Economic Development Director

City of West Haven•West Haven, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Economic Development Director plans, organizes, and implements the City of West Haven’s economic development functions, including business retention, attraction, and incentive programs, as well as redevelopment activities. The Director supervises the Grants Department, carries out economic development goals and objectives, and coordinates with the development community, local businesses, City departments, and staff. The role manages economic development services and initiatives intended to attract capital investment, expand and diversify employment opportunities, and establish public-private partnerships for long-term economic change. Focus areas include entrepreneurship, real estate investment, workforce opportunities, business retention and expansion, and business recruitment and marketing. The position develops economic and community development plans; assesses local economic conditions and available properties; oversees programs, projects, infrastructure initiatives, grants, enterprise-zone and tax-credit programs; prepares and presents budgets; and represents the City in civic, business, and community settings. It also works with government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders to advance City goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related economic development or business field and five years of substantial experience in planning, economic or community development, business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
Experience managing projects and people in a nonprofit, public agency, or private company.
Experience developing close working relationships with local, state, and federal governmental groups and with constituents and stakeholders, potentially including elected officials, boards of directors, employees, and business and community support organizations.
Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with staff, partners, businesses, consultants, funders, and community members.
Background in leadership, management, budget oversight, and supervision.
Demonstrated success completing time-sensitive or high-profile projects through collaboration, consensus, and creativity.
Ability to set priorities across multiple tasks and meet project benchmarks and deadlines.
Comprehensive knowledge of economic and community development issues, principles, and techniques, including state and federal policies and programs, capital-improvement programming, applicable regulations and regulatory devices, and associated data sources and information systems.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, deliver presentations, and lead discussions and meetings.
Basic math and accounting knowledge, with the ability to formulate, evaluate, and analyze financial proposals.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and apply findings; anticipate reactions from the public, elected officials, businesses, and government agencies.
Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Develop short- and long-term economic and community development plans, studies, reports, and recommendations.
Analyze local economic conditions related to business attraction and expansion; assess business attraction and retention approaches; address sensitive or controversial issues; monitor program performance; and report to the Mayor, Economic Development Commission, and City Council.
Maintain familiarity with the inventory of available public and private buildings, parcels, land, and businesses in West Haven.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of economic development programs and activities.
Manage economic change through business retention, expansion, and attraction, including commerce and light industry, and develop incentive zones and programs.
Develop infrastructure to support business growth and expansion, including industrial parks, shell buildings, utilities, and transportation.
Represent the City at civic, cultural, charitable, business, and community activities, and serve on relevant boards, commissions, committees, and organizations.
Prepare and present the annual budget for approval by the City Council and Mayor.
Serve as a liaison with local, state, and federal agencies and coordinate projects as appropriate.
Provide information and presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the public about economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
Oversee administration of the City's enterprise-zone and tax-credit programs.
Identify workforce needs and coordinate with educational and training institutions to develop appropriate training and educational programs.
Manage the City Grants Department and help identify grants that support community goals.
Provide project-management direction and oversight.
Perform other duties as assigned.