Assistant Director of Economic Development

Salary: $98,684.72 - $123,617.10 Annually
Location : City Hall, 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: City Manager's Office
Division: Economic Development
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A

General Summary
The Assistant Director of Economic Development performs complex professional work assisting the Director with the coordination of business development and retention efforts of the City, including managing business retention efforts, and marketing and communication for the Office. Works with substantial discretion and within broad parameters. Reports to the Director of Economic Development.

To learn more about the City's Office of Economic Development and its current initiatives, please visit:
The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $98,684.72 - $123,617.10 annually.Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Up to 40 hours of discretionary administrative leave per calendar year
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan.

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Assists the Director in the overall management of the office, including supervising and monitoring staff; coaching, training, and having substantial input on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluations, and work assignments.
• Assists the Director with budget preparation, reporting, and procurement.
• Manages, develops, and implements a successful business retention strategy, focused on assisting the growth of existing and new businesses; including a robust annual business visitation program, additional outreach efforts, and related programs.
• Represents the City and the Economic Development Office in the community and serves on various boards and commissions as assigned.
• Works with Director to lead targeted business attraction initiatives, in coordination with state and regional partners, to reach prospective companies through qualified business development leads.
• Supports the department's strategic planning efforts by assisting the Director with the development and implementation of policies, establishing priorities, aligning resources, and implementing initiatives that advance departmental and organizational goals.
• Builds and maintains professional and effective relationships with businesses to understand needs, opportunities, and concerns.
• Leads the department's research and data efforts, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting economic, demographic, market, and industry data to identify trend, inform strategic decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and communicate actionable insights to internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates effectiveness of programs and methods, and advises Director.
• Develops and manages the department's social media strategy, including content planning, creation, coordination, and performance monitoring, to increase engagement, promote department initiatives, and effectively communicate the community's economic development story.
• Conducts and delivers promotional and informational presentations in support of the City's economic development efforts to appropriate audiences, including but not limited to businesses, city council, civic organizations, community partners, and others.
• Manages technology and data infrastructure to support business development and marketing within the department.
• Manages property database by analyzing real estate market trends and verifying opportunities within the marketplace.
• Represents economic development interests in policy and planning discussions with city staff, policymakers, and partners.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Analyzes commercial and industrial real estate market trends and transactions to assist with developing and promoting commercial sites.
• In the absence of the Director, oversees Economic Development Office operations.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in economics, finance, marketing, communications, business/public administration, urban planning, or a related field AND at least 3 years of experience working in economic development, small business initiatives, and/or marketing and events.

OR

• Associate's degree, or 60 or more college credits, from an accredited college/university in economics, finance, marketing, communications, business/public administration, urban planning, or a related field AND at least 5 years of experience working in economic development, small business initiatives, and/or marketing and events.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred:

• Experience with online Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, databases, and resources for economic and workforce development or other similar tools;
• Economic development training courses completed through IEDC or OU-EDI; CEcD certification.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of economic development.
• Knowledge of marketing and financial principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities and programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public business administration.
• Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex written materials such as books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. Ability to analyze market data and trends.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, and the public. Examples include contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Administrative Direction: normally completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. Overall results determine job performance. Requires ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities.Intermediate skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Assists in budget preparation, has responsibility for monitoring a project or activity budget. May recommend budget allocations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assists the Director in supervising, training, coaching, and monitoring performance for a regular group of employees or department. Input carries substantial weight or makes final decisions on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluation and work assignments.

Other Characteristics

• Time pressures.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, time management and customer service skills.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated, and/or upset individuals.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
• Must constantly move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.