Director of Economic Development

Overview

The City of College Park seeks a Director of Economic Development to play an active role in the City’s operational success. The purpose of the position is to manage the development of the City. Successful performance helps ensure the orderly development of the City, affects the quality of economic opportunity for city residents, and affects the image of the City.

• Provide business development and financing advice to local business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate target marketing of the City to new business development and business expansion efforts through meetings and various advertising strategies.
• Manage and negotiate the sale and disposition of City-owned real estate and right-of-ways.
• Handle a variety of land acquisition projects.
• Facilitate meetings between developers, real estate investment trusts, engineers, and architects to promote business activity within the City.
• Aid in the development of short and long-term economic and community development plans, including gathering information and preparing studies, reports, and recommendations; prepare and maintain information on utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing tools, and incentives to respond to information requests for economic development and coordinate with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Provide professional economic development advice, assist in the application and permitting process, and serve as an advocate for economic development in line with the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, and goals established by the City Manager.
• Promote redevelopment projects (e.g., 6 West Redevelopment Project) and support the orderly development of projects within designated areas.
• Work closely with relevant boards and commissions to identify areas of concern in promoting business location and expansion.
• Maintain liaison with local, state, and federal agencies, coordinating projects as needed.
• Provide information or make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the general public on economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
• Familiarize with inventory of available buildings and development sites, including public and private spaces.
• Prepare grant proposals and applications, contracts, and other documents as required for community services.
• Serve as a member of economic development groups or task forces at local, state, or federal levels when deemed appropriate.
• Assist with negotiation and management of professional service contracts, property sales or acquisition, and economic development negotiations as assigned.
• Administer the City’s Micro Loan Program.
• Monitor legislation and regulations related to economic development and report findings to appropriate parties (e.g., City Manager, BIDA, City Council).
• Plan, direct, and supervise Economic Development employees engaged in day-to-day activities related to business recruitment and retention.
• Schedule, assign, inspect, and evaluate work; train staff; monitor daily work; review and evaluate employee performance.
• Develop and recommend the annual department operating budget; monitor and administer the approved budget.
• Engage developers and investors as part of new business development and expansion efforts.
• Provide administrative and technical support to the City’s Main Street Program.
• Develop strategies to eliminate blight and stimulate development in target districts.
• Conduct demographic and market trend analyses of the City.
• Coordinate strategies with the Planning & Zoning Department to help eliminate blight.
• Serve as liaison for the College Park Business and Industrial Development Authority.
• Perform other duties as required; the omission of specific duties does not preclude assignment of related duties.

We seek candidates who are flexible, well-organized, creative, inquisitive, resourceful, detail-oriented, ethical, collaborative, and committed to inclusive educational excellence. The ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks in a dynamic environment while maintaining quality work products is essential. The candidate will have experience planning, directing, and…