City of Avondale, AZ
Economic Development Director
City of Avondale, AZ, Avondale, Arizona, United States, 85323
Job DescriptionThe City of Avondale seeks an Economic Development Director to lead Avondale's Economic Development Department. This is a FLSA-exempt, full-time position with benefits. Upon hire, the successful candidate will serve in an at-will employment status.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The Economic Development Director will plan, direct, and supervise the execution of the City’s plans for business recruitment, retention, and expansion. The position implements the City’s vision for growth and development, meeting the needs of the community, and promoting a strong business climate to ensure a high-quality built environment. Leads key initiatives and programs and brings high-quality business to the City. Leads the City’s efforts to support, retain and expand small businesses. Plans, organizes, and directs staff and activities of the Economic Development Department that promotes a high energy can-do work environment while leading a team of professionals. The position works collaboratively with the community, internal customers, and city management; responds to business inquiries; and assists in site selection. Serves as City liaison/ombudsman to the business community. Implements City plans for growth and development (i.e. the BLVD, Health Tech corridor, Old Town etc.) to expand the City’s tax base and increase employment opportunities for its residents.
Essential FunctionsPlans, organizes, and directs the programs, operations, activities, budget, and employees of the Economic Development Department as set forth by the City Council and City Manager. Monitors proposed legislation related to economic development and evaluates the impact to city operations.
Experienced development professional and working manager who leads multiple complex projects, is proactive and looks for innovative solutions. Leads the City’s efforts to diversify the City’s economic and tax base by recruiting new businesses and industries and assisting existing businesses in expansion and retention.
Coordinates Citywide business attraction and retention efforts by working with site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and developers to showcase investment opportunities. Leads the creation and implementation of economic development strategies for the City. Identifies and analyzes business trends, growth, and opportunity sectors, and completes economic and financial studies as necessary.
Directs the preparation and administration of the annual Chamber of Commerce contract with the City for economic development activities. Negotiates development agreements related to Economic Development activities. Develops, proposes, and implements services, programs, and policies for effective recruitment of new industries, new businesses, and new investments in the area.
Proposes and develops policies to stimulate expansion of existing industries, existing businesses, and existing investments in the area. Acts as liaison to existing industrial, commercial and business land and building owners, developers, marketing firms, financial transportation and utility firms, and Federal, State, regional and county agencies regarding loans, grants, data, and educational resources relating to the economic development program.
Coordinates and facilitates with internal city departments, including: Development Services, Engineering, the Fire Department, the City Manager’s Office, the City Attorney’s Office, and Public Works to provide a seamless approach for new projects. Networks within the business and regional economic development organizations; represents and promotes the City through participation on various committees, business round tables, and strategic alliances to develop strong working relationships with key individuals in finance, real estate, development, and business.
Coordinates development team meetings by providing input regarding all City development issues and researching and preparing necessary reports and presentations for city management and city council. Provides input and guidance regarding the development of city incentive programs that promote growth, capital investment, and job creation.
Facilitates the assessment of the local and state economy for strengths and weaknesses to assist in strategy formulation and program development. Collaborates with local educational and training partners to develop job readiness programs that support local businesses and industries; and, creates programs that enhance job opportunities for our local residents.
Researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares studies and reports on a variety of economic and demographic data, including labor market trends and other regional economic planning issues. Makes presentations to businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the city. Represents the City in economic development activities in the most professional manner possible.
Makes presentations to City Council, management team, and the public regarding economic development programs, issues, policies, initiatives, incentives and development agreements.
Produces desirable private investment opportunities and provides support and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; completes yearly evaluations; reviews work for compliance with assigned projects and program priorities; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and, solicits meaningful feedback from employees on policies and procedures.
Serves on boards and committees of community partner organizations to further Avondale’s development, growth, and expansion goals. Attends meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars on economic development and serves as an advocate for business within the City. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Economics, Business or Public Administration, Redevelopment, Urban Planning, Economic Development or related field is required, a Master’s degree is preferred. Seven years of progressively responsible experience in oversight or managing projects and programs in urban economic development economics, business assistance, public facility or infrastructure development, commercial development, public and/or private finance, or workforce development, fiscal planning, budget preparation, and economic development tools and incentives.
Five years of managerial/strategic leadership experience with a medium to large Economic Development department. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and/or International Economic Development Council - IEDC certifications are preferred.
Supplemental InformationWork requires the ability to read complex legal documents, development agreements and contracts, executive business letters and communications, development-related documents, master plans, design guidelines, construction site plans, budget documents, business magazine, journals, newspapers and technical reports, strategic or operational plans.
Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, college algebra, and statistics. Work requires the ability to write communication with executive management, City Council, and business executives, preparing marketing documents, assisting with development agreements, concise and professional letters all at a college level.
Managerial responsibilities include participation and management of City teams with crucial issues including strategic planning and fiscal management, infrastructure planning and development, City building projects, and management of the Economic Development department.
The incumbent has responsibility for the final approval of one departmental budget and presents the budget to the Budget Office and Executive Management and is authorized to approve budgeted expenditures up to the amount that requires the approval of Executive Management.
Work requires managing and monitoring work performance by directing subordinate supervisors or administrators, including making final decisions on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed.
Work is widely varied, involving analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables. Organization-wide policies, procedures, or precedents are developed and/or recommended.
