City of Cleveland Heights/Cleveland, OH
JOB TITLE: Economic Development Director
REPORTS TO: City Manager
The City of Cleveland Heights is accepting applications for the position of the Economic Development Director. This position is responsible for coordinating a comprehensive effort to manage and support the social, economic, and physical development and redevelopment of the City. As an established inner ring suburb with attractive residential and commercial opportunities, the Economic Development Director will facilitate and create programs that retain and attract both residents and businesses to provide for sound, sustainable growth of the City's tax base and the economic stability of the community. The Economic Development Director reports directly to the City Manager and works in a team environment with City officials and external stakeholders.
Cleveland Heights welcomes candidates with at least five years of relevant experience in areas such as business and commercial area revitalization, small business development, business investment and redevelopment projects, business planning and finance, public finance, real estate development, business attraction/retention/expansion activities, marketing, and grant writing. The ideal candidate should have a comprehensive understanding of creative and complex project financing and experience in reviewing/interpreting economic development data. Substantial experience brokering public private-partnerships for revitalization projects desirable. Applicants should have a strong record of demonstrated success in the field of economic development.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Serve as the City's business liaison and a resource for the public; build and maintain effective relationships with the local and regional business community, developers, property owners, realtors, advisory groups, community organizations, citizens, and economic development colleagues;
Identify and leverage public and private local, state, and federal resources to facilitate commercial and residential development/redevelopment projects;
Create and manage programs designed to promote commercial and residential development/redevelopment; develop and recommend incentives and programs that promote residential and commercial development; promote incentive programs;
Develop and coordinate implementation of area-specific and city-wide development plans to strategically revitalize distressed commercial corridors, improve business development, retention and expansion, address barriers to economic growth and job creation/retention.
Design and promote business development and revitalization opportunities through strategies involving creative and complex financing, public funding and incentives, real estate development, property acquisition, and marketing;
Compile and maintain critical information desired by development prospects such as economic data, land/structure availability, market information, and business support resources;
Prepare reports and presentations; deliver presentations to a variety of audiences;
Organize and attend public and community meetings.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, planning, or public administration; Master's degree and/or National Development Council (NDC) certification a plus;
At least five years of relevant experience in areas such as business and commercial area revitalization, small business development, business investment and redevelopment projects, business planning and finance, real estate development, business attraction/retention/expansion activities, marketing, and grant writing; OR,
Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the desired knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing, and the ability to interact well with businesses, elected officials, board members, staff and all segments of the public;
Working knowledge of economic development financing tools; experience with and knowledge of existing local, state and federal economic development programs a plus;
Ability to work effectively in a team environment including partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;
Ability to handle and process confidential information with a high level of integrity.
APPLICATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and is established through the City's salary ordinance. The position will remain open until filled. The first review of applicants will be February 17, 2015. Please complete the application found on the City's website and send resume, cover letter detailing qualifications, and any other relevant material to (see below)
Status: Permanent, Full-Time
Annual Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 (DOQ)
Date Posted: February 3, 2015
Closing Date: Until Filled
Submission of an application, resume and cover letter are required for full consideration.
APPLICATION PACKETS ACCEPTED: HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICE
Attn: Human Resources
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Employment Type: Permanent
Work Hours: Full Time
Pay: $75,000 to $90,000 USD
Pay Period: Annual
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