The City of Gresham, Oregon is recruiting for an Executive Director to direct the city team responsible for implementing the Gresham Redevelopment Commission’s (GRDC) annual work plan. The Executive Director is responsible for all staff work on Urban Renewal projects, and supports the Redevelopment Commissions’ decision making process. The Executive Director serves as project manager on critical, high profile projects, directs a staff of two employees, directs the work of other internal city staff contributing to projects and manages the work of external consultants. This position reports directly to an Assistant City Manager and acts as Executive Director reporting to the GRDC.  

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in urban renewal efforts, project development, project management, public and private development and real estate transactions, and fiscal management. The successful candidate will have executive level managerial experience and a proven record of developing strong alliances with the public, the development community, agency staff and commissions. The Executive Director will manage one active urban renewal district in the Rockwood area of the City with the potential of additional urban renewal districts in the future.       

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve, and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.   

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Description

The individual in this position directs, manages, plans, and organizes urban renewal functions and serves as Executive Director of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission.

What You Will Get To Do:  
The list of duties is a representative sample of the work and does not include all the essential or marginal duties that may be assigned to a position. The incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties:
 

• Plans, organizes, manages, and administers urban renewal functions to achieve goals within budgeted funds and available personnel and resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments, reviews progress, directs changes in priorities and schedules as needed to assure work is completed in an efficient and timely manner.  
• Implements the Gresham Redevelopment Commission annual work plan including developer solicitation and marketing strategies; develops and implements program and strategic planning; 
• Establishes policies, procedures, and business practices; evaluates goals, objectives, priorities, and activities to improve performance and outcomes; recommends and establishes administrative controls and improvements; develops procedures to implement new and/or changing regulatory requirements.
• Serves as project manager on critical, high-profile projects; initiates and negotiates projects that maximize private investments; analyzes and determines project and initiative priorities; 
• Directs the preparation and administration of the Urban Renewal Agency budget and Capital Improvement Plain in accordance with Renewal Plan goals.  Develops program revenue projections and recommends strategies for issuance of debt to meet program needs; 
• Directs strategic redevelopment efforts, including developer solicitation and marketing strategies; implements a strategic approach to revitalization, including commercial, retail/institutional, and residential/mixed use infrastructures.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the department budget and the Capital Improvement Plan; develops justifications for budgetary recommendations and/or adjustments; participates in forecasting additional funds for staffing and resources; identifies, obtains, and manages funding from grants and community partners; develops revenue projections and recommends strategies for issuance of debt; participates in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts, including developer and property management agreements.
• Directs the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and review of the work of a diverse workforce; acts as a resource and provides direction, guidance, and leadership to staff; advises on the more complex and sensitive concerns and issues; provides guidance and assistance to supervisors/managers in resolving personnel issues; may select, direct, and manage the work of consultants.
• Provides expert guidance to other departments, the general public, and/or outside agencies; represents the City to the public, elected officials, other agencies, governments, and organizations including making presentations, participating in meetings, and conducting community outreach; acts as a representative on committees, interagency task forces, and special projects; creates and enhances collaborative relationships with developers; facilitates partnerships with local business institutions, neighborhoods, and residents; responds to and resolves confidential and sensitive inquiries; investigates complaints and recommends corrective actions as necessary.
• Analyzes and reviews federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in order to ensure compliance; conducts analysis on best practices and trends and formulates and implements recommendations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Qualities We Are Looking For:

Collaborative / Relationship Building: Bring internal and external stakeholders together to aid in decision making and action plan implementation. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all these contacts including senior City management, employees, Commission members, other agencies, and the general public.  Act with political awareness and tact. Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.  

Communication: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups regarding complex or sensitive issues or regulations.  Knowledge of communication principles, practices, and techniques.  Communicates project progress to appropriate groups according to measurement criteria using reports and presentations.  Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters.  

Financial and Business Acumen:  Budget development and preparation, revenue projections, expenditure control, record keeping and fiscal management principles and practices.  Knowledge of City government administration, organization, functions, and services.  Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment.  

Managing Performance: Ability to effectively manage the urban renewal functions and achieve high degree of commitment from employees.  Strong supervisory principles and practices.  Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations.  Oversee a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services.  

Large Program Management (Administrator): Analyze, organize and develop action plans, set priorities and project manage. Develops project budgets, timelines, and deliverables; organizes, facilitates, and participates in meetings of stakeholder groups to aid in decision making and action plan implementation. Assesses and sets project and initiative priorities according to the Assistant City Manager and/or Council and Gresham Redevelopment Commission direction. Prepares appropriate recommendations or decisions for City Manager for GRDC and City Council approval and adoption; identifies and manages desired outcomes and expectations; and prepares and presents status reports defining progress, problems, and solutions. Knowledge of principles and practices of project management and leadership theories and practices.  Ability to influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities.  Demonstrated knowledge of community involvement methods and practices. Ability to resolve complex problems and facilitate and make decisions at a high level of complexity.  

Expert in Urban Renewal: Becomes a subject matter expert of current practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques of urban renewal including current and proposed legislation and laws of the local, state, and federal. Identifies and responds to public and Gresham Redevelopment Commission issues and concerns. Knowledge of Public and private development, real estate transactions, and economic development. Advanced understanding of physical project development, development planning, financial fundamentals and contract management.    

Qualifications

 
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate Development, Business Management, or related field 
• Three (3) to six (6) years of professional and responsible experience related to Urban Renewal districts, public and/or private real estate development, project management, and policy development.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to seven (7) to ten (10) years is qualifying.   

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience working in Urban Renewal, preferably within the public sector.
• Demonstrated experience working with and presenting to public bodies, such as City Councils, Advisory Boards, Regional Councils and Commissions. 

Other Requirements and Certifications

• Valid Driver License 

Selection Process

To apply for this position, please click on the link provided in this job posting.
 
Required Application Materials:

• Complete online application (do not write "see resume")
• Answers to supplemental questions
• Resume (limit of two pages in length preferred)
• Cover letter (limit of one page in length preferred) describing interest in the position and summarizing related experience

 
If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HR@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2800, upon submitting the required documents.
 
 A review of application materials submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.
 
 Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.
 
 Veteran's Preference
 The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
 
 Our Commitment
 The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.
 
Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2800 or HR@GreshamOregon.gov.
 
If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855- 524-5627.
 
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background and driver license checks.