Under the general direction of the City Manager, serves as the Director of the Office of Strategic Growth and a member of the City's senior leadership team. Provides vision, leadership, and direction for strategic initiatives that promote economic growth, real estate development, neighborhood revitalization, business investment, job creation, and job retention throughout the City.
The Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategics that support private investment, expand the tax base, strengthen neighborhoods, create employment opportunities, and enhance the overall economic vitality and vibrancy of the City. The Director oversees departmental operations, personnel, budgets, and programs; cultivates partnerships with developers, employers, investors, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders: and advises the City Manager and elected officials on matters related to growth, development, and economic competitiveness.
The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment and leadership in advancing the City's strategic growth priorities and ensuring organizational excellence within the Office of Strategic Growth and in its collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Executive Leadership and Administration- Provides overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Office of Strategic Growth.
- Serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team and advises the City Manager and elected officials on strategic growth, development, and economic development initiatives.
- Establishes departmental goals, objectives. policies, priorities, and performance measures.
- Develops, implements, and monitors departmental strategic plans and annual work programs.
- Directs the administration, operations, personnel, and resources of the department.
- Builds and sustains a high-performing organizational culture focused on accountability, innovation, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensures departmental operations align with City goals, policies, and strategic priorities.
- Provides leadership in organizational development, workforce planning, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Oversee departmental staffing, organizational development, performance management, and succession planning initiatives.
Real Estate Development and Redevelopment- Leads efforts to attract, facilitate, and support private and public investment m commercial, industrial, residential, mixed-use, and institutional development projects.
- Identifies strategic development and redevelopment opportunities that support long-tenn community growth and economic vitality.
- Works with developers, property owners, brokers, investors, financial institutions, and public agencies to advance high-quality development projects.
- Oversees the evaluation of development proposals, project feasibility, market conditions, and potential economic impacts.
- Negotiates or oversees staff negotiating development agreements, incentive packages, land acquisition and disposition agreements, and public-private partnerships.
- Facilitates the redevelopment of underutilized, vacant, or strategic properties.
- Coordinates with internal departments and external stakeholders to streamline development processes and facilitate project implementation.
- Supports initiatives that enhance neighborhood investment, revitalization, and economic sustainability.
Business Attraction, Retention, and Expansion- Develops and implements strategies to attract new business investment to the City.
- Leads business retention and expansion efforts to support existing employers and facilitate job growth.
- Cultivates strategic relationships with employers, entrepreneurs, site selection consultants, chambers of commerce, and regional economic development organizations.
- Identifies and promotes opportunities for industry growth, entrepreneurship, high-growth start-ups, and innovation.
- Develops initiatives that strengthen the City's economic competitiveness and employment base.
- Markets the City's assets, opportunities, and strategic advantages to prospective businesses and investors.
Strategic Partnerships and External Relations- Represents the City in interactions with developers, business leaders, residents, community organizations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, regional partners, and economic development organizations.
- Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships that advance strategic growth objectives.
- Serves as a liaison between the City and key stakeholders regarding development and economic growth initiatives.
- Facilitates public engagement and stakeholder involvement in major development and redevelopment projects.
- Delivers presentations and recommendations to elected officials, boards, commissions, community groups, and professional organizations.
Financial Management and Resource Development- Develops and administers departmental budgets and financial resources. including deployment of capital resources that subsidize development.
- Monitors expenditures and ensures responsible stewardship of public funds.
- Identifies, pursues, and secures grants and alternative funding sources to support strategic growth initiatives.
- Oversee administration of economic development incentives. grants, agreements, and financing tools.
- Evaluates return on investment and economic impact of development initiatives and programs.
Personnel Management- Directly supervises the leadership team within the Office of Strategic Growth and oversees management of all staff in the oftice (apx. 11-15 FTEs).
- Recruits, develops, mentors, and retains a high-perfonning workforce.
- Establishes performance expectations and evaluates employee performance.
- Provides coaching, training, and professional development opportunities.
- Resolves personnel issues and promotes a positive and productive workplace culture.
- Ensures compliance with City policies, employment regulations, and human resource practices.
Performance Measurement and Reporting- Establishes key performance indicators and measures departmental effectiveness.
- Evaluates economic impact, investment activity, redevelopment outcomes, and job creation results.
- Prepares reports, recommendations, and presentations for executive leadership and elected officials.
- Monitors economic trends, market conditions, and best practices in dev\!lopmcnt and economic growth.
Other Duties- Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) Knowledge of- Principles and practices of economic development, business attraction, business retention, and business expansion.
- Real estate development and redevelopment processes.
- Commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use development practices.
- Real estate market analysis and development feasibility.
- Public-private partnerships and development financing tools.
- Economic development incentives and funding programs.
- Community development and neighborhood revitalization strategics.
- Municipal government organization, operations, and administration.
- Strategic planning and performance management.
- Budget preparation, financial management, and fiscal administration.
- Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies affecting development and economic growth.
- Principles and practices of leadership, superv1s10n, employee development, and organizational management.
- Community engagement and stakeholder relations. Skill to
- Operate computer hardware, software, and technology systems utilized m municipal administration.
- Utilize data analysis, financial feasibility analysis, and reporting tools to support decision-making.
- Prepare and deliver professional reports, presentations, and recommendations.
- Negotiate agreements and facilitate collaborative solutions among multiple stakeholders.
Ability to- Provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction for the office and more broadly the City.
- Lead, motivate, develop, and retain high-performing employees and management staff.
- Build consensus among elected officials, residents, developers, businesses, and community stakeholders.
- Successfully negotiate or oversee negotiation of complex development agreements and partnerships.
- Analyze economic, financial, demographic, and market information.
- Evaluate development opportunities and make sound business recommendations.
- Manage multiple high-profile projects and initiatives simultaneously.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and interests.
- Foster collaboration across departments and organizational boundaries.
- Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
RequiredEducationandExperience- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economic Development, Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, Finance, Political Science, Economics, or a closely related field.
- Ten (IO) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, real estate development, redevelopment, planning, public administration, business development, or a related field.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications- At least five (5) years of supervisory and management experience leading professional staff and complex organizational initiatives.
- Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA). Business Administration (MBA), Urban Planning, Economic Development, Real Estate Development, or a related field.
- Experience working in local government.
- Experience negotiating complex development agreements and public-private partnerships.
- Experience overseeing redevelopment, economic development, or strategic investment initiatives.
Other Requirements- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings as required.
- Ability to travel for professional meetings, conferences, site visits, and economic development activities.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, ethical leadership, and public service.
Working and Physical Conditions Environmental ConditionsWork is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent interaction with employees, elected officials, developers, business leaders, and community stakeholders. Duties may require attendance at meetings, development sites, construction locations, and community events.
Physical ConditionsRequires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, use standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person and electronically, and travel throughout the community as necessary to carry out assigned responsibilities.
