Economic Development Manager

City of Yuma•City of Yuma, AZ

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Yuma Community Development Department is seeking an Economic Development Manager to join their team. This role involves managing and overseeing the City’s Neighborhood & Economic Development Division, developing strategies to attract new businesses, and encouraging the expansion and retention of existing businesses. The position requires planning, organizing, managing, and coordinating the City’s economic development activities, including business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts. The Economic Development Manager will also prepare and implement long-range economic development plans, goals, and objectives for the City, and provide support to the City Administrator. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, economics, public administration, planning or a closely related field
Five years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, commercial real estate or redevelopment
At least three years in a supervisory capacity
Equivalent combination of education, training and experience
Knowledge of Federal, state and local ordinances, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of economic development and urban redevelopment.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of sales including sales models, forecasting, pipeline management, and lifecycle.
Knowledge of Local, regional, statewide, and national economic development trends and issues.
Knowledge of Research techniques, methods and procedures.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of effective employee supervision and administrative management.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, and administration.
Knowledge of Real estate and site selection principles and practices.
Knowledge of Principles of municipal budgeting, finance, and accounting.
Knowledge of Personal computer operation and software applications.
Skill in using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating economic development projects.
Skill in interpreting and applying federal and state regulations pertaining to urban economic development.
Skill in analyzing and interpreting business development issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
Skill in analyzing City needs and prioritizing and promoting programs to meet development strategies.
Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, city leadership, elected officials, developers, other community development agencies and the general public.
Skill in communicating complicated or technical concepts effectively verbally and in writing.
Skill in conducting research, providing statistical and financial analysis, evaluating programs and preparing and presenting accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
Skill in negotiating and performing cost/benefit analysis.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is desirable.
A valid Arizona State Driver’s License may be required.
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages and oversees the City’s Economic Development Division and develops strategies to attract new businesses and encourage expansion and retention of existing business.
Supervises staff and coordinates personnel-related activities to include, but not limited to training, approving work schedules, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
Responds to leads generated by regional and state agencies.
Works with community partners on workforce development efforts in order to develop and grow the local workforce.
Collects, analyzes, and compiles economic, market and demographic data to identify specific industries and businesses suitable for the City and to track economic trends.
Identifies real estate development opportunities within the community; analyzes the economic feasibility of potential development projects; provides site analysis information, including demographic, tax, fee, development, and related information.
Coordinates City land acquisition activities, including site characterization, appraisal, title review, environmental and geotechnical investigations, relocation, and site preparation.
Assists with negotiation, preparation, processing, and implementation of disposition and development agreements, purchase and sale agreements, incentive agreements, contracts, resolutions, and requests for proposals/qualifications.
Guides economic development projects through the development approval process, coordinates plan processing by various City departments.
Develops and implements a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy to attract targeted industries to the city.
Prepares for and attends relevant sector tradeshows to generate business leads and coordinates other economic development activities and tours.
Works with a variety of software applications utilizing various social media platforms.
Develops effective and collaborative working relationships with economic development groups and organizations, internal customers, business owners, and elected officials.
Supports and represents City Council and management policies and practices to the public and other City employees.
Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.