Economic Development Manager - City of Blue Springs

Economic Development Manager Job Opportunity – City of Blue Springs, Missouri

About our opportunity:

Are you interested in proactively managing community and economic development programs within a growing suburban community that is part of a thriving major metropolitan area? This opportunity provides broad flexibility to build on and improve established programs to enhance the reach and impact of the Economic Development functions at the City. You will be able to support key development initiatives and impactful projects across the City. As part of the City Development team, including Planning, Economic Development, Codes Administration, Business Licensing, GIS and Code Enforcement, you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to bringing high quality development to the City.

What you will be doing:

Responsible for development, management and administration of the City's economic development program The economic development program will be a comprehensive workforce development and business recruitment, attraction, and retention program developed in conjunction with the Economic Development Council (an appointed advisory board of the City Council) to grow and attract new businesses in order to promote investment, create a sustainable economy, and increase employment opportunities that create long-term value for the community. Performs complex, analytical, and professional-level work which includes evaluating public-private partnerships, project management, and market analyses. Serves as the point-of-contact in the City for economic development, facilitating relationships among the community's civic and business network.

About you:

A successful and driven professional with technical abilities, energy and positive, optimistic attitude that isn't afraid to get their hands dirty doing the necessary work to accomplish the goals of the City, who can lead and support staff and colleagues with a passion for customer service will excel and grow in this organization. The position requires sold knowledge and understanding of economic development tools and methodologies This position requires a self-starter that seeks out projects and takes initiative to drive work towards building the City's economic base. Experience with nonprofit and governmental entities is a plus, as is prior experience in a sales, marketing or business development role. Program management to include establishing metrics and measuring performance will distinguish applicants. A team player who is detail-oriented and highly organized, with adaptability to perform well in a small and dynamic team, and overall, the confidence and capability to represent the City in a professional, ethical, enthusiastic and positive manner.

For more information or to discuss the position further, you are encouraged to contact the Senior Director of City Development, Mike Mallon at  (816)228-0128. Full job description is below:

JOB SUMMARY STATEMENT: Responsible for development, management and administration of the City's economic development program The economic development program will be a comprehensive workforce development and business recruitment, attraction, and retention program developed in conjunction with the Economic Development Council (an appointed advisory board of the City Council) to grow and attract new businesses in order to promote investment, create a sustainable economy, and increase employment opportunities that create long-term value for the community. Performs complex, analytical, and professional-level work which includes evaluating public-private partnerships, project management, and market analyses. Serves as the point-of-contact in the City for economic development, facilitating relationships among the community's civic and business network.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Under general administrative direction, the Economic Development Manager plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Economic Development Division within City Development including programs and projects designed to promote community vitality and encourage efforts to expand the local economy; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies.

2. Identifies potential short and long-term economic development opportunities; plans and coordinates strategies to implement economic development in the City; designs strategies to attract appropriate quality businesses to the City; provides management and overview of proposed incentive projects to the City Council, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission, and other relevant boards and commissions.

3. Proactively promotes the City to industries and identified regional partners to cultivate interest in prospective economic development projects; attends local, regional, state, and federal conferences; builds relationships with business prospects and those directly related with potential new development.

4. Prepares and coordinates proposals and responses to Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposals (RFP), or other real estate requests; conducts site tours and provides information materials; creates public/private partnerships to enhance economic development and retention activities; maintains communication and works closely with a variety of other local, regional, state, and federal agencies to promote economic development opportunities within the City.

5. Coordinates with internal departments and/or consultants to develop marketing and public relations efforts related to economic development; maintains a database of related information; maintains cooperative marketing efforts with a variety of local, state and federal agencies and educational institutions.

6. Reviews and assists in the development and implementation of the City's economic development strategic plan; researches, analyzes and reports on economic and market trends; monitors local, state and federal legislation and regulations relating to economic development; makes recommendations regarding programs, activities, policies and procedures to further development goals.

