Job Details

Director of Nighttime Economy and Opportunity

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Director of Nighttime Economy and Opportunity

Salary

$86,298.00 - $131,751.00 Annually

Location

Coleman A Young Municipal Center, MI

Job Type

Appointed (Other)

Job Number

20254932002MAYORbb

Department

Mayor's Office

Opening Date

04/27/2026

Closing Date

5/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

0500

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

DIRECTOR OF NIGHTTIME ECONOMY AND OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Nighttime Economy serves as Detroit's dedicated advocate and strategist for all activities and industries that operate between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am. This is a senior-level, appointed position within the Mayor's office responsible for coordinating city services, policies, business development, and retail and community engagement to ensure Detroit's nights are safe, economically equitable and productive, accessible and culturally rich.

Examples of Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership

• Strategically advise neighborhood Planning and Development engagement and implementation

• Develop and execute a comprehensive nighttime economy strategy aligned with citywide economic development goals

• Identify opportunities to expand and diversify nighttime offerings, including arts, culture, dining, and entertainment

• Analyze data and trends to inform policy and program decisions

• Build a network of partners that may then be directed to procurement opportunities through OCP

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the central point of contact for nightlife businesses, residents, and community organizations

• Build partnerships with hospitality, entertainment, tourism, and transportation sectors

• Facilitate collaboration between public safety agencies and nightlife stakeholders

• Engage with key demographics and their representative Departments around key nighttime activities and opportunities: Immigrants and non-English speakers (OIA), youth (Office of Youth Affairs), seniors (Office of Senior Citizen Affairs), block clubs (DONs), and faith based organizations (Faith Based).

• Policy & Program Development

• Recommend policies, ordinances, and regulatory improvements that support a thriving nighttime economy

• Oversee initiatives related to licensing, permitting, zoning, and compliance

• Develop programs that promote responsible business practices and harm reduction

• Engage with State-level representation around incentive programs that drive economic opportunities

• Public Safety & Quality of Life

• Coordinate with law enforcement, emergency services, and health departments to promote safe nightlife environments

• Address community concerns related to noise, congestion, and public behavior

• Support initiatives that improve transportation and accessibility during nighttime hours

• Economic Development & Promotion

• Promote the city as a destination for nightlife and cultural experiences

• Support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creative industries operating at night

• Lead marketing and promotional campaigns in collaboration with tourism and economic development agencies

• Operations & Performance Management

• Establish metrics to evaluate the success of nighttime economy initiatives

• Prepare reports, briefings, and presentations for executive leadership and elected officials

• Manage budget, contracts, and staff (if applicable)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business, Economic Development, or a related field (Master's preferred), or relevant experience

• 7 - 10 years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, public policy, urban planning, hospitality, or a related field

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and private sector partners

• Strong understanding of Detroit nightlife, entertainment, and hospitality industries

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in municipal government or large, complex organizations

• Knowledge of licensing, zoning, and regulatory frameworks affecting nightlife businesses

• Background in community engagement, conflict resolution, or public safety coordination

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives or public-private partnerships

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and visioning

• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management

• Policy analysis and development

• Communication and public speaking

• Conflict resolution and negotiation

• Data-driven decision making

• Cultural competency and inclusiveness

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.

• Dental

• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.

• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave

• Vacation

• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS

The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

City Employees Retirement System

As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:

• Completion of thirty (30) years of service;

• At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or

• At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.

• In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);

• An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;

• Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.

Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed:

• High School Diploma/GED

• Associate's Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• PhD/J.D.

• No Education experience

  02

  How many years of experience do you have in economic development, nighttime, entertainment and hospitality industries?

• Less than 7 years of experience

• 7 or more years of experience

• No Experience

  03

  Which of the following best describes your relevant professional experience? (Select all that apply)

• Experience developing long-term strategies and translating vision into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.

• Proven ability to build, manage, and sustain effective relationships with diverse

• Experience researching, analyzing, and developing policies and programs that support organizational and community goals.

• Strong ability to present information clearly, engage diverse audiences, and represent organizations in public forums.

• Experience using data, metrics, and evaluation tools to inform decisions and improve program outcomes.

• Demonstrated skill in mediating disputes, faci