Economic Development Director

Job Posting

Freeport, Texas is a Coastal Community located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and 45 miles southwest of Galveston in Brazoria County Texas. Freeport offers enjoyable beautiful beaches, outstanding offshore fishing, as well as a small-town atmosphere. Freeport is home to Port Freeport, one of the most accessible deep water ports on the Gulf Coast. Port Freeport has become one of the fastest growing ports and is a leading economic catalyst for the Texas Gulf Coast.  Port Freeport is achieving remarkable profits, enjoying growth at a phenomenal rate, and creating thousands of jobs in Brazoria County. Freeport is also home to industry leaders such as BASF, Dow Chemical-Olin Corp and Freeport LNG.

The Freeport Economic Development Director is a full-time, paid representative of the Freeport Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), and, as such must represent both the City and the FEDC in an energetic and professional manner to promote the City in its efforts to attract new business and residential development.

The Freeport Economic Development Director reports directly to the City Manager as authorized by the Freeport Economic Development Corporation 4B Board. The Director plans, organizes and implements economic development functions from conception to completion, including business retention, business attraction and incentive programs. He/she implements economic development goals and objectives set forth by the FEDC Board, interfaces with the development community, local businesses and various departments and staff.

Freeport EDC Mission:

The Freeport EDC is funded through 4-B sales tax revenue to establish and maintain a comprehensive economic development program for Freeport through (mission Statement). Additional details of the organization include:

Board of Directors: 7
Total Sales Tax Revenue (2018): $1,200,000
Total Operating Budget (2019): $2,267,000

City Population: 12,169

Salary/ Compensation/Benefits:

Up to $90,000  per year depending upon experience/qualification

Texas Municipal Retirement System, automobile allowance, insurance, professional organizational membership, and relocation assistance negotiable if relocating to City.

For HR purposes, the Director will be employed and paid by the City of Freeport, as an exempt employee, and will receive the standard City of Freeport benefit package (insurance, vacation, etc.) in addition to an agreed-upon yearly salary approved by the FEDC Broad.  An office will be provided at City Hall of Freeport, and regular working hours will be 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with 1 hour off for lunch. Hours maybe changed at the discretion of the FEDC Board and/or City Manager.

Job Qualifications:

The successful candidate must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Economics, Marketing or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Be certified by the National Economic Development Institute or International Economic Development Council’s program for Economic Development Professionals.
• Have a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience directing economic development efforts as Executive Director, Marketing Director, Business Development Director; or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Hold a valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Pass a standard City of Freeport background check and physical/drug screen.
• Possess a successful and measurable record of concrete results in Economic Development.
• Have excellent communication skills: Experienced public speaker, an excellent listener, outstanding writer, and strong interpersonal communicator to small and large group settings. Must be comfortable interacting with the news media and proactive in seeking good publicity for the organization and the city.
• Be a strategic visionary thinker who is able to set sights on a new future, constantly identifying the challenges, and opportunities that exist in the environment, able to think differently about how the environment and businesses operate, and look for new ways to solve these challenges;

Duties, Responsibilities:

• Preparation and maintenance of promotional materials for presentation to prospective applicants or clients.
• Makes recommendations to the FEDC board in regard to economic development related opportunities. 
• Maintains FEDC Web presence.
• Preparation and maintenance of information on utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, services, financing tools, and incentives.
• Preparation and maintenance of area projects, related resources, and needs.
• Maintaining a current database of available real estate, property contacts and prices when available.
• Working closely with the Brazoria County Economic Development Alliance, Brazosport and Brazoria County Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
• Consulting with and referring all client legal questions to the FEDC Attorney.
• Acts as a liaison with various Local, State and Federal agencies, coordinating projects with such agencies as deemed beneficial, necessary and appropriate.
• Provides information and/or makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals and general public on economic development issues, programs, services and plans.
• Assists with negotiation and the management of professional service contracts, property sales or acquisition, and economic development oriented negotiations.
• Works with Economic Development Board to formulate and implement marketing and business attraction strategies.
• Monitors legislation and regulations relating to economic development and report findings to the appropriate impacted parties i.e. the FEDC Board, the City Manager, The City Council, etc.
• Keeps all FEDC board members apprised of ongoing projects and negotiations.
• Maintains strong working relationships with the general public, area businesses, clients, the media and others.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences and subscribes to publications to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of economic development, and to represent the interest of the City of Freeport on matters related to economic development.
• Ability to be a team player with other City staff.
• Preparing and submitting project development information (maps, drawings, draft agreements, etc.), to the FEDC for approval at regular FEDC meetings.
• Represent FEDC at meetings, presentations, trade shows, etc.
• Promote local resources to potential clients such as Brazosport College, Associated Builders and Contractors, industry support services, etc.
• Maintain a statistical database detailing direct impact of FEDC projects (financial, etc.),
• Skilled in idea generation and is committed to achieving outcomes, and consistently produces results based on those ideas;
• Ensure compliance with Open Meetings Act and Public Information requirements.
• Additional Duties as may be Assigned.  

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit cover letter, current resume, completed City of Freeport application and at least five work-related references with contact numbers and emails. First review of applications shall begin on Monday morning, December 6^th , 2021. Finalists will complete a thorough interview and background investigation process to include verification of all credentials and experience. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
 

All submittal must be emailed, mailed or delivered in person to:

City of Freeport

Human Resource Dept.
200 West 2^nd St

Freeport Texas 77541

or

tkelty@freeport.tx.us

Questions about the position may be directed to the City Manager

tkelty@freeport.tx.us

City of Freeport and Freeport EDC are Equal Opportunity Employers Freeport, TX 77541