ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Economic Development Director Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Thrive

Development Director

Englewood, CO · Hybrid

$65K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... economic stability. Our employment support fosters transformation through relational support ... The Development Director is a key leadership role responsible for shaping, strengthening, and ...

Tract

Director, Utility Development

Denver, CO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Reporting to a regional Vice President of Utility Development, the Director will own all utility ... Economics; Energy Management; Business; or a related field Years of Experience * 7 to 10 years of ...

State of Colorado

East Colorado SBDC Regional Director

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$100K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Department Information The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) fosters a ... The Regional Director (RD) will lead the full operations of the East Colorado SBDC 20-county region.

Cbcc

Executive Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$230 - $310/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational ... economic development, or a related field preferred. * Minimum of ten years of progressively ...

CompuData

Executive Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$230 - $310/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational ... economic development, or a related field preferred. * Minimum of ten years of progressively ...

Tract

Entitlements Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... economic development benefits for the community while being good stewards of the land and ... Denver Position Overview: The Entitlements Director will be a key position within Tract ...

Tract Capital Management, LP

Entitlements Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... economic development benefits for the community while being good stewards of the land and ... Position Overview The Entitlements Director will be a key position within Tract's development ...

Uaacog

UAADC Deputy Director

Canon City, CO · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

... and in strengthening economic development across the Central Colorado region. Requirements ... UAADC Deputy Director * Department: Upper Arkansas Area Development Corporation * Reports To:

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEconomic Development JobsEconomic Development Director JobsEconomic Development Director Jobs in Colorado

Economic Development Director information

See Colorado salary details

$51K

$130.3K

$212.4K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Colorado is $130,318.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,100.00 and $161,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Economic Development Director vs Economic Development Specialist?

AspectEconomic Development DirectorEconomic Development Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Economics, Business, or Public Administration; experience in economic planningSimilar credentials, often with less managerial experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in government agencies or economic development organizationsSupport role, assisting with projects and research
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, regional agencies, economic development firmsLocal government departments, economic development offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in economic developmentLearning about supporting roles in economic growth projects

The main difference between an Economic Development Director and an Economic Development Specialist lies in their level of responsibility and leadership. The Director oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the Specialist focuses on supporting projects and research. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work within government or economic organizations, but the Director holds a higher managerial position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Director, you need expertise in economic analysis, project management, and public policy, typically supported by a degree in economics, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with economic modeling software, GIS tools, and grant management systems is often required, along with certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Strong leadership, strategic communication, and relationship-building abilities help foster collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, securing funding, and driving sustainable economic progress in a community or region.

What are the main challenges economic development directors face when balancing community needs and business interests?

Economic Development Directors often need to align the interests of local businesses, government stakeholders, and community members, which can be challenging due to differing priorities. For example, attracting new businesses might conflict with preserving community character or addressing affordable housing. Success in this role frequently involves transparent communication, creative problem-solving, and building consensus through public engagement and strategic partnerships. Navigating these complexities requires adaptability and a strong understanding of both economic trends and local needs.

What does an economic development director do?

An Economic Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to promote economic growth within a community or region. They work to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and encourage job creation by collaborating with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations. Their duties often include managing economic incentive programs, overseeing redevelopment projects, and conducting market research to identify opportunities for development. Ultimately, their goal is to improve the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents.

What is an economic development director?

An economic development director is a city government employee who helps spur the city economy. Your two biggest responsibilities are to persuade new businesses to move into your town and to encourage existing businesses to expand. You attend fundraising events for civic and business groups and interact with donors to make connections with potentially valuable economic partners. Your duties include developing strategic programs for economic and financial growth, analyzing market trends, writing city tax policy proposals, and advising the city manager and the city council.

More about Economic Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Colorado?

For Economic Development Director jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Economic Development Director job openings:

Economic Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,318 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Senior Economic Development Specialist

