Economic Development Director

City of West Haven•West Haven, CT

12d

About The Position

Plans, organizes and implements economic development functions from conception to completion, including business retention, business attraction and incentive programs, manages redevelopment activities; supervises grant department, performs a variety of responsible administrative, professional and technical tasks. Implements economic development goals and objectives for the City of West Haven, interfaces and coordinates with the development community, local businesses and various City of West Haven departments and staff.

Requirements

A strong communicator who expresses him or herself well and builds positive working relationships with other staff members, partners, small and large businesses, consultants, funders and community members.
A solid background in leadership, management, budget oversight and supervisory experience.
Must have demonstrated experience successfully completing time-sensitive and/or high profile projects through collaboration, consensus and creativity.
A goal-oriented thinker who has the ability to set clear priorities among multiple tasks and stay focus on project benchmarks and deadlines.
Comprehensive knowledge of economic and community development issues, principles and techniques, including state and federal policies and programs, capital improvements programming, applicable regulations and regulatory devices, associated data sources and information systems.
Bachelor’s Degree in a related economic development or business field and five years substantial experience in planning, economic and/or community development, business or related field OR equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Experience managing projects and people in a nonprofit, public agency or private company.
Direct experience developing close working relationships with governmental groups at the local, state and federal level, and constituents/stakeholders which might include elected officials, board of directors, employees and other business and community support organizations.
Must be able to communicate effectively (orally and written), possess excellent presentation skills and ability to lead discussions and meetings.
Basic knowledge of math skills and accounting required. Ability to formulate and evaluate financial proposals and analyze “deals”.
Must be able to analyze data, determine trends and apply the results.
Ability to anticipate reaction from the public, elected officials, business community, governmental agencies to manage various situations.
Valid Driver’s License
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit and inspect meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Position in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Assume management responsibilities for all services and activities of economic development including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities; establishes and maintains a private/public partnership for positive long-term economic change and implementation of the City of West Haven’s economic development strategies:
Support Entrepreneurship Development
Increase Real Estate Investment
Increase Workforce Opportunities for residents
Business Retention and Expansion
Business Recruitment and Marketing
Development of short and long term economic and community development plans, as well as the gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports and recommendations to achieve such goals.
Analyzes existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; review modern techniques for business attraction and retention and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; monitors program performance and provides reports to the City of West Haven Mayor, Economic Development Commission and the City Council.
Becomes familiar with the existing inventory of available buildings, parcels and businesses in the City of West Haven. This will include both public and private building and land areas.
Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of various economic development programs and efforts.
Manages the development and implementation of economic change through retention, expansion, attraction of commerce and light industry and the creation of incentive zone/programs.
Develop infrastructure (industrial parks, shell buildings, utilities, transportation, etc.) to support business growth and expansion.
Represents the City of West Haven at appropriate civic, cultural, charitable, business and community activities as well as serves on boards, commissions, committees and organizations related to the areas that are critical to the City of West Haven’s goals and interest.
Prepares and presents annual budget for approval by the West Haven City Council and Mayor.
Maintains a liaison with various local, state and federal agencies, coordinating projects with agencies as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Provides information and make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the public on economic development issues, programs, services and plans.
Oversees the administration of the City of West Haven’s, enterprise zone and tax credit programs.
Identifies workforce skill needs of the business community and coordinates action with educational and training institutions to develop and provide the appropriate training and educational programs.
Manages City Grants Department and helps identify grants to achieve community goals.
Provides project management direction and oversight.
Supervises the Grants Department.
Other duties as assigned.