Economic Development Manager

Economic Development Manager

We are currently recruiting qualified applicants for Economic Development Manager. Come see why the City of Golden is the place you want to be! Being a Golden employee is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. Golden is a vibrant outdoor community making it a great place to live, work and play. Work near great restaurants and shops, hit the trails, and enjoy the outdoor scenery of Clear Creek and the foothills. Convenient commuting from all directions.

Paid vacation starts at 16 days (that's over 3 weeks!), plus 12 days of sick time and 12 paid holidays each year. The City matches up to 8% of your retirement contributions, plus offers a full-spectrum of benefits and perks, including tuition reimbursement!

Under the direction of the Community Development Director, provides expert leadership for the Economic Development Department, including business retention, expansion, recruitment, and redevelopment. The successful candidate will :

• Serve as Executive Director for the Golden Urban Renewal Authority and the Downtown Development Authority and provide operational management
• Serve as the primary contact for businesses, catalytic projects, and the City's representative to the business community.
• Apply professional knowledge and skills to affect research, analysis, planning, and implementation of economic development programs.
• Provide operational management for regular Economic Development Commission activities and supervision of staff.

The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics :

Job Summary

Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Economic Development Department. Identifies and implements strategic, near-term and long-range planning and programmatic elements to achieve economic development goals and objectives outlined. Creates an annual action plan and identifies resources needed. Serves as a liaison for economic development activities with regional agencies and organizations, such as workforce training and industry trade organizations. Acts as liaison to city council and the economic development community, including outside government agencies, non-profits, and businesses, as well as entrepreneurial and civic / community groups, regarding issues of economic concern, development proposals, and projects. Serves as a liaison between property owners, businesses, City staff, and others regarding catalytic development projects and programs.

Serves as the first point of contact for catalytic projects. Responds to citizen inquiries, complaints, and assists in the development and implementation of solutions for catalytic projects; refers to appropriate staff for next steps and follows up to ensure timely resolution and excellent customer service. Provides guidance to development applicants to recommend the most viable process and options for a project. Engages the public and community groups to improve and enhance business and resident involvement. Works with the Economic Development team to counsel and support small-business owners on ways to improve business vitality.

Coordinates site visits to major businesses with department heads and council members. Supports the Economic Development team to assist commercial brokers in locating tenants for key development sites, including providing demographic and site planning information. Works closely with the Communications Department to conduct marketing of the City's economic development program and City services. Assists in the preparation and submission of proposals for funding economic development activities. Supports the update of existing City economic development data, and develop efficient methods of maintaining current, needed data on real estate trends, employment / training efforts and related issues. Analyzes and interprets market information regarding a variety of complex data, such as sales tax revenues, employment trends, and development trends.

Makes presentations to businesses and community groups. Coordinates the preparation and implementation of special projects and events for the business community. Prepares written and oral reports for Authorities, Boards, Commissions, and the City Council. Works closely and collaboratively with the Planning Department and the Golden Chamber of Commerce on a variety of activities. Assists in budget preparation, as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Direct supervision of Economic Development staff. Responsible for selection, training, development, and performance management of personnel.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in economic development, urban planning, marketing, business administration, public administration, or related field. Minimum five (5) years' experience working as a project manager, planner, consultant to community groups by developing programs, providing customer service and advocating for community needs. Minimum two (2) years of formal staff supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of formal education and related work experience produces the knowledge, skill and ability required to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

Must possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Language skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and / or boards of directors.

Mathematical skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other skills and abilities Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally. Ability to work with people in difficult situations. Must exhibit an extremely high degree of independent action, proactively working with department heads, appointed boards and commissions, citizens, developers, as well as City Manager and City Council. Skill in public and interpersonal relations in a group setting or in a one-to-one situation.

Materials & equipment directly used Telephone, copier, computer, printer, camera, AV equipment, and fax machine. Physical demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to hold, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and / or move up to 100 pounds. Work environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

City of Golden is an Equal Opportunity Employer.