Director of Strategic Growth

Town of Norton•Norton, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Growth is a senior management position responsible for advancing the Town’s economic, financial, organizational, and community development priorities. Working directly with the Town Manager as part of the senior management team, the Director develops and executes strategies to strengthen financial systems and infrastructure, grow the tax base, guide responsible growth, coordinate infrastructure investment, and improve development processes, land-use decisions, and capital decisions in alignment with the Town’s long-term financial capacity. The role combines strategic planning, municipal finance, economic development, project management, community engagement, and practical knowledge of land use and infrastructure. The Director moves major initiatives from concept through implementation and serves as a trusted executive-level advisor to the Town Manager. The Director works under the Town Manager’s general administrative direction, exercising substantial independent judgment and discretion. The role may provide managerial and administrative supervision to assigned departments, divisions, employees, consultants, interns, and contractors, without interfering with legally assigned technical, regulatory, or enforcement authority. Work is performed primarily in a municipal office environment, with frequent interruptions, deadlines, confidential matters, and public contact. The employee uses standard office equipment and a computer for extended periods. Evening meetings, occasional site visits, and work outside regular hours may be required. Essential functions may be performed with reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, public or business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in municipal finance, budgeting, financial analysis, or public administration with substantial financial responsibility.
Management or supervisory experience.
Strong knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance, operating and capital budgets, financial forecasting, engineering, infrastructure, project management, grants, and economic development financing.
Demonstrated skill in financial modeling, Excel, project management, supervision, and clear communication of complex financial information.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage competing priorities, and work effectively with officials, departments, boards, and the public.
Commitment to responsive government, responsible growth, and high-quality public service.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies to expand and diversify the Town’s commercial and industrial tax base through business retention, attraction, redevelopment, and responsible growth.
Serve as the Town’s senior liaison to businesses, developers, property owners, utilities, financial institutions, and regional and state economic development partners.
Evaluate development opportunities and proposed incentives for projected revenues, infrastructure costs, service demands, regulations, market barriers, and long-term financial obligations; recommend financially sustainable approaches to the Town Manager.
Develop multiyear revenue and expenditure forecasts and assist the Town Manager with annual budget review, financial planning, and evaluation of recurring commitments and proposed initiatives.
Conduct fiscal-impact, cost-benefit, revenue, expenditure, and return-on-investment analyses for development proposals, infrastructure projects, collective bargaining matters, and major Town initiatives.
Develop capital and infrastructure funding strategies involving grants, betterments, tax increment financing, public-private partnerships, and other available mechanisms, subject to required review and approvals.
Coordinate financial analysis for the multiyear capital plan with the Town Manager, DPW Director, finance officials, and department heads; evaluate project costs, priorities, funding sources, and future operating expenses.
Prepare financial reports and recommendations for the Town Manager identifying trends, funding gaps, alternatives, and progress on approved priorities.
Serve on the Town’s senior management team and provide managerial and administrative supervision to departments, employees, consultants, and functions assigned by the Town Manager.
Establish priorities, assign and review work, evaluate performance, participate in hiring and disciplinary recommendations, and promote accountability among assigned operations.
Coordinate assigned interdepartmental initiatives, establish schedules, track budgets and milestones, report progress to the Town Manager, and assist with financial evaluations and funding needs for operational initiatives.
Lead the preparation, updating, and implementation of the Town’s Master Plan and related economic development, housing, infrastructure, capital, and long-range policy initiatives.
Research and pursue federal, state, regional, foundation, and private funding; oversee grant applications, administration, compliance, and reporting.
Develop and implement strategies for business retention, investment, redevelopment, and tax-base growth, with emphasis on net fiscal benefit to the Town.
Facilitate public engagement and prepare reports, presentations, policies, zoning amendments, warrant articles, and recommendations for the Town Manager, Select Board, Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and community stakeholders.
Assist the Town Manager confidentially with financial strategy, personnel organizational planning, and real estate matters.
Participate as a management representative in bargaining preparation, negotiations, grievance analysis, and development of confidential financial models, costing analyses, and management proposals.
Lead complex projects from concept through implementation, coordinate internal and external participants, and assist with negotiations and agreements.
Perform other executive and managerial responsibilities assigned by the Town Manager and other duties as assigned.