Economic Development Manager

Job Title: Economic Development ManagerLocation: San Francisco, CAJob Type: Full-TimeAbout Us: The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) is an innovativeindependent 501(c)(3) corporation established to mobilize private capital and civic expertise to fundand implement high impact initiatives that jumpstart long-term economic development in downtownSan Francisco. More information can be found at www.sfddc.org.About the Role: The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) seeks anexperienced and entrepreneurial Economic Development Manager to lead its economic developmentprograms and strategy. This is a role with significant scope and visibility, serving as the primary staffofficer responsible for managing and growing the Downtown Business Fund (DBF) — DDC’s flagshipgrant, loan-referral, and technical-assistance program for storefront businesses — whilesimultaneously developing and executing a broader strategy to attract businesses and anchorinstitutions to downtown San Francisco.The Manager should be an outcomes-oriented professional capable of managing complexmulti-stakeholder programs, cultivating funding relationships, commissioning and synthesizingeconomic analysis, and building DDC’s long-term capacity as a center of gravity for downtowneconomic development. The role reports to the Vice President and works closely with program staff,legal counsel, banking partners, public sector counterparts, and DDC’s board of directors.Key Responsibilities:Downtown Business Fund — Program Management● Oversee day-to-day administration of the DBF, including application intake and review, applicantscoring, award determinations, disbursement coordination, and ongoing program monitoring.● Prepare regular reporting to the DDC executive management and board on program pipeline,awards made, capital deployed, and economic impact metrics; serve as the primary internalsubject-matter expert on DBF operations.● Manage DDC’s relationships with banking partners and co-administrator SF New Deal, ensuringalignment across program operations, portal functionality, and participant referrals.● Coordinate with outside legal counsel on compliance, program documentation, and programevolution.● Direct outreach, marketing, and prospecting efforts to identify and recruit qualified applicants tothe program, in partnership with program staff and outside partners.● Work with program staff to maintain and update the landlord and storefront database; build andsustain working relationships with downtown property owners, brokers, and real estateintermediaries.Downtown Business Fund — Growth & Capital Strategy● Develop and execute a long-range capital strategy for the DBF, including identifying andpursuing new funding partnerships.● Evaluate and advance opportunities to expand DBF into direct lending, including throughpartnership with a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and potentialestablishment of a revolving loan fund.● Lead cultivation and stewardship of existing and prospective program funders; preparehigh-quality proposals, reports, and presentations for institutional funders, foundations, andgovernment grant programs.● Monitor and evaluate program performance against defined impact metrics; refine programdesign, eligibility criteria, and award structures in response to market conditions and stakeholderfeedback.Business Attraction & Retail Strategy● Design and lead a comprehensive business and retailer attraction strategy for downtown SanFrancisco, establishing DDC as a proactive intermediary between business operators anddowntown opportunities.● Identify target business types, sectors, and operators that align with DDC’s corridor priorities;develop tailored outreach, incentive packaging, and relationship cultivation strategies.● Build and manage a pipeline of prospective businesses, from initial contact through siteidentification, lease negotiation support, and DBF application.● Represent DDC at industry events, trade shows, and sector convenings to position downtownSF as a destination for business growth.Economic Development Planning & Analysis● Develop and manage a comprehensive business attraction and economic development plan fordowntown San Francisco, integrating market data, corridor analysis, and stakeholder priorities.● Commission, oversee, and synthesize economic research and impact studies, including sectoraleconomic impact analyses, market gap assessments, and corridor activation studies, workingwith consultants and research partners.● Identify and develop strategies to attract anchor institutions and non-traditional users todowntown — including educational institutions, healthcare operators, cultural organizations, andpublic-sector tenants — in coordination with city economic development stakeholders.● Coordinate across downtown stakeholder groups, including the City agencies, communitybenefit districts, SF Travel, and others, to align economic development strategy and avoidduplicative efforts.● Track and communicate market trends, policy developments, and peer-city best practicesrelevant to downtown economic development; prepare materials for the CEO and board.Organizational Leadership & Coordination● Manage and mentor program staff and coordinate with DDC’s program manager and other teammembers on cross-functional deliverables.● Operate with a high degree of autonomy and independent judgment; proactively manageworkload, timelines, and external partner relationships with minimal day-to-day supervision.● Contribute to DDC board presentations and strategic planning processes; serve as a credibleorganizational spokesperson in stakeholder and public settings.Qualifications:● Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in economic development,community development finance, commercial real estate, urban planning, or a closely relatedfield.● Demonstrated experience managing grant, loan, or economic development programs in aprivate, nonprofit, quasi-public, or government setting.● Experience with and supervision of complex stakeholder management and board or seniorleadership reporting.● Proven ability to identify, pursue, and secure external funding, including government grants,philanthropic capital, and corporate partnerships.● Strong analytical skills and comfort working with economic and financial data; ability tocommission and critically evaluate third-party research.● Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce polishedboard materials, funder reports, and public-facing strategy documents.● Knowledge of the San Francisco commercial real estate market, downtown business corridors,and the city’s economic development and regulatory landscape.Preferred Qualifications:● Experience in retail or commercial business attraction, business improvement districtmanagement, or downtown revitalization program administration.● Deep familiarity with community development finance tools, including grants, loan guarantees,CDFIs, New Markets Tax Credits, revolving loan funds, or comparable instruments.● Experience working with legal counsel on financial program documentation, complianceframeworks, or financing structures.● Advanced degree in public administration, urban planning, real estate, economics, or a relatedfield.Benefits:● Salary range: $150,000–$180,000 annually.● Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.● 401k employer match.● Generous PTO policy.● Opportunities for professional development and career growth.● A collaborative and inclusive work environment.Location: This role will be based in San Francisco, with a minimum of three days per week in-personat our downtown office, in alignment with the organization’s mission.How to Apply: To express interest in the role, please submit a resume or CV to jobs@sfddc.org withthe subject “Economic Development Manager”. If desired, you may submit a cover letter or additionalsupporting materials. All applications will be considered confidential.Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.