The incumbent in this position contacts others within the organization. These contacts may involve similar work units or departments within the City which may be involved in decision making or providing approval or decision making authority for purchases or projects. In addition, these incumbents work with individuals outside the City who may belong to professional or peer organizations. Working with various state and federal agencies may also be required of the employee. Communicates extensively with the City Manager, City Council, developers / real estate, external clients, customers, allies, business professionals, government officials, and regional, state, and national personnel. Employee must maintain regular attendance. Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The Economic Development Director will plan, direct, and supervise the execution of the City’s plans for business recruitment, retention, and expansion. The position implements the City’s vision for growth and development, meeting the needs of the community, and promoting a strong business climate to ensure a high-quality built environment. Leads key initiatives and programs and brings high-quality business to the City. Leads the City’s efforts to support, retain and expand small businesses. Plans, organizes, and directs staff and activities of the Economic Development Department that promotes a high energy can-do work environment while leading a team of professionals. The position works collaboratively with the community, internal customers, and city management; responds to business inquiries; and assists in site selection. Serves as City liaison/ombudsman to the business community. Implements City plans for growth and development (i.e. the BLVD, Health Tech corridor, Old Town etc.) to expand the City’s tax base and increase employment opportunities for its residents.
Essential FunctionsPlans, organizes, and directs the programs, operations, activities, budget, and employees of the Economic Development Department as set forth by the City Council and City Manager. Monitors proposed legislation related to economic development and evaluates the impact to city operations.
Experienced development professional and working manager who leads multiple complex projects, is proactive and looks for innovative solutions. Leads the City’s efforts to diversify the City’s economic and tax base by recruiting new businesses and industries and assisting existing businesses in expansion and retention.
Coordinates Citywide business attraction and retention efforts by working with site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and developers to showcase investment opportunities. Leads the creation and implementation of economic development strategies for the City. Identifies and analyzes business trends, growth, and opportunity sectors, and completes economic and financial studies as necessary.
Directs the preparation and administration of the annual Chamber of Commerce contract with the City for economic development activities. Negotiates development agreements related to Economic Development activities. Develops, proposes, and implements services, programs, and policies for effective recruitment of new industries, new businesses, and new investments in the area.
Proposes and develops policies to stimulate expansion of existing industries, existing businesses, and existing investments in the area. Acts as liaison to existing industrial, commercial and business land and building owners, developers, marketing firms, financial transportation and utility firms, and Federal, State, regional and county agencies regarding loans, grants, data, and educational resources relating to the economic development program.
Coordinates and facilitates with internal city departments, including: Development Services, Engineering, the Fire Department, the City Manager’s Office, the City Attorney’s Office, and Public Works to provide a seamless approach for new projects. Networks within the business and regional economic development organizations; represents and promotes the City through participation on various committees, business round tables, and strategic alliances to develop strong working relationships with key individuals in finance, real estate, development, and business.
Coordinates development team meetings by providing input regarding all City development issues and researching and preparing necessary reports and presentations for city management and city council. Provides input and guidance regarding the development of city incentive programs that promote growth, capital investment, and job creation.
Facilitates the assessment of the local and state economy for strengths and weaknesses to assist in strategy formulation and program development. Collaborates with local educational and training partners to develop job readiness programs that support local businesses and industries; and, creates programs that enhance job opportunities for our local residents.
Researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares studies and reports on a variety of economic and demographic data, including labor market trends and other regional economic planning issues. Makes presentations to businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the city. Represents the City in economic development activities in the most professional manner possible.
Makes presentations to City Council, management team, and the public regarding economic development programs, issues, policies, initiatives, incentives and development agreements.
Produces desirable private investment opportunities and provides support and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; completes yearly evaluations; reviews work for compliance with assigned projects and program priorities; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and, solicits meaningful feedback from employees on policies and procedures.
Serves on boards and committees of community partner organizations to further Avondale’s development, growth, and expansion goals. Attends meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars on economic development and serves as an advocate for business within the City. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Economics, Business or Public Administration, Redevelopment, Urban Planning, Economic Development or related field is required, a Master’s degree is preferred. Seven years of progressively responsible experience in oversight or managing projects and programs in urban economic development economics, business assistance, public facility or infrastructure development, commercial development, public and/or private finance, or workforce development, fiscal planning, budget preparation, and economic development tools and incentives.
Five years of managerial/strategic leadership experience with a medium to large Economic Development department. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and/or International Economic Development Council - IEDC certifications are preferred.
Supplemental InformationWork requires the ability to read complex legal documents, development agreements and contracts, executive business letters and communications, development-related documents, master plans, design guidelines, construction site plans, budget documents, business magazine, journals, newspapers and technical reports, strategic or operational plans.
Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, college algebra, and statistics. Work requires the ability to write communication with executive management, City Council, and business executives, preparing marketing documents, assisting with development agreements, concise and professional letters all at a college level.
Managerial responsibilities include participation and management of City teams with crucial issues including strategic planning and fiscal management, infrastructure planning and development, City building projects, and management of the Economic Development department.
The incumbent has responsibility for the final approval of one departmental budget and presents the budget to the Budget Office and Executive Management and is authorized to approve budgeted expenditures up to the amount that requires the approval of Executive Management.
Work requires managing and monitoring work performance by directing subordinate supervisors or administrators, including making final decisions on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed.
Work is widely varied, involving analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables. Organization-wide policies, procedures, or precedents are developed and/or recommended.
The incumbent in this position contacts others within the organization. These contacts may involve similar work units or departments within the City which may be involved in decision making or providing approval or decision making authority for purchases or projects. In addition, these incumbents work with individuals outside the City who may belong to professional or peer organizations. Working with various state and federal agencies may also be required of the employee. Communicates extensively with the City Manager, City Council, developers / real estate, external clients, customers, allies, business professionals, government officials, and regional, state, and national personnel. Employee must maintain regular attendance. Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
#J-18808-Ljbffr