Serves as the lead economic development position in the community and is charged with organizing, planning, developing, measuring, leading, communicating and implementing the community’s economic development plan. Expands the wealth of the community through retaining and expanding existing businesses in the community and by recruiting new targeted business sectors to the community. Builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and organizations within the community. Responsible for the leading the economic development team which includes business attraction and retention, convention and visitor bureau (CVB) services, arts and culture activities, and Main Street programing.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

• Confers with and/or actively recruits new and existing businesses to expand in or relocate to Georgetown; facilitates capital investment to increase the City’s tax base and create new jobs.                                                          
• Hires, supervises, and develops staff through review of performance data, conferences, training and counseling; assigns and directs work of staff.
• Organize, staff, budget and implement the strategies and policies defined to achieve the goals and accomplish the vision held for successful economic development.
• Implements City’s strategic plan and vision for economic development; works with City Manager, council and relevant boards to update the economic development workplan.
• Plans, develops, and manages the department’s budget.
• Collaborates with the City Manager and City Council to define and articulate economic development vision, goals, strategies, policies and work plan appropriate to the needs of our city, its citizens and interest groups.
• Works closely with the City Manager, City staff, 4A and 4B boards and the City Council on potential incentive packages for new business and existing retention and expansion projects.
• Markets the City to project stakeholders; identifies best potential projects that may qualify for 4A or 4B funding; conducts background checks and completes financial review of company so that projects brought to the boards and council will be successful if funded.
• Hosts events to inform and interact with interested parties; works closely with volunteer groups that support the economic development workplan.
• Identifies sites and available properties that may be used to locate new or retention expansion projects.
• Coordinates with City staff to identify and address site deficiencies that may cause a site to be less competitive.
• Utilizes internal and external resources to complete site development planning.
• Provides assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and other City staff on matters relevant to the economic development process including infrastructure issues.
• Makes presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, interest groups and to key partners within the community.
• Negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial economic development issues.
• Works on external boards at the state level to impact economic development legislation; interacts with local and state level political representatives to introduce new legislation to achieve community goals.
• Oversee the development of a comprehensive research program, including, but not limited to economic and community data, local business trends, and inventory of sites and buildings for commercial and industrial use.
• Coordinate projects and maintain close working relationships with City Staff and boards and commissions in preparation of plans and specifications for capital improvement projects associated with economic development.
• Work cooperatively with citywide associations and boards to bring integration and coordination to their initiatives which impact economic development within the City and promote good community relations by appearing before these groups.
• Attends economic development conferences and meetings with other public officials and developers.
• Visits plant facilities of numerous Georgetown companies per year as part of the Business Retention and Expansion Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, training and Experience Guidelines

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, community development, economics or a related field from an accredited college or university.  Eight (8) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in sales, marketing, and business development with a state or local agency.  Four (4) years of the required experience must have included multiple program management. OR Any combination of experience, training and/or education that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal administration, organization, functions, and services.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of comprehensive economic development, CVB, Main Street, and arts programs.
• Methods and techniques of effective proposal preparation.
• Local and Regional markets.
• Program management skills and practices applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Research techniques, sources and availability of information.
• Methods of report presentation.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulation.
• Principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups and agencies, private businesses and firms, and other levels of government.
• Economic development practices and trends and ability to apply such knowledge to local situations.
• Supervisory and leadership principles and practices.

Skill in:

• Ability to select, develop, organize, motivate, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Collecting, compiling, analyzing, and evaluating a variety of data.
• Making sound policy and procedural recommendations.
• Appling general management principles to complex situations.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with officials in local, state, and federal government officials, the general public, boards/commissions and the news media.
• Using computer and related software programs.
• Reading and comprehending industry journals and magazines, letters, newsletters, memos and maps.
• Performing mathematical calculations.
• Analyzing and interpreting data; interpreting policies and procedures.
• Exercising tact and diplomacy when dealing with vendors and the public.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Valid Class C Texas driver’s license

Must be able to obtain Passport within agreed upon timeframe.

Certified Economic and Community Developer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, vision, hearing, talking, use of foot controls.

Changes of weather, climate when traveling.  When participating in trade shows may be standing and sitting for extended periods.

The City of Georgetown offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

For more information about the Economic Development Director position click here.

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