban planning best practices.

· Ability to communicate a compelling vision while inspiring, motivating, and marshaling resources throughout the organization and among its stakeholders.

· Ability to interpret and use data, key performance indicators (KPIs), and previous experience to drive decision-making, assess program effectiveness, and communicate measurable progress to stakeholders.

· Skilled at leading through change, managing leadership transitions, policy shifts, and evolving economic conditions.

· Strong fiscal management skills, including the ability to manage the organization's financial affairs, develop revenue sources, and control expenditures to preserve financial stability.

· Superb communications and presentation skills, ability to convey the Downtown Partnership's mission to diverse groups through building and maintaining relationships.

· Proactively manage and shape public narratives about Downtown Colorado Springs, including working effectively with local media, engaging in strategic digital and social media outreach, and ensuring positive and accurate messaging about Downtown.

· Ability to navigate opposition, foster and maintain partnerships, and rally key supporters to ensure the organization remains focused on a long-term vision despite external challenges.

· Experience working with diverse groups and promoting inclusivity within programmatic efforts.

· Direct knowledge and experience with Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region preferred.

PERSONAL TRAITS

· Collaborative spirit and consensus builder.

· Results-oriented leader who drives measurable success.

· Exceptional communicator and listener.

· Politically savvy.

· Visionary and strategic thinker with an innovative problem-solving mindset.

· Highly responsive and adaptable to changing economic conditions and organizational needs.

· Good instincts, flexible, and adaptive to change in a fast-paced and evolving landscape.

· Committed to talent development and acts as an active mentor to the team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of executive leadership with the ability to sort what is critical and what is not, and experience in economic development, nonprofit management, fundraising, and project administration including a demonstrated track record of effective collaboration with boards of directors, business owners, volunteers, and governmental agencies.

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