Benefits

Job Description

Position Overview:

Dubuque Forward seeks a full-time senior Lead to drive organizational placemaking success through implementation of the Downtown Core Strategy. This role is responsible for translating vision, plans, and community priorities into on-the-ground results—advancing redevelopment, public and private investment, business vitality, and economic growth in Downtown Dubuque.

Reporting directly to the Board Chair, this position serves as Dubuque Forward’s primary implementation lead for project management, urban design–informed planning, public–private collaboration, and multi-stakeholder facilitation. The role works side by side with the Dubuque Forward Community Facilitation & Engagement Lead in coordination with city departments, private developers, legislators, institutional partners, consultants, and community stakeholders to ensure coordinated execution of downtown priorities. This position is ideal for a professional who combines urban design and planning expertise, economic development fluency, and strong project management skills, with a bias toward action and delivery. This role supports fundraising and grant development by ensuring that downtown implementation projects are clearly defined, investment-ready, timely, and aligned with funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Downtown Strategy Implementation

Translate planning studies, urban design frameworks, and policy recommendations into phased, implementable projects with defined scopes, timelines, and outcomes.
Translate planning studies into phased, implementable projects, including identifying and coordinate stakeholders
Track progress on implementation priorities and report regularly on milestones, risks, and opportunities to the Board Chair and Board.

2. Urban Design & Planning

Apply urban design, land-use planning, and placemaking principles to guide downtown redevelopment, public-realm improvements, streetscape projects, and district-scale initiatives.
Evaluate development proposals and public projects for alignment with downtown design frameworks, community goals, and economic development objectives in collaboration with the Board and Dubuque Forward Community Facilitation & Engagement Lead.
Support creation and refinement of design guidelines, implementation toolkits, and redevelopment frameworks as needed.

3. Project Management

Serve as project manager for multi-phase, multi-stakeholder initiatives, coordinating schedules, budgets, consultant teams, and deliverables.
Manage consultant-led work (e.g., architects, planners, engineers, economists), including scope development, contract coordination, and performance oversight.
Identify implementation barriers and proactively develop solutions to keep projects moving forward.
Lead facilitation of complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Convene partners around shared outcomes.
Synthesize input into clear recommendations.

4. Public–Private Collaboration

Work closely with private developers, property owners, and investors to advance redevelopment opportunities aligned with downtown priorities.
Coordinate with city departments, elected officials, and regional partners to align infrastructure, zoning, incentives, and capital investments with implementation goals.
Engage state and federal legislators, as appropriate, to support policy alignment, funding opportunities, and regulatory solutions pertinent to projects.

5. Stakeholder & Community Engagement

Facilitate, in coordination with Dubuque Forward Community Facilitation & Engagement Lead, working sessions with public agencies, private stakeholders, and community partners focused on decision-making and implementation.
Communicate complex planning and design concepts in clear, accessible ways to diverse audiences.
Ensure community input is meaningfully integrated into project decisions and outcomes in coordination with the Dubuque Forward Community Facilitation & Engagement Lead.

6. Internal Collaboration

Work closely with the Board Chair and Dubuque Forward Board and Leadership Team to align implementation work with fundraising, communications, and board priorities.
Work closely with the Board Chair, Board of Directors, and Dubuque Forward Community Facilitation & Engagement Lead to align implementation priorities with fundraising and grant development strategies, ensuring projects are well-positioned for philanthropic and public funding.
Contribute technical and project-specific expertise to grant applications, funding strategies, and donor materials, including project scopes, budgets, timelines, and anticipated outcomes.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in urban design and planning, project management, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
5+ years of relevant professional experience.
Strong project management and facilitation skills.
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and financial reporting.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Track record of success in doing the work in addition to motivating people
Experience in community and urban design.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Passion for the mission and goals of the organization.

Desired Skills and Attributes: