Assistant City Manager for Development Services and Quality of Life

City of Wichita•City of Wichita - City Hall, KS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Wichita seeks a dynamic, result-oriented and collaborative leader to usher the community into its next era of regional growth and quality development. This position is the perfect combination of (1) overseeing economic development work; (2) supervising and coordinating with city planning, housing, building/construction services and utilities/engineering; and (3) representing the City as a liaison to developers, Greater Wichita Partnership, Kansas Department of Commerce and other key players in commercial development. Under direction of the new and forward-thinking City Manager, the Assistant City Manager for Development Services and Quality of Life also oversees and coordinates zoning enforcement, nuisance abatement, real estate and property management and grant application efforts in support of the community’s development goals and the organization’s policies, objectives and goals. The Development Services Team strives to create a vibrant and strong community with beautiful neighborhoods and a thriving economy to create a high quality of life for the largest city in the state of Kansas. This position is one of two Assistant City Managers appointed by the City Manager. The focus of this position is to perform administrative work planning, directing, and coordinating development services for the City of Wichita, including elements of the city’s strategic plan under their purview. This employee functions as an operational manager which includes interpretation of policies and implementation of programs as directed by the City Manager. Interaction with elected officials and governmental agencies is frequent. Work is directed and reviewed through the establishment of goals and subsequent evaluation of progress toward goal attainment. The Development Services Team provides access to tools and services available to encourage investment in Wichita’s buildings, infrastructure, and workforce to create an environment where businesses will locate and grow in a top 50 U.S. city. This is achieved by serving as the City’s single point of contact for companies and developers during the development process. The Development Services Team provides a variety of real estate and property management services for City departments and offers economic development programs to encourage growth and development: Industrial Revenue Bonds, Economic Development Exemptions, Tax Increment Financing, Community Improvement Districts, Façade Improvements Program and Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond Districts. The Team also focuses on entrepreneurship and small business development, plus retention and expansion of existing companies.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of municipal administration that includes operational functions of various units of government.
Thorough knowledge of economic development principles, policies and tools.
Ability to quickly develop thorough knowledge of regulations, ordinances and laws governing the municipality.
Ability to analyze a variety of administrative problems and make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations, City officials, and the public.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
To live in the corporate city limits
Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economic development, urban planning, or a related field.
A minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible supervisory and managerial experience in leading cross-functional teams, projects and departments.
Experience as a city/county administrator or assistant manager/department director.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, urban planning, or a related field.
Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners as a Certified Economic Developer or as an Economic Development Finance Professional.
A minimum of three (3) professional references is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as Team Leader for functional grouping of development services, departments and staff.
Drives innovation and collaborations to tackle touch community issues and implement big ideas.
Represents the City Manager and City of Wichita at local, regional and national meetings and events.
Participates in the coordination and preparation of the agenda for the City Council.
Drafts policies and regulations for review by City Manager.
Responds to inquiries from the public, civic and professional groups, and the news media in person, by telephone, or by correspondence.
Confers with the City Manager on policy matters and proceeds as appropriate to ensure implementation/compliance.
Provides guidance to Department & Division Directors in implementing governing body and administrative directives.
Communicates with Department Directors to convey and gather information required by the City Manager.
Provides information and staff support at meetings of the City Council.
Approves drafts of operating procedures and directives.
Coordinates interdepartmental activities.
Conducts or participates in special projects.
Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.