Position is responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and oversight to the Engagement division. The Engagement Administrator serves as a key connector between the Department and external stakeholders, including community partners, neighborhood residents, and elected officials. This role is responsible for fostering meaningful relationships, supporting community development, and managing high-impact programs and projects that advance neighborhood revitalization, small business growth, and cultural vibrancy.

Agency Summary

The purpose and mission of the Department of Metropolitan Development works to shape the city’s identity by strengthening people and places, building upon our history, and fostering visionary development. The DMD agency envisions the city as a growing, vibrant, and beautiful city where people are businesses thrive in an inclusive, world-class community. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the residents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain partnerships with Community Development Corporations (CDCs), nonprofit organizations, and key community stakeholders to support grassroots initiatives and local capacity building.
• Lead in the development of planning processes, community engagement and public education events, activities, and programs, and manages stakeholder committees, task forces, and other groups for key initiatives.
• Manage the development and execution of community engagement plans for planning projects and builds long-term relationships with engagement partners and stakeholders in Marion County including peer departments and agencies.
• Develop and execute community engagement plans in partnership with project leaders, including devising innovative engagement methods and ensuring populations traditionally under-represented in planning processes are engaged.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Department and the City Council, ensuring transparent and effective communication around policy, projects, and community impact.
• Collaborate with the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advocates to address resident concerns, align on priorities, and strengthen neighborhood engagement.
• Develop public education programs and materials.
• Support the local economic and creative economy through partnerships, programming, and funding opportunities that benefit entrepreneurs, artists, and neighborhood-based enterprises.
• Ensure Department projects, policies, and initiatives are aligned with neighborhood and citywide community development goals.
• Facilitate and coordinate the activities of TIF Advisory Committees, ensuring community involvement in decision-making around economic development resources.
• Lead and support community-focused and city-led redevelopment projects, such as Towne and Terrace, Oaktree, and the former Indiana Women’s Prison, ensuring they are transparent and responsive to community input.
• Track and evaluate the impact and success of neighborhood and community-focused initiatives using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Oversee the Public Art for Neighborhood Fund, promoting creative placemaking and enhancing community identity through public art investments.
• Administer the Cultural District Grant program, supporting local cultural assets and neighborhood-based arts initiatives.
• Manage St’Art Up 317 and other small business support efforts that activate underutilized spaces and strengthen commercial corridors.
  
  This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Real Estate, Community Development, or a related field with a minimum of three (3) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in community engagement, redevelopment, program management, or related fields. Must be knowledgeable of the real estate development process, redevelopment strategies, public art programs, small business support, and local economic development tools, including TIF. Knowledge and abilities in leadership, management, budget, contracts, technologies, personnel and process performance measurement, and principles and practices used in ensuring compliance with appropriate codes and state and federals laws and regulations. Must be able to coordinate and manage multiple projects, manage a high-volume of work and meet deadlines. Proven experience managing complex projects and public programs with a community-centered approach. Leadership and mentoring capacity to oversee a diverse team model and incorporate clear vision and goal setting benchmarks for staff and partners. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Excellent writing and public communications skills required. Public speaking, group meeting facilitation, and community organizing experience. Experience working within or alongside government agencies and/or elected officials. Experience in research, data collection and performance metrics for community initiatives.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications
Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Real Estate, Community Development, or a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in community or economic development. Proficiency in ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Background in creative economy or arts-related programming is a plus. Ability to speak and write intermediate-level Spanish language preferred but not required. Strong knowledge of innerworkings of city government. Proficient in both written and spoken communication.