Downtown Houston +
Deputy Director of Economic Deveolpment
Houston, Texas, United States · Director
Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 34 days ago
Performance ManagementResearchLeadershipCommunicationPublic Speaking
About the role
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of market intelligence, demographic data, real estate analytics, and district performance metrics to support economic development decision-making.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Requirements
- Strong knowledge of economic development principles, business recruitment, market positioning, investment attraction, and downtown revitalization strategies.
- Exceptional ability to synthesize complex economic, demographic, real estate, and market information into persuasive narratives, executive briefings, board presentations, and public-facing communications.
Skills
- Apply by July 3, 2026 to be considered for this opportunity.
Compensation
- 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.
Benefits
- Central Houston, Inc. / Central Houston Civic Improvement Founded in 1983, Central Houston, Inc. creates a community to advocate and advance the vision for Downtown.
- 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.
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