Executive Director

Position Overview

The Executive Director for Economic Development leads countywide efforts to strengthen and diversify the rural economy. The Director serves as a connector, problem‑solver, and project manager for initiatives that improve long‑term economic resilience across the county’s towns and unincorporated areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Rural Economic Strategy — Develop and implement a countywide economic development plan addressing housing shortages, workforce gaps, and business growth.
• Grant Writing & Administration — Identify, apply for, and manage federal, state, and philanthropic grants that support infrastructure, redevelopment, housing, and business development.
• Redevelopment & Revitalization — Lead projects that improve historic downtowns, reuse vacant buildings, enhance streetscapes, and support adaptive reuse of aging or underutilized properties. Support the County Revitalization Authority with project management and collaborate with the Walsenburg Urban Renewal Authority.
• Chamber & Nonprofit Collaboration —Lead the local Chamber of Commerce, and community initiatives.
• Workforce & Housing Alignment — Partner with employers, schools, and housing organizations to address workforce shortages, training needs, and attainable housing development.
• Data & Reporting — Track economic indicators, business trends, and project outcomes; prepare reports for county leadership and grant funders to respond to State Economic Development inquiries and Opportunity Zone requests.
• Intergovernmental Coordination — Collaborate with municipalities, county departments, regional EDOs, and state agencies (DOLA, OEDIT, USDA, etc.) to advance shared priorities.
• Supervise--- Supervise employees as assigned for various projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business, Planning, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
• Experience in economic development, community development, nonprofit leadership, or rural project management.
• Demonstrated success in grant writing, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse rural stakeholders, including small business owners, ranchers, local officials, and community groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in rural or frontier communities.
• Familiarity with Colorado state programs (DOLA, OEDIT, Main Street, Enterprise Zones, USDA Rural Development).

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a community‑minded leader who thrives in rural environments, builds strong relationships, and can turn ideas into funded, executed projects. They understand the unique challenges of rural Colorado—limited housing, seasonal tourism, aging infrastructure, and small‑town dynamics—and are passionate about strengthening local businesses and revitalizing historic communities.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person