Director of Economic Development – Barberton Community Foundation

Nature of Work
The Director of Economic Development is responsible for the development, administration, measurement, and planning of existing and future economic development programs for the Foundation. This full-time position works closely with the Foundation  team, City of Barberton officials, Barberton City School District, and other area economic development stakeholders and agencies, in addition to the Foundation team liaison to the board’s Economic Development Committee. The position is responsible for providing guidance to individuals and companies to establish, locate, expand, or enhance their business operations within the Barberton community with a special emphasis on downtown and Foundation owned property. This position is expected to work with Team NEO, JobsOhio, Development Finance Authority of Summit County (DFA), as well as with local stakeholders to fulfill the mission of the Foundation. This position will identify and pursue county, state, and federal grant dollars for economic development projects. In addition to providing research and ownership of the planning and coordination of economic development projects for the Foundation, this position will use their expertise as a convener and facilitator. This position reports to the Executive Director of the Foundation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Helps determine the goals, objectives, and measurement of successful economic development work at the Foundation
• Directs economic development initiatives to achieve the goals and objectives outlined in an Economic Impact Plan and guided by the Economic Development Committee, formulating and implementing marketing and business attraction strategies, including familiarity with the City of Barberton’s goals and objectives
• Provides assistance in the development of short and long term economic development plans, as well as the gathering of research and information and the preparation of studies, reports, and recommendations to achieve defined goals
• Builds consensus and works to facilitate a downtown development action plan
• Convenes groups and acts as a community facilitator
• Maintains a liaison with various local, state, and federal agencies, coordinating projects with agencies as necessary and appropriate
• Identifies gaps among the existing economic development partners and formulates solutions to fill these gaps
• Provides support and expertise to existing economic development partners on an as-needed basis
• Facilitates regular communications and conversations amongst economic development entities, in order to prevent silos of information or activity
• Provides information and/or makes presentations to supervisors, boards, city council, civic groups, businesses, individuals, developers, and the general public on economic development issues, programs, services, and plans
• Becomes familiar with the existing inventory of available buildings and business and residential development sites within the community, both public and private buildings and land areas
• Serves as a member of economic development groups or task forces to promote Barberton’s economic development at the local, state or federal level
• Monitors legislation and regulations relating to economic development, and reports findings to the appropriate officials
• Maintains strong working relationships with the general public, area businesses, local business clients, the media, and others
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of economic development, and to represent interests
• Serves as a team player as a member of the Foundation’s team, and serves as staff liaison with the Foundation’s Economic Development Committee
• Conducts other Foundation and economic development related work as assigned

Training and Experience Required:
• Considerable experience in economic development, at least seven (7) years, including administrative responsibility; graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably with specialization in economic and community development or a related field, is preferred; equivalent combination of experience and certifications is strongly considered
• Working knowledge of business development, economic development, building and zoning codes
• Training and / or work experience as a convener and facilitator
• Working knowledge of municipal zoning and infrastructure, planning programs and processes, and financial opportunities for local businesses
• Knowledge of grant writing for county, state, and federal grant opportunities
• Ability to communicate effectively to groups and individuals, engineers, architects, contractors, developers, businesses, supervisors, employees, and the general public
• Proven leadership, team building, and negotiation skills
• Ability to establish working relationships with other organizations and economic development practitioners
• Ability to use technology (specifically Microsoft Office Suite) to prepare and analyze reports and data
• Availability and willingness to work flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends; local travel and some out-of-town travel required
• Ability to work with people of all backgrounds (race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc.)
• Self-motivation and an ability to work toward objectives with minimal supervision

Salary and Benefits
Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience; approximate range is $80,000 to $95,000. This position is eligible for a full package of employee benefits, including health insurance, long and short-term disability, 401(k) plan, personal paid-time off, and paid holidays.

For more information or to apply, please visit https://barbertoncf.applytojob.com/apply/sL02V6QN37/Director-Of-Economic-Development.

It is Barberton Community Foundation’s policy that, as required by law, equal employment opportunities be available to all persons without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.