2026 Economic Development Manager

City of Oregon City•Oregon City, OR

About The Position

The Economic Development Manager leads Oregon City’s economic development program and promotes investment in the urban renewal district, downtown, employment and industrial lands, and other development areas. The program focuses on business retention and expansion, recruitment, entrepreneurship, community development, grants, the arts, and urban renewal. The City leads where it has the authority or tools, connects businesses with external service providers, and partners with organizations that have relevant expertise. The Manager runs the day-to-day program, makes routine decisions within adopted policy and budget, keeps the Community Development Director informed, and escalates policy, financial, legal, interdepartmental, and high-profile issues. The role leads the City’s Business Concierge function and relationships with businesses, investors, and project partners; conducts negotiations within delegated authority; and approves Division expenditures within that authority. The Manager serves as lead staff for the Urban Renewal Agency under the direction of the Agency’s Executive Director and Community Development Director. The position reports to the Community Development Director and works closely with the City Manager and City Commission. It supervises the Economic Development Coordinator when that position is funded and filled; when it is unfilled, the Manager handles or arranges core program administration as capacity allows. The position works with City commissions, advisory committees, staff, businesses, property owners, developers, regional and state partners, and community organizations. It supports development proposals through City processes without directing or advocating for land-use or permit outcomes, manages urban renewal projects and Agency property, develops budgets and work plans, administers incentives and grants, and supports arts and public-art programs. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, with occasional exposure to various environmental and workplace hazards. The recruitment remains open until the position is filled; the first application review is scheduled for November 16, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, certifications, and experience.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, urban renewal, real estate development, redevelopment, or urban planning, including project management.
Knowledge of development practices and principles, including downtown development and redevelopment and industrial development.
Knowledge of laws and regulations governing land development.
Knowledge of strategic planning methods related to the assigned program area.
Knowledge of public and business administration practices and principles and decision-making.
Knowledge of public purchasing and contracting laws and regulations.
Knowledge of business retention and expansion practices, state and local business incentive programs, development pro formas, and public-private partnership structures.
Knowledge of Oregon urban renewal law and tax increment finance.
Ability to monitor and evaluate programs and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, outside agencies, public officials, and the public.
Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; respond to inquiries or complaints; write speeches and articles; and present information effectively to management, public groups, and boards.
Ability to use mathematical concepts, including probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, in practical situations; analyze development pro formas, project financing, and tax increment projections.
Knowledge of standard office software, project management software, GIS and property-data tools, and customer relationship management or business-tracking tools.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Preferred fields of study include Business or Public Administration, urban planning, design, economics, or a related field.
Supervisory or lead experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the City’s economic development program and develop strategies to attract and retain businesses and targeted industries, create employment opportunities, and increase the City’s tax base.
Work with the Community Development Director and City Manager to bring development proposals to the Urban Renewal and City Commissions.
Serve as the City’s Business Concierge by helping development proposals and business projects navigate permitting and land-use processes; facilitate process, scheduling, and communication, and track recurring process issues without advocating for permit or land-use outcomes.
Lead the business retention and expansion program, including business visits, needs assessments, issue tracking, referrals, follow-up, annual reporting on business-community themes, and data-informed policy and program recommendations.
Lead urban renewal development activities; administer the Urban Renewal Plan and project list; and manage Agency-owned property and leases.
Develop and recommend biennial program work plans, services, policies, procedures, and reports, translating City Commission goals into work products, schedules, budgets, and capacity impacts.
Evaluate program effectiveness using performance measures and recommend improvements.
Promote development opportunities to private-sector interests; prepare support data and site-information reports, including information on possible City incentives; maintain relationships with brokers, property owners, and developers; coordinate the developer stakeholder group; and lead site-selection and state recruitment responses.
Conduct analyses, technical investigations, and research on downtown redevelopment and other development areas; develop and recommend programs and improvements that enhance the community’s attractiveness as a business location.
Assist businesses, property owners, and business organizations involved in downtown redevelopment and other development areas.
Maintain working relationships with regional, state, and local partners, including Business Oregon, Clackamas County, small-business and lending partners, and local business organizations.
Develop project work plans, timelines, and resource allocations; manage consultants; and authorize payments for consultant, program, and urban renewal capital projects within delegated authority after verifying deliverables.
Prepare, recommend, and present reports and documents; provide staff support to the Urban Renewal Agency and Urban Renewal Commission; and represent the program or City in proceedings and before other organizations or entities.
Develop and manage the Urban Renewal and Economic Development Division budgets in coordination with the Community Development Director.
Research funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals; recommend and oversee local business incentives and grant programs, including program rules, award recommendations, and compliance policy.
Ensure due diligence on private development partners, with financial and background reviews performed or verified by the City Attorney, Finance, or a qualified independent third party.
Supervise the Economic Development Coordinator when the position is filled, including assigning and reviewing work, approving time records, and conducting performance evaluations.
When the Coordinator position is unfilled, perform or arrange program administration, including small-business resource navigation, Arts Commission and public-art support, assigned grant administration, communications, and program data and reporting.
Perform other duties as assigned.