JOB DESCRIPTION

Application Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. P.T. - Accepting Online Applications only through the City of Eugene Website

The City of Eugene's Community Development Division is seeking candidates to fill the role of Downtown Manager. As part of the City's Economic Prosperity team, this position will lead the City's efforts to strengthen downtown Eugene's role as the commercial and cultural center of the region. The Downtown Manager will work closely with community organizations, business owners, property owners, private developers, and other public agencies to identify synergies and opportunities to build a safe, clean, and active downtown.

Strategic Collaboration and Relationship Cultivation

• Serves as the primary point of contact for inter-departmental and inter-agency collaborative efforts in the Downtown Plan area.
• Develops and maintains relationships with a diverse set of external stakeholders, addressing their ideas and concerns, sharing new information with them, and looking for opportunities to build a strong downtown neighborhood.
• Cultivates trust with internal and external partners, including other departments, other public agencies, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and property owners.
• Analyzes and evaluates the creation and implementation of changes to policies and procedures, guides executive leadership through policy decision-making, and provides information to stakeholders.
• Collaborates with partners to build a sustainable model for the delivery of downtown services, including security, janitorial, and programming.
• Researches and utilizes racial equity principles and practices in managing downtown development efforts, including how the City can build relationships with and support groups that have historically been marginalized.
• Prepares and presents information to City Council, advisory committees, and the public.
• Coordinate with the department's Public Information Officer to implement a Downtown communications strategy including serving as the City's primary Downtown spokesperson, drafting press releases and social media content, and managing webpages related to Downtown.

Placemaking and Management

• Participates in the development, planning, and implementation of program goals and objectives related to all aspects of downtown Eugene, including public safety, social services, physical improvements, events, programming, transportation, and communications.
• Identifies placemaking opportunities in the Downtown Plan area; helps prioritize and develop implementation strategies.
• Supports placemaking efforts, ranging from small, temporary to large, permanent installations. Works with other teams at the City, including Cultural Services, Urban Forestry, Public Works, and Facilities to incorporate art and natural vegetation and to ensure maintenance costs are incorporated into placemaking efforts.
• Stays current on best practices in downtown planning and management and applies those insights to short- and long-term efforts throughout the Downtown Plan area.
• Collaborates with maintenance teams, the Eugene Police Department, and social service providers to ensure the downtown public realm is safe and clean.
• Supports City staff who manage activity permits and regular cleaning and maintenance programs to ensure the programs are supporting a safe, clean, and active downtown.
• Convenes and participates in regular interdepartmental meetings and task teams to coordinate planning, operations, and funding of downtown projects.
• Implements planned placemaking projects; working as the Project Manager or partner depending on the project type and scale of the project.

Development and Business Support

• Identifies redevelopment opportunities in the Downtown Plan area; helps prioritize and develop implementation strategies.
• Supports private developers in the planning and construction of new residential and commercial spaces.
• Maintains an awareness and understanding of public and private-sector projects and programs throughout the Downtown Plan area, to identify potential opportunities for synergies.
• Connects potential tenants with vacant commercial spaces; works with private partners to recruit new businesses to the downtown.
• Supports stakeholders to build prosperity among historically marginalized populations.

Administration

• Ensures compliance with policies and legal frameworks governing downtown Eugene (Eugene Code, administrative orders, intergovernmental agreements, etc.)
• Is responsible for the selection, supervision and evaluation of assigned staff.

• Develops, negotiates, and administers contracts and other agreements in alignment with CIty procurement rules
• Applies for and manages grants.
• Manages capital projects.
• Researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares studies and reports using available data resources.
• Completes designated job tasks, special projects, and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department, and City of Eugene goals while working cooperatively, effectively, and productively in a team environment.
• Actively demonstrates high levels of employee engagement, accountability, coachability, and responsibility for personal performance and results.

Minimum Qualifications

At least five years of professional experience in project management or program administration. At least one year of supervisory or program experience. Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or closely related field, AND four (4) years of professional experience in downtown management OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's degree in a relevant field is desirable. Requires a valid Oregon driver's license or ability to obtain by date of hire. Must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard.

Knowledge

• The principles and practices of downtown development and management strategies.
• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and procedures concerning downtown development.

• Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used to promote downtowns.
• The functions and relationships between private and public sector groups in the community.
• The principles and practices of contract negotiation methods and techniques, contract development and contract administration.
• Principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, goals, and related objectives.

Skills and Abilities

• Is flexible and able to respond to shifting priorities and competing demands and be comfortable with uncertainty.
• Can maintain a positive outlook while facing setbacks and skepticism.
• Can work effectively in time-sensitive situations to meet deadlines; coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks concurrently.
• Exercises sound independent judgment and demonstrates initiative and creativity, with minimal supervision.
• Communicates complex material clearly, logically, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including public presentations to varied audiences, including the general public, business community, and elected officials.
• Can research, analyze and prepare highly technical funding proposals, contracts, and financial reports.
• Can analyze problems and identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
• Is a team player and trust builder with colleagues, partners, and diverse public stakeholders. Is responsive to private development parties, providing needed information in a timely manner.
• Has basic computer fluency (Microsoft Office Suite)

BENEFITS

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.