Performs complex professional and administrative work overseeing all Town economic development initiatives and activities; planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising economic and community development services; maintaining records and files, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the Assistant Town Manager.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, directs, and administers the Town’s economic and community development initiatives; builds and maintains strong relationships between the Town and business community, industrial developers, property owners, realtors, government agencies, professional and community organizations.
• Serves as the initial contact for potential businesses and industries considering new location or expansion.
• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, for the division.
• Negotiates and prepares economic development agreements.
• Researches and analyzes economic development issues including legislation, policies, and annual reports from independent agencies.
• Maintains contact with existing businesses within the community to stay abreast of their status, any potential for expansion, and assists with problems; follows up on requests.
• Researches, seeks, and administers grants and tax incentive programs to benefit the economic development initiatives of the Town.
• Serves as the Town’s staff representative for the Economic Development Committee by helping facilitate its meetings and implement its programs and initiatives.
• Assists in developing marketing programs to attract new businesses and encourage growth of the Town.
• Prepares and administers the division budget, monitors expenditures.
• Prepares and presents a variety of periodic reports, plans, and studies regarding economic development; analyzes and reviews reports, plans, and studies; makes recommendations.
• Advises the Assistant Town Manager, Town Manager, Town Council, and division heads on all matters, issues and actions related to economic development.
• Serves as a member of the Town’s Staff Support Team.
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Town Manager.
• Upholds a culture centered on customer service, professionalism, mutual respect, effective communication, and teamwork within the division and the Town.

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, urban planning, public administration, business administration, or related field, and extensive experience in economic or community development, planning, construction, and real estate development including considerable supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.
• Ability to obtain Economic Development Specialist certification desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in economic and community development and the local, state, and federal laws that regulate these operations.
• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of economic development and redevelopment.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations related to all operations in the division.
• Analytical skills including the ability to research and accurately assess complex information.
• Ability to build strong relationships with board members, Town Council, staff, agencies, and business community.
• Ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information and to prepare and present technical oral and written reports.
• Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinates.
• Ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, associates, division heads, developers, realtors, business owners, and the public.

Physical Requirements

This work is sedentary and requires little to no exertion of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hiring Range: $88,325.52 - $105,990.62

Salary within the hiring range will be determined based on relevant and verifiable work experience.