Lead Downtown Topeka's next chapter for business growth and visible progress.

Downtown Topeka, Inc. is seeking an action-oriented President to lead the next chapter of downtown growth, business vitality, and visible progress.

Downtown Topeka has strong assets to build on, including Evergy Plaza, historic architecture, committed business and property owners, residential momentum, cultural anchors, and a renewed sense of opportunity.

The next President will be a visible and trusted leader who can align public and private partners, support existing businesses, engage property owners, recruit new investment, and help downtown become a more active, welcoming, and economically vibrant district every day of the week.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in business administration, urban planning, marketing, public administration, economic development, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience in economic development, urban planning, downtown management, place-based organizations, real estate development, public administration, or related work preferred.
• Proven ability to create and execute measurable plans with KPIs, timelines, accountability, and follow-through.
• Strong leadership, relationship building, presentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with public and private stakeholders while maintaining urgency and professionalism.
• Resident of Shawnee County or willing to relocate within a mutually agreed timeframe.

FIRST 12-18 MONTHS

• Build trust and regular communication with downtown stakeholders.
• Launch a practical action plan with measurable goals and short-term wins.
• Advance vacancy reduction, business retention, tenant recruitment, safety/perception coordination, and everyday activation.

JOIN US:

If you are an action focused leader ready to build trust, align partners, and deliver visible progress, we invite you to apply.

The right candidate must be aligned with the Partnership’s Core Values, which run through every decision we make, every action we take

Equity – Our organization, like our community, is great when everyone has a voice that is heard and valued.

INTEGRITY – We place integrity at the forefront of all our decisions and will continue to build a team only of individuals who are dedicated to doing the right thing in a fair and honest way.

VISIONARY – The future starts today and the decisions we make shape tomorrow. We encourage and support creativity in our community and stay on the cutting edge of our industry’s standards.

PASSION FOR COMMUNITY – We love our community!

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for DTI with a focus on business vitality, property activation, stakeholder trust, and measurable downtown progress.
• Develop and execute a focused downtown action plan with clear priorities, timelines, performance measures, and accountability.
• Lead targeted strategies for business retention, tenant recruitment, vacancy reduction, property owner engagement, and consistent downtown activation.
• Build strong relationships with business owners, property owners, developers, residents, investors, cultural anchors, public partners, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with public sector, law enforcement, social service, and community partners to address safety, and public perception.
• Ensure successful execution of the BID management contract and professional delivery of downtown services.
• Oversee budgeting, contracts, reporting, staff leadership, and performance measures for organizational success.
• Serve as DTI’s chief spokesperson, advocate, and visible point of contact for downtown stakeholders.