Salary: $150,000.00 - $179,079.00 Annually
Location : City of Wichita - City Hall, KS
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: Economic Development Director
Department: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Bargaining Unit: 1000

Distinguishing Features of Work
The City of Wichita seeks a dynamic, forward-thinking leader to boldly chart the City's economic future as its Economic Development Director. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader who's ready and able to push the largest city in Kansas toward what's next. As the City's chief economic development strategist, the director will collaborate with development professionals to set the vision for business recruitment, retention, redevelopment, and investment by turning ambitious goals into tangible results, and turning relationships across the community into momentum.

This is a role built on connection. The director will be the trusted bridge between City Hall and the business community, elected officials, developers, and the region's key economic partners. The ideal candidate will lead with integrity and sound judgment, but also with hustle: a leader unafraid to seek out partners, test new approaches, and champion the kind of collaborative, continuous-improvement culture that's already part of Wichita's leadership team.

Paramount to this role is a keen understanding of economic development principles, including background with incentives, and thorough knowledge in building the economic development ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship, small business development and existing business retention and expansion. Familiarity with municipal financial structures, public funding sources, and urban development principles is a must. Wichita has seen significant economic activity over the past five years, particularly in aviation, biomedical, music, tourism and digital arts with more planned in the next three years. This position will help unlock new possibilities, fuel investment, and build an even stronger economic future for Wichita.

Collaborating with the City Manager and reporting to the assistant city manager for development services and quality of life, the director will be challenged to expand the City's tax base, create jobs, revitalize commercial corridors, and encourage investment across every corner of the community. The director will bring a tested command of leading economic development initiatives and creatively generating investments in the community. This is a chance to help write the next chapter of Wichita's Strategic Plan with the long-term vision, moxie, and mandate to make the City think bigger.
First review of applications will be September 18, 2026. Posting may remain active until position filled.
Examples of Work Performed

• Formulates and establishes work goals, policies, and procedures for the Economic Development Division.
• Formulates responsive but consistent criteria for City involvement in economic development and redevelopment projects.
• Implements, recommends, and updates the City's guidelines for Economic Development.
• Oversees financial analysis and implementation of economic development and redevelopment projects.
• Prepares economic development and redevelopment incentive proposals and public/private partnerships for business recruitment and expansion.
• Maintains positive and productive relationships with the City's key economic development partners, including the Greater Wichita Partnership, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Visit Wichita, Downtown Wichita, and the Kansas Department of Commerce.
• Oversees monitoring of local businesses having received financial incentives/assistance from the City.
• Oversees management of City-owned real estate, including parking resources.
• Oversees coordination and improvement of City services to the real estate, development and general business communities.
• Implements and coordinates a robust business retention program that encourages local businesses to expand operations.
• Conducts research to produce reports for internal departments, policy-making bodies, citizen groups and/or representatives of other agencies.
• Oversees grant management.
• Advises the City Manager, City Council and City departments on economic development matters relating to City programs and services.
• Serves as liaison and makes presentations to City departments and other agencies, councils, boards, commissions, the media, the development community, elected officials, and the general public.
• Participates in a variety of teams, groups, and meetings.
• Conducts due diligence analysis of prospective projects and/or programs.
• These examples are not intended to be all inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Thorough knowledge of municipal financial structures and political processes.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of and options for economic development and redevelopment projects.
• Knowledge of the principles of economics, organization and management.
• Develop a comprehensive and robust economic development program to grow the tax employment base in the city.
• Develop a multi-faceted economic development program that focuses on business recruitment, as well as business expansion, entrepreneurship and small business formation and growth.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
• Knowledge of public funding sources.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of other department employees.
• Ability to use a computer to access, record, and interpret information, and for electronic spreadsheet development, using complex mathematical and statistical operations.
• Ability to review financial/accounting procedures, perform administrative analysis and report results.
• Ability to create and review financial proformas with multiple year financing and forecasting models.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations and other stakeholders in urban development activities.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, plans and specifications, including zoning maps and plats.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and make presentations.
• May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.

Experience and Training

• Four-year college degree in business or public administration, finance, economics, urban planning, or other field closely related to the job responsibilities.
• Ten years of economic development experience in public or non-profit sector, with three years in a director role.
• Five years experience in public or private financial management and analysis, preferably related to urban development
• An understanding of Kansas Economic Development incentives (STAR bonds, TIF, CID, tax abatements, infrastructure investments)

Preferred Experience and Training

• Master's degree in a related field
• Certification in Economic Development CEcD

A cover letter including major responsibilities and accomplishments plus a detailed resume is mandatory at application (submit online, in the attachments section). A minimum of three (3) professional references is requested at application.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:
CITY OF WICHITA

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

1. VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.

2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.

3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.

4. HEALTH INSURANCE - UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered - Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
6.LIFE INSURANCE - Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE - Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE- The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.

9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.

10.RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.

11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
12. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE - This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
13.MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Deferred Compensation Investment Program
Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)
Bereavement Pay
Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
Voluntary Shared Leave Program
Training Programs
Longevity Pay
Credit Union
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Injury Leave (on-job injury)
Community Volunteer Events
01

The following verifies my highest level of education..

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate
• I do not have any of the degrees or education listed above.

02

I have a bachelor's degree or higher in the following discipline(s)...

• Public Administration
• Finance
• Economics
• Urban Planning
• Other field closely realted to the job responsibilities
• Other Discipline
• I do not have a bachelor's or higher degree.

03

I have the follow years of experience in economic development in public or non-profit sector

• 1 to 3 years of experience
• 4 to 6 years of experience
• 7 to 9 years of experience
• 10+ years of experience
• I do not have experience in economic development in public or non-profit sector

04

I have the following years of experience in a Director level role.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5+ years
• I do not have HR experience at the Assistant HR Director or HR Director level.

05

I have the following years of experience in financial management.

• 1 to 2 years' experience
• 3 to 4 years' experience
• 5 to 6 years' experience
• 7+ years' experience
• I do not have financial management experience

06

Please describe your experience and understanding of Kansas economic development incentives, including STAR Bonds, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Community Improvement Districts (CID), tax abatements, and infrastructure investments. Provide specific examples of how you have used or evaluated these incentives in an economic development project.
07

Are you currently a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)

• Yes
• No

08

I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No

Required Question