Deputy Director of Economic Deveolpment

# Deputy Director of Economic Deveolpment

> Downtown Houston + · Houston, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-06-19

**Workplace:** on_site

## 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

## Apply
[Apply at Downtown Houston +](https://apply.workable.com/central-houston-inc/j/6B7C4EB5D9/apply)
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