Community Development Manager

City of Northfield•Northfield City Hall, MN

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the Community Development Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating the City's economic, housing, and general community development initiatives. This position leads programs and strategies that support business retention, expansion, and attraction; oversees the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) programs; administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) funding; and advances housing initiatives that increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. The position works collaboratively with businesses, developers, community organizations, public agencies, and diverse community members to promote sustainable economic growth, expand the tax base, preserve and increase affordable housing, and support the City's long-term community development goals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in economic development, real estate development, housing development, or a closely related field.
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field
Seven (7) or more years of experience in economic development, real estate development (commercial or housing), housing development, or a closely related field, with experience in affordable housing development preferred.
National Development Council Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification
International Economic Development Council Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Certification
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of community development, housing development, economic development, redevelopment, and public finance.
Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Oversees Economic Development Authority (EDA) activities, including administration of economic development programs and initiatives, preparing agendas, reports, resolutions, contracts, presentations, and meeting materials.
Serves as the primary point of contact for business opportunities and provides information to prospective businesses regarding available commercial, industrial, and redevelopment sites, buildings, and land; City economic assistance programs, zoning regulations, taxes, and other economic assistance information as requested.
Creates, implements, evaluates, and manages local economic assistance programs for business stabilization, retention, growth, and recruitment.
Collaborates and coordinates with other private and public economic programs for businesses in the City.
Develop marketing materials that promote development opportunities and economic development programs.
Administers the City's economic development financing programs, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, tax abatements, revolving loan funds, and other financial incentive programs in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
Reviews, analyzes, and monitors economic trends, demographic data, market conditions, development activity, and community indicators to identify opportunities and make recommendations that support informed policy and program decisions.
Supports and advances the development process for City-owned properties related to both housing and commercial developments under the direction of the Community Development Director.
Leads and coordinates commercial, industrial, mixed-use, affordable housing, and redevelopment projects for private developers from initial inquiry through project completion by working collaboratively with developers, property owners, consultants, utility providers, and City departments.
Participates in the negotiation, preparation, and administration of development agreements, redevelopment agreements, purchase agreements, and other contracts related to economic, housing, and community development projects.
Oversees Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) activities, including administration and coordination of housing and redevelopment programs and initiatives, preparing agendas, reports, resolutions, contracts, presentations, and meeting materials.
Manages the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF), including annual funding allocations, environmental review requirements, compliance monitoring, reporting, and coordination with funding agencies.
Evaluates housing development proposals, redevelopment opportunities, and incentive requests to ensure consistency with City plans, financial objectives, zoning regulations, and community development goals.
Creates, implements, evaluates, and manages local housing assistance programs that support equitable access to homeownership, affordable housing preservation, and the creation of new affordable housing.
Collaborates and coordinates with other private and public housing assistance programs and partners to support housing needs in the Northfield area.
Reviews, analyzes, and monitors housing trends, demographic data, market conditions, development activity, and community indicators to identify opportunities and make recommendations that support informed policy and program decisions.
Assists the Community Development Director in establishing departmental goals, budgets, priorities, work plans, policies, contracts, and performance measures to advance the City's strategic objectives.
Supports broad communication related to the state of the economy, the state of housing, and the state of other community development initiatives.
Identifies grant opportunities and prepares, administers, and monitors grant applications, agreements, budgets, compliance requirements, and reporting related to economic development, housing, redevelopment, infrastructure, and community development projects.
Identifies and cultivates partnerships with businesses, developers, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to advance economic development and housing initiatives.
Leads community engagement efforts to ensure policies and programs are grounded in input from community members with an explicit priority on equity.
Provides excellent customer service to all members of our community, inclusive of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, ages, national or ethnic origins, languages, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, and political affiliations.
Supervises assigned staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, assigning work priorities, conducting performance evaluations, addressing performance concerns, recognizing employee achievements, and making recommendations regarding personnel actions in accordance with City policies.
Advocates for business and development interests within City government while balancing community priorities, regulatory requirements, and long-term planning objectives.
Collaborate with internal departments to coordinate efforts, priorities, and workflow.
Conducts research, prepares technical analyses, develops reports, and manages special projects related to economic development, redevelopment, housing, land use, and community development as assigned.
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.