Town of Frederick

Frederick, CO • On-site

$86K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

At the Town of Frederick, we’re Built on What Matters: people, community and service. We are a growing and evolving community committed to delivering meaningful opportunities and elevating the experience of those we serve for years to come. Guided by our FRED values: Family, Respect, Empowerment, and Dedication. 
Position Summary 
Are you passionate about shaping communities and driving meaningful growth? The Senior Economic Development Specialist serves as a central role for the Town of Frederick’s economic vitality and community prosperity. In this dynamic role, you will support business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts; cultivate partnerships with businesses, residents, and community organizations; and help advance strategic initiatives that strengthen Frederick’s economic future. 
Success in this position requires strong relationship-building skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to turn ideas into action. The Senior Economic Development Specialist plays an integral role in fostering meaningful community engagement, enhancing organizational effectiveness, and supporting sustainable growth that makes Frederick a vibrant place to live, work, and do business. 
Key Responsibilities 
The duties listed herein are illustrative of the essential duties of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required or assigned. 
  • Advance the Town's economic development strategy through initiatives that promote sustainable growth, business investment, redevelopment, and long-term community prosperity. 
  • Lead high-impact economic development initiatives, redevelopment projects, and strategic investments that support community and organizational goals. 
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate economic development strategies, programs, and action plans aligned with Town priorities and adopted strategic plans. 
  • Lead business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts through proactive engagement with employers, investors, developers, and business leaders. 
  • Conduct business retention and expansion (BRE) outreach, including business visits, surveys, and direct engagement with primary employers to identify growth opportunities, operational challenges, workforce needs, and reinvestment potential. 
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with existing businesses, major employers, developers, and regional partners to support long-term economic vitality and investment. 
  • Serve as a Town liaison for key regional partners, economic development organizations, site selectors, developers, and industry stakeholders. 
  • Act as a business ombudsman, helping businesses navigate development review, permitting, zoning, and regulatory processes while identifying and resolving barriers to investment and expansion. 
  • Guide businesses through rezoning, site modifications, permitting, and construction-related processes by coordinating with Planning, Engineering, Building, Utilities, and other Town departments. 
  • Support implementation of strategic initiatives and major Town priorities, including land use, redevelopment, downtown revitalization, and community development efforts. 
  • Coordinate economic development incentives, redevelopment agreements, reimbursement agreements, and other public-private financing tools in partnership with finance, legal, and development staff. 
  • Identify and pursue state, federal, regional, and private funding opportunities that support business growth, workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and strategic economic initiatives. 
  • Conduct site readiness assessments and coordinate infrastructure planning efforts to support business recruitment, expansion, and redevelopment opportunities. 
  • Cultivate workforce development partnerships and identify solutions related to workforce availability, space constraints, logistics, and expansion feasibility. 
  • Collect, analyze, and communicate economic, demographic, workforce, industry, commercial real estate, and business intelligence data to inform strategic planning and investment decisions. 
  • Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations, policy recommendations, reports, and briefings for Town leadership, boards, commissions, and elected officials. 
  • Design and evaluate performance measures, project tracking systems, and outcome-based reporting frameworks to assess program effectiveness and support continuous improvement. 
  • Lead grant strategy, funding pursuits, and implementation planning for priority economic development projects and initiatives. 
  • Represent the Town in regional, industry, business, and governmental forums, making presentations and promoting the community's assets, opportunities, and vision. 
  • Provide leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance for project teams while exercising significant independent judgment, discretion, and strategic decision-making in advancing economic development priorities.  
Education 
  • High school diploma or equivalent 
  • Bachelor's degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Community Development, Political Science, Real Estate, Communications, Finance, Economics, or a closely related field required. 
  • Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Urban and Regional Planning, Economic Development, or a related field, preferred. 
  • An equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, and progressively responsible economic development experience may be considered. 
Work Experience 
  • Seven (7)+ years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, municipal government, community engagement, business development, project management or a related field.  
  • Demonstrated experience in business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts within a municipal, quasi-public, or economic development organization. 
  • Strong knowledge of municipal development processes, including zoning, land use, permitting, entitlements, and site selection. 
  • Experience working with developers, site selectors, commercial real estate professionals, and business executives on complex development or investment projects. 
  • Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects, analyze economic and market data, and develop actionable recommendations for leadership. 
  • Experience preparing reports, presentations, and policy recommendations for elected officials, boards, commissions, or executive leadership. 
  • Strong communication, customer service, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to represent the organization in public and professional settings. 
Certifications/License 
  • Valid driver’s license required 
  • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred 
  • Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP) preferred 
Working Conditions 
The work environment must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
  • Professional office environment with frequent computer use, meetings, and public contact. 
  • Regular interaction with businesses, developers, residents, elected officials, and internal staff. 
  • Fast-paced, project-driven setting requiring strong organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail. 
  • Attend off-site meetings, business visits, and community or regional events as needed. 
  • Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, including research, analysis, and report preparation. 
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, data entry, and operating standard office equipment. 
  • Occasional standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 10 pounds. 
Compensation Information
Salary Range (Annual): $$86,840 - $130,270 (Mid: 108,555)
Hiring Range: $102,000 - $118,000 DOQ
Benefits and Incentives 
  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage 
  • Supplemental Health Plans (accidental, critical illness, hospital) 
  • Town paid Basic Life and AD&D coverage 
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
  • 12 weeks of PFML (Paid Family Medical Leave) 
  • Retirement plan with up to 10% employer match 
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): 29 vacation days and 10 sick days annually 
  • 11 paid Town observed holidays + 1 floating holiday 
  • Annual training, certification and tuition reimbursement opportunities 
  • Bilingual stipend for qualifying employees 
  • Town subsidized position related membership or affiliation dues 
  • Free tee time at Bella Rosa Golf Course 
  • Free membership to Carbon Valley Recreation Center 
  • Access to the Town’s gym facility  
The Town of Frederick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, hiring and developing a diverse workforce. The Town does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state and local law. 
 
The Town of Frederick provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable federal and state law. If you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact hr@frederickco.gov.