7. Assists interested businesses and industries in locating sites, securing City approvals, securing financing, or solving other problems involved with relocation or expansion; develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory of available buildings and sites; negotiates for the acquisition/disposition or lease of properties needed for development projects; meets with affected property owners to represent the City's economic development interests; tracks business movement into and out of the City.

8. Consults with their supervisor, the Senior Director of City Development to develop and implement the departmental budget; monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure compliance with approved budget.

9. Oversees and coordinates the City's internal economic development team and acts as a staff liaison between the development community and internal departments to provide oversight of economic development projects. Review, evaluate, and develop recommendations relative to economic development and redevelopment projects, working closely with City departments to ensure adherence to City policies, standards and adopted plans.

10. Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, codes, regulations and Missouri State Statutes; conducts research and maintains an awareness of new issues, methods, equipment, trends and advances in the profession; reads updates and other professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

11. Represent and advance the City's interests at meetings, professional organizations, various committees, and task forces (e.g. Downtown Alive, Chamber, KCADC, etc.). Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed; participates on review committees, policy committees, or other committees; represents the department at community events.

12. Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, marketing materials, resolutions, proclamations, ordinances, grant applications, budget documentation, or other documents.

13. Works closely with the Chamber of Commerce to identify and address areas of concern within the business community and promote business growth within the City.

14. Responsible for all aspects of business retention and attraction activities including business outreach, site visits, marketing/promotional materials, and business assistance. Develop, promote and implement plans, programs, and policies to attract and retain business and industry to the City.

15. Respond to and generate development leads and prospects; initiating and completing business development projects from start to finish.

16. Perform target industry analysis to identify select industry sectors and subsectors best suited for growth and attraction in the City.

17. Perform real estate and corridor analysis to identify commercial spaces needs by sector and areas in the City suited for targeted development.

18. Develop workforce data and programs to assist with recruitment and expansion of target employers.

19. Serve as staff liaison to the Economic Development Council. Responsible for coordination of meetings and events; preparation of presentation and meeting materials. Develop annual plans and goals in conjunction with the Economic Development Council. Track and report City's economic development activities on a routine, scheduled basis.

20. Implement and from time to time update or amend the City's Economic Development Policy. Develops short and long-term economic and community development plans in conjunction with stakeholders.

21. Responsible for addressing inquiries from the public relative to economic development activities. Communicate local and state economic development programs to perspective businesses.

22. Maintains current knowledge of industry, regulatory, and legislative developments affecting local economic development initiatives, services, and functions.

The above duties and responsibilities include those tasks, physical and mental requirements, visual requirement, unique physical surroundings and mental/cognitive abilities required to perform the essential elements of the position.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Special License(s)/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year university in business, urban planning, economics, real estate, public administration or related field.

• CED certification preferred or ability to obtain within 24 months of hire

Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressive professional economic development experience.

• Experience in redevelopment, land development and real estate.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of economic development programming and administration.

• Exceptional oral and written communications skills.

• Political and development acumen

• Ability to tactfully foster and maintain positive working relationships.

• Research, compile, and summarize a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, and respond to adjustment in direction.

• Prepare clear, concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

• Ability to consistently deliver a high level of customer service.

• Attention to detail and results-oriented, takes initiative.

• Drive to innovate, pursue best practices, and take on new challenges.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Ability to work with competing interests towards a common objective.

Mental Requirements

• Must have capacity and demonstrated ability to: understand and apply specific City and department requirements, policies, and procedures when completing tasks; attention to detail to ensure completed projects and assignments are free from unreasonable errors.

• Handle personal and job-related stress in a healthy and productive manner to ensure negative effects do not diminish job performance.

• Strong professional judgement and ability to establish credibility.

• Sound decision-making methodology.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to:

• sit for prolonged periods

• listen to normal conversation

• walk occasionally, and use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls

• reach with hands and arms

• have vision sufficient to see close up and have the ability to adjust focus

• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and transport it 20 feet

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.