Economic Development Manager

City of University City•University City, MO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Economic Development Manager leads the creation and administration of economic development programs as funded by the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Fund (EDRST). This position will lead the creation, implementation, and oversight of Business Retention and Expansion Program, promoting and marketing the city as a place to do business, and implement strategies to attract and recruit businesses to the city. A significant amount of time is spent outside of the office, meeting with partners and fulfilling responsibilities. The Economic Development Manager works under the supervision of the Deputy City Manager - Development and will assist with the Loop Special Business District and Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board as needed.

Requirements

Strong written, oral, and organizational skills are required and include external communications such as newsletters, press releases, web copy, grant applications, etc.
Must demonstrate strong community engagement/outreach skills and experience
High level of technical ability with strong working knowledge of computer software programs such as desktop publishing, graphic design, website administration, and Microsoft office suite
Knowledge or principles and practices of economic development, redevelopment and reuse, business retention and recruitment programs, and marketing and advertising
Experience with event planning and organizational/membership/community meetings
Knowledge of federal, state, and local economic development tools available (i.e. brownfields, tax increment financing, historic tax credits)
Ability to produce quality materials and assigned responsibilities with competing demands, changing priorities, and required timelines and work under pressure to meet deadlines
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public, and gain the trust and cooperation of others to effectively communicate concepts and ideas
Strong organizational, analytical, research, evaluation and problem-solving skills
Ability to exercise a high degree of sound, independent judgment and work within established guidelines
Ability to attend evening or weekend meetings as required

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred
Five years related experience and/or training in economic development, downtown development, or industrial and commercial real estate development preferred
Supervising experience

Responsibilities

Creates and administers economic development programs and serves as primary contact regarding economic development programs, process and review all economic development program applications
Attracts and retains businesses to the city
Implements the city's Economic Development Strategy, including the creation and implementation of a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Familiarize public officials, retailers, community groups, the general public and others with the nature and orientation of this effort
Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with existing businesses, develop and maintain contacts with landowners, developers, site consultants, realtors, entrepreneurs, private industry representatives, and economic development related organizations and agencies
Coordinates a wide range of projects, from supervising promotional activities to assembling market information
Projects may include: property inventory, external marketing, maintaining the Economic Development website, business recruitment, small business assistance programs, and branding
Serves as an authority on information, resources and programs related to operating a business in the city and acts as a data and information source for current and prospective businesses
Engage and interface with the International District Businesses to build relationships and promote better understanding of their business needs and plans
Prepares updates to community demographic information and maintains current data regarding the community on the economic development page of the city's website
Assist with the Loop Special Business District (LSBD) and Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board (EDRSTB)
Provide leadership in the development and implementation of short and long range plans and policies related to economic development activities
Serve as staff liaison to the Economic Development Retail Sales Tax Board and other boards/commissions as assigned. Provide staff support to this and other boards.
Attend occasional evening or weekend meetings
Other projects and duties as assigned