DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

The City of Stockton is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Economic Development. This executive-level position is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing comprehensive economic development programs and initiatives that support business attraction, retention, expansion, and redevelopment throughout the City.

Under administrative direction of the City Manager or Deputy City Manager(s), plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the programs and activities of the City’s Office of Economic Development within the City Manager’s Office. This position is responsible for advancing the City’s economic vitality by attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses; promoting equitable economic growth; and implementing strategies that align with the City’s goals and priorities.

This single position class serves as a contact and liaison point regarding Economic Development activities, and has director level responsibility for overall policy development, program planning, fiscal management, administration and operation of the Office of Economic Development. The Economic Development Director performs work that is of high complexity and often requires the ability to reason through and solve complex economic development problems to allow the City of Stockton to achieve its critical economic development goals and objectives. The incumbent operates with a high degree of independence, political acumen, and accountability, and plays a key role in shaping the City’s economic future. This position requires extensive collaboration with internal departments, external partners, and the community to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Stockton.

• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Office of Economic Development that are in alignment with the City’s vision, goals and objectives; prepares and administers the division’s budgets.
• Provides administrative direction to activities relating to the effective use of programs, projects, personnel, resources, facilities and equipment related to the Office of Economic Development.
• Supervises, coordinates and participates in the management of assigned projects; assigns, supervises and reviews the work of project management staff and contractors; reviews and updates project plans; coordinates and assists other agencies to secure grants and/or funding.
• Works closely with the City Manager, City Council, other City departments, a variety of public and private organizations, and citizen groups in developing programs and implementing projects to solve problems related to the community’s Economic Development function; advises the City Manager and City Council on related issues and programs.
• Develops and implements a plan to include attraction and retention of businesses and other regional economic partners.
• Acts as liaison and makes public presentations to other city/county departments, regional agencies, state/federal agencies, legislative agencies, private business firms, developers, brokers, potential investors, local organizations, property owners, and the general public as appropriate on matters relating to the economy and economic development.
• Acts as lead on proposed and referred development projects, answers development questions, handles issues; tracks and responds to project proponents.
• Determines entities and/or representatives to be included in technical team meetings to review specific proposed projects. Schedules and invites representatives to meetings; and develops and evaluates Requests for Qualifications and Requests of Proposals
• Negotiates and administers contracts between the City and consultants.
  
  

Education/Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, economics, urban planning or a closely related field and four (4) years of professional level experience in economic or business development activities. Experience working in or with public sector agencies, preferably in California or similar communities, is highly desirable.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• Principles, practices and techniques related to economic development, real estate development, business financing, employment development, and related programs, particularly in diverse and growing communities;
• Programs and methods of improving the economic development climate within the City;
• Federal, state and local legislation, ordinances, policies, procedures, and trends related to the work;
• Development, financing and operation of businesses; financial considerations in real estate transactions, investment strategies; theory, principles and practices of land use, physical design, economic, environmental and/or social concepts to the planning process;
• Short-term and long-term economic trends in local, county, state and national economy;
• Basic administrative, and budgetary principles and practices;
• Principles and techniques of public information dissemination and media relations;
• Functions and organizations of a municipal government;
  
  

Skill In

• Developing, implementing and evaluating complex economic development programs, related to such areas as business development, real estate development and employment development;
• Coordinating and providing liaison among various agencies and organizations;
• Organizing work, setting priorities and exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Interpreting and applying complex rules, regulations, laws and ordinances;
• Making persuasive oral presentations;
• Maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, concise and effective correspondence, media materials, public and educational materials, reports and other written materials;
• Providing technical assistance and staff leadership to various boards and commissions;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work.
  
  

Physical/Mental Abilities

• Mobility - Frequent sitting for long periods of time while operating a keyboard required; occasional standing and walking for long periods of time;
• Lifting - Occasional lifting of 10 pounds or less;
• Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for used of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
• Dexterity - Frequent holding, grasping, repetitive motion and writing;
• Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone;
• Special Requirements - May require weekend or evening work;
• Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration and decision making; frequent public contact; occasional working alone and traveling;
• Environmental Conditions - Occasional exposure to noise and outdoor conditions; and
• Working Conditions - Typically moderately quiet, but may be loud at times and at some locations.
  
  

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.