City of Savannah
Senior Director, Office of Economic Development
City of Savannah, Savannah, Georgia, United States, 31441
PurposeThis position develops and coordinates programs that help revitalize distressed commercial corridors, support business creation and expansion, address barriers to economic growth, and support a fair and diverse local economy.
The City of Savannah offers an excellent benefits package to include twelve (12) paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, education reimbursement, employer home purchase assistance, employee referral program, and a 457B deferred benefit contribution plan.
Essential Job Functions
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
Coordinates, assigns, and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors the status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
Facilitates collaboration among local, state, and federal economic development organizations, public/private, and non-profit organizations to promote sustainable economic development in line with target industries and key corridors.
Manages a strategic portfolio of incentive zones and programs that provide tax abatements, job tax credits, fee waivers, grants, and low-interest financing to foster job creation and private investment in target areas throughout the city.
Develops and implements citywide goals and support services that provide government contracting opportunities to local small and disadvantaged businesses.
Oversees and evaluates the work of contractual agencies that are performing services on behalf of the city to further establish strategic goals.
Works with City Council, leadership, businesses, and other key stakeholders to develop, shape, and implement citywide goals and programs for local small and disadvantaged businesses.
Designs and promotes business development and revitalization opportunities through strategies involving creative and complex financing, public funding and incentives, real estate development, property acquisition, marketing, and technical assistance.
Develops and implements initiatives that address several Savannah Forward strategic goals related to food deserts, poverty reduction, target industries, and workforce development.
Prepares and maintains records to substantiate reports for internal and external purposes; prepares local, state, and federally mandated reports.
Reviews and interprets local, state, and federal regulations and ensures the City is compliant with legal and programmatic requirements.
Prepares grant applications and contracts to secure funds and services for economic development purposes.
Facilitates the cooperative work of contractual agencies that are performing services on behalf of the city to further the city's economic development initiatives.
Strong communication skills both in writing and orally.
Demonstrated experience in creative and innovative development and implementation approaches.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Planning, or Public Administration; with four (4) years of experience in economic development, business and commercial area revitalization; small business development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Requires experience with grant writing, business planning and finance, business investment, and redevelopment projects.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
Additional Requirements: Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
Additional Information
Knowledge of the City Code and City policies.
Knowledge of city budgetary and purchasing procedures.
Knowledge of city personnel policy.
Knowledge of urban development and redevelopment practices and procedures.
Knowledge of the strategies and principles of economic development, business development, and finance.
Knowledge of real estate development, zoning, and land use.
Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of computers and other modern office equipment.
Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.
Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.
Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Minimum Standards
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Chief Officer assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.
GUIDELINES:
Guidelines include City of Savannah policies and procedures, state laws, and city ordinances. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.
COMPLEXITY:
The work consists of varied management duties.
SCOPE AND EFFECT:
The purpose of this position is to direct the operations of the Economic Development Department. Successful performance in this position contributes to a stronger economic foundation for the City of Savannah and improves the quality of life for area residents.
PERSONAL CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically with developers, property owners, real estate professionals, business representatives, representatives of banks and other lending institutions, representatives of state and federal agencies, and members of the general public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, justify decisions, and negotiate and settle matters.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts light objects and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is typically performed in an office.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has direct supervision over Economic Manager, Program Coordinator, Community Project Technician, and Administrative Clerk.
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The City of Savannah offers an excellent benefits package to include twelve (12) paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, education reimbursement, employer home purchase assistance, employee referral program, and a 457B deferred benefit contribution plan.
Essential Job Functions
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
Coordinates, assigns, and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors the status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
Facilitates collaboration among local, state, and federal economic development organizations, public/private, and non-profit organizations to promote sustainable economic development in line with target industries and key corridors.
Manages a strategic portfolio of incentive zones and programs that provide tax abatements, job tax credits, fee waivers, grants, and low-interest financing to foster job creation and private investment in target areas throughout the city.
Develops and implements citywide goals and support services that provide government contracting opportunities to local small and disadvantaged businesses.
Oversees and evaluates the work of contractual agencies that are performing services on behalf of the city to further establish strategic goals.
Works with City Council, leadership, businesses, and other key stakeholders to develop, shape, and implement citywide goals and programs for local small and disadvantaged businesses.
Designs and promotes business development and revitalization opportunities through strategies involving creative and complex financing, public funding and incentives, real estate development, property acquisition, marketing, and technical assistance.
Develops and implements initiatives that address several Savannah Forward strategic goals related to food deserts, poverty reduction, target industries, and workforce development.
Prepares and maintains records to substantiate reports for internal and external purposes; prepares local, state, and federally mandated reports.
Reviews and interprets local, state, and federal regulations and ensures the City is compliant with legal and programmatic requirements.
Prepares grant applications and contracts to secure funds and services for economic development purposes.
Facilitates the cooperative work of contractual agencies that are performing services on behalf of the city to further the city's economic development initiatives.
Strong communication skills both in writing and orally.
Demonstrated experience in creative and innovative development and implementation approaches.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Planning, or Public Administration; with four (4) years of experience in economic development, business and commercial area revitalization; small business development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Requires experience with grant writing, business planning and finance, business investment, and redevelopment projects.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
Additional Requirements: Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
Additional Information
Knowledge of the City Code and City policies.
Knowledge of city budgetary and purchasing procedures.
Knowledge of city personnel policy.
Knowledge of urban development and redevelopment practices and procedures.
Knowledge of the strategies and principles of economic development, business development, and finance.
Knowledge of real estate development, zoning, and land use.
Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of computers and other modern office equipment.
Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.
Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.
Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Minimum Standards
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Chief Officer assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.
GUIDELINES:
Guidelines include City of Savannah policies and procedures, state laws, and city ordinances. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.
COMPLEXITY:
The work consists of varied management duties.
SCOPE AND EFFECT:
The purpose of this position is to direct the operations of the Economic Development Department. Successful performance in this position contributes to a stronger economic foundation for the City of Savannah and improves the quality of life for area residents.
PERSONAL CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically with developers, property owners, real estate professionals, business representatives, representatives of banks and other lending institutions, representatives of state and federal agencies, and members of the general public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, justify decisions, and negotiate and settle matters.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts light objects and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is typically performed in an office.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has direct supervision over Economic Manager, Program Coordinator, Community Project Technician, and Administrative Clerk.
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