SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Salary: $92,364.00 - $161,028.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25-8132-04
Department: Community Development
Division: CD-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Opening Date: 12/04/2025
Closing Date: 12/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Senior Project Manager to fill one (1) vacancy in the Economic Development Division of the Community and Economic Development Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
Under general direction, to develop and implement strategies, policies and programs related to urban and community redevelopment and/or economic development within one or more designated geographic or functional areas; to work closely with related Divisions to coordinate seamless service delivery within target or functional areas; and to do related work as required.

Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the planning and execution of Economic Development goals and objectives; develop policy related to land use, incentive programs and real estate project development.
• Establish goals, objectives, priorities, schedules and budgets for individual programs and projects.
• Establish economic development strategies, polices and procedures.
• Establish and manage performance measurement systems related to Redevelopment and/or Economic Development goals and objectives.
• Maintain liaison with local Redevelopment and/or Economic Development organizations, local and regional businesses, developers, real estate brokers, public agencies, property owners, and the general public to encourage collaborations and promote Redevelopment and/or Economic Development activities.
• Make public presentations to legislative bodies, business organizations, community groups, development associations and others regarding the City's Redevelopment and/or Economic Development goals and objectives.
• Identify and market sites suitable for Redevelopment and/or Economic Development.
• Manage various Agency-owned commercial properties, including contract services, tenant lease negotiations, and property maintenance and improvements.
• Independently negotiate development transactions.
• Identify and attract targeted retail, office and other desirable businesses and investments.
• Prepare and administer professional service, financial and real estate development contracts, Owner Participation Agreements, and Development and Disposition Agreements.
• Conduct and/or coordinate complex studies, and prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations.
• Establish and maintain electronic database and contact management programs.
• Coordinate with other departments the review and processing of specific private development projects.
• Develop Requests for Qualifications and Request of Proposals.
• Plan, develop and manage real estate development, financial analysis, direct business assistance and incentive program development/implementation.
• Oversee diverse forms of business assistance, including site selection, public and private financing, work force development, international trade, permit fast-tracking and general entrepreneurial problem solving with a government environment.
• Leverage funding through grants, assistance programs and other means of maximizing the effectiveness of redevelopment projects.
• Oversee management of City's demographic, land use and market-related database; including maintenance of a commercial and industrial property inventory.
• Network and coalition build with local, regional, state and federal business and economic development organizations.
• Enter into negotiations with developers, business owners and tenants.
• Facilitate interdepartmental coordination related to strategic planning, business recruitment and business retention.

Qualifications
Education: The equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in public or business administration, urban planning, hospitality management, arts, information technology, or a closely related field. A Master's Degree or graduate level course work is desirable.
Experience: Four years of professional administrative and project management experience in redevelopment, economic development, urban planning, real estate development, information technology or a related field. When assigned to Economic Development, experience must include one year in the direct administration and management of redevelopment projects. A Master's degree or relevant professional certifications are highly desirable and may be substituted for one year of the required experience, except the minimal required redevelopment project management and administration experience.
Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working in or attracting businesses in the City's areas of excellence aerospace, arts and tourism, biotechnology, clean technology and sustainability, and general technology.
• Experience in strategic planning, analysis and implementation skills to guide and effectively implement long-term economic initiatives in alignment with department goals.
• Experience working with stakeholder engagement and partnership building with businesses, government agencies, private-sector partners, community organizations, and funding bodies.
• Experience in program and project leadership to manage complex, multi-year initiatives and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Experience utilizing data-driven decision-making using economic, demographic, and market data to shape project direction and evaluate outcomes.
• Possession of a California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) certificate as a California Economic Developer.

Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Current Professional Certificates (if possessed).
FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
Positions that require, or may require, a are considered Safety Sensitive and are monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any candidate being considered for a Safety Sensitive position must submit authorization forms to the City immediately upon request to begin the pre-employment process.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Benefit Level II includes Senior Management, Management and Professional classifications (Exempt)

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. And is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,734 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City will contribute the following amounts per month, with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check:
  
  • Management and Professional Units: $150/month
  • Senior Management Unit: $175/month
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long-Term Disability Plan.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs. = 144 hrs., 10+ yrs. = 184 hrs.
• Administrative Leave -
  
  • Management and Professional Units: 64 hrs. per fiscal year.
  • Senior Management Unit: 80 hrs. per fiscal year.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01

Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02

Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03

How many years of professional administrative and project management experience in redevelopment, economic development, urban planning, real estate development, information technology or a related field do you possess?

• None.
• Less than 3 years.
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years.
• 4 years or more.

04

Do you possess at least one year of experience in the direct administration and management of redevelopment projects.

• No.
• Yes.

05

Which of the following do you possess experience in? (Mark all that apply)

• None.
• Experience working in or attracting businesses in the City's areas of excellence aerospace, arts and tourism, biotechnology, clean technology and sustainability, and general technology.
• Experience in strategic planning, analysis and implementation skills to guide and effectively implement long-term economic initiatives in alignment with department goals.
• Experience working with stakeholder engagement and partnership building with businesses, government agencies, private-sector partners, community organizations, and funding bodies.
• Experience in program and project leadership to manage complex, multi-year initiatives and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Experience utilizing data-driven decision-making using economic, demographic, and market data to shape project direction and evaluate outcomes.

06

Do you possess a California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) certificate as a California Economic Developer.

• No.
• Yes.

07

Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question

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