Development Director

City of Wauwatosa•Wauwatosa, WI

15d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Director serves as the City’s chief development strategist, leading all planning, zoning, economic development, building and safety, code enforcement, and housing functions. Originates, negotiates and executes complex real estate transactions and public-private partnerships to grow the City’s tax base in a way that complements the fabric of the community and furthers the vision of the comprehensive plan, private investment, and ensures long-term economic viability. Manages and directs all Development Department operations and staff. The work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials, residents, businesses, neighborhood groups, developers and other city departments.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in business or public administration, urban affairs, urban planning, or related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience involving extensive experience in community development, redevelopment and revitalization, economic development, tax increment financing, commercial real estate development and deal structuring, planning and zoning, and housing including at least five years at the management level.
Demonstrated experience in providing service and information to commissions, boards, and city councils or similar bodies.
Demonstrated leadership and management skills yielding positive outcomes by staff/team.
Experience in a variety of infrastructure projects, including flood plain and other environmental issues.
Thorough knowledge of theories, laws, principles, practices, methods, and techniques of urban development, redevelopment, revitalization, economic development, housing rehabilitation and development, commercial real estate development, deal structuring, and real estate finance.
Knowledge of building design, construction, and inspection principles.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.
Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Zoom.
Ability to evaluate developer pro formas, project feasibility analyses, and complex financing structures, including tax increment financing, to assess the viability and public benefit of proposed development projects.

Nice To Haves

Significant direct experience in negotiating complex real estate transactions and public-private partnerships preferred.
Planning and/or economic development certifications/designations preferred.

Responsibilities

Initiates, plans, directs, manages, and coordinate all matters related to comprehensive planning, zoning, development and redevelopment, economic development, building and safety, code enforcement, and housing activities that affect the growth and development of the city in a way that complements the fabric of the community and furthers the comprehensive plan.
Acts as the primary liaison and representative of the department with the Mayor, Common Council, Council Standing Committees, Department Heads, residents, business community, and public or private groups.
Serves as the City’s lead negotiator on complex public-private real estate and economic development transactions, including structuring financing packages, evaluating developer pro formas and financial projections, providing zoning and land use direction, executing development agreements, and maintaining sensitive/high-level communication between developers, property owners, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Serves as the Community Development Authority’s Executive Director.
Provides direction and sets standards and guidelines for providing various forms of assistance, including financial, to further all forms of business and housing development.
Oversees all grants within the department, including the approximately $1M Federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funding as an entitlement community.
Oversees the housing rehabilitation loan program utilizing American Rescue Plan and/or Community Development Block Grant funding for low- and moderate-income households.
Coordinates the creation, implementation, and updating of various plans and codes
Proactively innovates on ways to maximize net new construction, whether through large scale development or smaller scale projects, to maximize taxable value and ensure long-term economic viability for the City.
Serves as the City’s primary point of communication and lead negotiator with developers during tax increment financing negotiations, including originating TIF district project plans, negotiating development agreements and land transactions, structuring public incentive packages, managing TIF district compliance and amendments, and executing land acquisitions and dispositions through the Community Development Authority.
Applies extensive commercial real estate development experience to evaluate development proposals, assess project feasibility, attract high-quality private investment, and ensure development outcomes that benefit the City’s long-term tax base and economic health.
Manages the City’s real estate portfolio through the Community Development Authority, including strategic property acquisition at auction, land banking, disposition, and land transfer agreements with developers to facilitate major redevelopment projects.
Leads district-wide repositioning and master planning strategies for large-scale assets, including aging office parks and underperforming retail centers, to transform them into vibrant mixed-use districts that generate sustained economic value and tax revenue.
Compiles, analyzes, and presents to stakeholders and the Common Council data related to commercial real estate, economic conditions, property information, small business and major company activity, commercial and housing trends, employment, and demographic shifts that affect the local economy and real estate market.
Works with the private sector, businesses, business districts, educational institutions, Chamber of Commerce, and lending institutions to develop and foster recruitment of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing businesses.
Recommends and applies for applicable Federal, State, and local grants and supervises project implementation.
Recommends governmental measures affecting land use, public utilities, community facilities, housing/affordable housing, and transportation to control and guide community development and renewal.
Prepares department budget and maintains fiscal control on all revenues and expenditures.
Participates in annual and single audits as they relate to various grants and programs.
Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates full-time and part-time Development Department staff (Planning & Zoning, Building & Safety, Economic Development, and Housing).
Maintains effective public relations, including preparing and making presentations, by providing information to various parties, both in oral and written form.
Oversees agendas, minutes, and procedures for relevant boards and commissions.