Economic Development Director

The City of Anna invites applications for the position of Economic Development Director, conducting both internal and external recruitment processes concurrently to find the ideal candidate.

Under limited supervision, plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the City of Anna Economic Development Corporation. The position requires interaction with City representatives, outside agencies, and economic development related partners. The EDC Director provides general administrative support to the Anna EDC/CDC Board members.

Manage, oversee, and coordinate the city's economic development effort; plan and implement the economic development program; represent the city and the Anna Economic Development Corporation Board as a spokesperson for economic activity in the city. Participate in the development of policies and procedures; implement approved policies and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing policies and procedures. Initiate, develop, and maintain programs to encourage business and industry to locate, expand and retain their location in the city. Interact with the local and national development and brokerage community in promoting economic development and creating an awareness of the growth potential of the city. Recommend and assist in the implementation of city goals and objectives related to economic activities and programs; develop strategic plans for long-range community economic development goals and objectives; prepare periodic reports indicating related activities and progress towards goals and objectives. Research and recruit specific industries identified in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. Create, implement, and manage the positioning and marketing of the community to prospective companies through direct contact, event participation, presentations, electronic marketing, and other direct marketing campaigns. Negotiate and monitor incentive agreements and contracts with prospective stakeholders; provide recommendations to the City Council for incentive agreements; troubleshoot issues or concerns for City of Anna prospects; prepare and present project/incentive proposals. May lead negotiations on business partnerships or development agreements for commercial and industrial business development in the City, which may include tax abatement options, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreements or similar business development incentives; monitors agreements for compliance with state, local and/or federal regulations. Oversee and manage properties owned by the Anna Economic Development Corporation; administer planning, budgeting, marketing, and property sales; identify and coordinate relations with prospective tenants; develop marketing and information materials appropriate for development meetings, existing and prospective businesses, and the public. Assemble, develop, distribute, and analyze demographic and economic information for internal and external use including available office and retail space, business database and population; prepare and present analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities as needed. Participate in the preparation and administration of the economic development program budget; develop budgetary plans and controls to facilitate economic development programs and activities. Conduct and manage special projects including business surveys and economic impact models, work with outside agencies and professional consultants as necessary. Carry out strategies of the City of Anna City Council, attend and conduct all EDC/CDC board meetings. Serve as liaison to Economic Development Partnership Board; ensure agendas and associated materials, minutes and meetings are posted and conducted appropriately; prepare Economic Development Partnership Annual Report. Post agenda meetings on city website and other sources. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of various economic development programs and efforts; implement marketing initiatives that support Citywide economic development. Represent the City of Anna in a professional and positive manner with business leaders to promote Anna as a place to conduct business. Select, train, manage, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; delegate, monitor and evaluate work. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Economics, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, or related field; Knowledge of principles and practices of negotiation of sensitive issues related to economic development; pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations; real estate sales and marketing procedures; and operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive economic development program. Eight (8) years of responsible professional level experience in economic development in a municipality or non-profit environment, with five (5) years of administrative and supervisory experience. Must have completed a basic Industrial Development course and be a graduate of the Economic Development Institute. Must possess a valid Class "C" driver’s license when hired. Must have and maintain a good driving record in accordance with the driving standards as established by the City of Anna. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and MVR check. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Proficient skills to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data and/or information using established criteria. Includes exercise of discretion in determining actual or probable consequences, and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives. Ability to inform and guide others by applying principles of professional counseling in addressing specific situations. Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information, such as the Texas Local Government Code, Open Meetings/Records Act Handbook, the City Code of Ordinances, etc. Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Ability to calculate decimals and percentages. Ability to utilize principles of fractions; ability to interpret graphs. Ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions. Ability to deal with several concrete and abstract variables, and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units. Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. Knowledge of operations, service, and activities of a comprehensive municipal economic development program. Knowledge of principles and practices of negotiation of sensitive issues related to economic development. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of real estate sales and marketing procedures. #J-18808-Ljbffr