City of Toledo
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Manager of Economic Development is a key position in the city, primarily responsible for managing and promoting the City’s economic development programs aimed at attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses. This role requires the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, utilize proactive problem-solving skills, and maintain continuous communication with prospective companies and developers. The Manager is also responsible for making recommendations to the administration regarding program applications, which necessitates knowledge of business and finance. Additionally, the role involves developing and implementing effective strategies for promoting economic development within the community. Overall, the Manager of Economic Development plays a critical role in the city administration, requiring a diverse skill set and expertise to effectively manage programs and implement the city’s economic development strategy.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Manages the City’s economic development incentive programs including the Toledo Expansion Incentive, Municipal Jobs Creation Tax Credit, Façade Improvement Grant, and White Box Grant programs.
- Manages the City’s programs and software aimed at providing assistance to companies and developers seeking to build. Such programs and software include the Pre-Development Meeting program and Permit Planner.
- Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of economic development incentive programs including providing annual reports.
- Coordinates and leads the monthly Incentive Advisory Committee meetings.
- Encourages the retention and creation of jobs and capital investment in the City.
- Promotes and markets the City to outside developers, corporations, and industries.
- Serves as a city representative at civic, community, or outside agency events and functions and makes presentations and/or speeches as necessary.
- Performs other duties assigned by the Director.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Laws, regulations, codes and policies that impact economic development.
- Comprehensive planning principles, practices, regulations, and techniques, including development and modification of the comprehensive plans.
- Business development, financing, marketing, and real estate.
Skill in:
- The use of a personal computer with proficiency in Microsoft Office software to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Effectively presenting information and responding to questions from groups of managers, clients, outside agencies, and the general public.
- Writing and speaking that is easily understood by others.
Ability to:
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, city officials, city employees, division managers, contractors, vendors, and the general public.
- Prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence and to make presentations both orally and in writing.
- Prepare and maintain records.
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
- Analyze complex technical and administrative problems, evaluate alternative solutions and adopt an effective course of action.
- Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described within this job description must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
In this position, the employee will frequently stand, walk and sit. The employee will occasionally write. Speaking and listening are constant essential functions of this positions. The position will occasionally require the employee to drive a personal and company owned vehicle.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described within this job description will be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is frequently indoors. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. Occasional travel to various worksites will be required.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business, or a closely related field with two (2) years of experience in public/ private sector economic development or management of grant, tax credit, and/or loan programs for individuals or businesses or commercial real estate or urban planning. If a candidate does not possess a Bachelor’s degree in any of the above-referenced areas, consideration will be given to individuals who possess an additional 3-4 years of directly related experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Ohio Certified Economic Developer, Ohio Economic Development Association
- Certified Economic Developer, International Economic Development Council