Are you ready to be at the heart of the action? The City of Portland is looking for a creative, energetic, and community-minded professional to serve as our first-ever Leisure and Entertainment District (LED) Manager! This is your chance to lead the charge in transforming our 5th and Elm venue and surrounding LED neighborhood into a thriving hub of culture, events, and community life. From concerts and festivals to food truck nights and placemaking projects, you’ll be the spark that helps turn ideas into unforgettable experiences.
This isn’t your typical 9-to-5 desk job. Based at the iconic 5th and Elm facility, you’ll work closely with our private operator, local business owners, and all City departments to coordinate programs, drive economic vibrancy, and make the district the place to be in Portland. You’ll manage contract compliance, champion public-private collaboration, and bring a visionary perspective to how we activate public space year-round. Whether it’s reviewing financial reports or helping launch a new community event, no two days will be the same—and that’s exactly how you like it.
In this role, you will:
- Serve as the on-site City presence at the 5th & Elm venue, responding to public inquiries, addressing operational issues, and ensuring that day-to-day activities run smoothly.
- Coordinate closely with the private Operator, the City Manager’s Office, Parks & Recreation, Library, Facility Maintenance, and other departments to support programming, staffing, and logistics.
- Act as the City’s lead contract administrator, tracking compliance, financial reporting, event production benchmarks, and budget oversight.
- Plan and support community programming, including recurring events like the Farmers Market and Christmas on the Coast, as well as seasonal concerts, wellness activities, and vendor markets.
- Develop and sustain positive working relationships with local business owners, nonprofits, residents, and community stakeholders to ensure the district reflects community needs and interests.
- Prepare monthly dashboards, internal updates, and formal reports for City Council, and participate in annual strategic planning, budgeting, and contract review.
Ideal candidates will have:
- Experience in event coordination, community development, downtown revitalization, or public/private partnerships.
- Strong communication, organizational, and facilitation skills.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and a passion for serving the community.
- A flexible schedule, with availability on evenings, weekends, and holidays to support events and activities.
The LED Manager will enjoy a competitive salary range of $76,841 to $90,955, excellent benefits, and the chance to shape a brand-new role in a rapidly growing city that values innovation and fun. If you're ready to make your mark on one of South Texas’s most exciting projects, we want to hear from you!
This position is open until filled. The first review of applications will begin on July 1, 2025.
THE CITY OF PORTLAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Portland offers a generous benefits package that includes paid health, dental, vision, life insurance and disability insurance, paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. Portland is a TMRS City at 7%, 2:1 match. Optional 457, Roth IRA and Cafeteria Plans available.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Parks and Recreation, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Three (3) years of experience in public engagement, community development, event coordination, or economic development, preferably in a municipal or downtown district setting is preferred.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and navigating public/private partnerships is highly desirable.
To Apply
Applications available online at portlandtx.gov. Completed applications may be emailed to humanresources@portlandtx.gov, hand-delivered, or mailed to the City of Portland, Human Resources, 1900 Billy G. Webb Drive, Portland, Texas 78374. Resumes not accepted in lieu of a complete City of Portland application.
