Director of Economic Development – City of Delaware, Ohio

You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages. Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!  Delaware is an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown and a top 50 Places to Live in America.

Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Economic Development Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with the existing business community, marketing and promoting the City to attract new businesses, supporting the expansion of existing businesses, and vigorously seeking out new businesses for the City. The position has considerable interface with all departments of the City, City Council, and the development and business community. Position requires regular and reliable attendance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101

1. Manages and supervises all assigned employees (e.g., schedules and assigns tasks; interviews job applicants; recommends the hiring of job applicants; recommends discipline; recommends pay assignments; evaluates performance; receives grievances or employee complaints; approves and recommends the approval of leave requests; attends or participates in meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; develops and implements policy; recommends policy changes; has access to other employees’ personnel files; has unlimited access to financial data used in the payroll and benefit budgeting process; has access to financial data used in monitoring department revenue/income).
2. Prepares and manages the Department’s Budget.
3. Develops knowledge of existing business climate in the City of Delaware, the Columbus region, and the state of Ohio.
4. Plans, directs, and organizes City’s economic development activities.
5. Works closely with the Assistant City Manager to develop strategy and to propose tasks and actions to achieve goals and objectives for economic development. Exercises broad discretion and makes independent judgments to attain goals and objectives; monitors local, state, and federal legislation and legislation relating to economic development.
6. Assists in the creation of city-wide development policies.
7. Researches prospective business opportunities.
8. Reviews and makes recommendations on economic development plans proposed in the City of Delaware.
9. Serves as liaison to the Delaware Area and Columbus Chambers of Commerce, the Delaware County Port Authority, Delaware County Economic Development Department, Main Street Delaware, and other key public and private groups interested in local and regional economic development.
10. Prepares and maintains electronic database on utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing tools, etc. Responds to requests for information for economic development purposes; prepares and analyzes demographic information.
11. Responds to local citizens inquiries regarding local economic development activities and opportunities.
12. Responsible for establishing, maintaining, and coordinating working relationships with federal, state, county, and regional agencies and with educational institutions involved in economic development and workforce education and training.
13. Addresses businesses and civic groups regarding economic development activities.
14. In coordination with the Community Affairs Director,  directs  the City’s Economic Development marketing program.  Oversees the Economic Development website and is responsible for project managing the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.
15. Works closely with the Planning and Community Development Department in coordinating meetings to determine development procedure and potential project appropriateness regarding zoning.
16. Directs the Economic Development Project Manager and Economic Development Coordinator in managing the City’s Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction program.
17. Provides leadership for the active participation of business and community residents in marketing the City to visitors.
18. Manages the development of financial and other incentive programs.
19. Develops and negotiates incentive packages for potential new and existing businesses.
20. Provides tours and inspection of land sites available for development and redevelopment.
21. Serves as business concierge in navigation City of Delaware and other partner organization processes and programs.
22. Assigns, coordinates, reviews, and evaluates the work and performance of assigned staff.
23. Strengthens international relationships with current and prospective companies with a global presence.
24. Works with the City Manager’s Office and Public Works to further leverage the opportunities at the Delaware Municipal Airport.
25. Performs other duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED

Computer, copier, phone, and other standard/modern office equipment; computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Wild Apricot, Adobe, Creative Suite, GIS, Zoom Prospector, Salesforce, Cityworks, and other applicable computer software).

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, in public or business administration, marketing, economics, finance, planning, engineering, or related field.
2. Four (4) or more years progressively responsible experience in economic development activities in public sector agency or in another equivalent organization that would confer a comparable skills base.
3. Must be or be willing to obtain an Economic Developer Certification.
4. Possession of a valid State of Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.
5. Regular and reliable attendance
6. Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed below.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic Accounting
• Budgeting
• Finance (basic).
• Interviewing
• Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, Sharepoint, OneNote, and Teams) and other computer software.
• City and Department goals and objectives.
• City and Department policies and procedures.
• Government structure and process.
• Safety practices and procedures.
• Supervisory principles and practices.
• Project management.
• Theory, principles, and practices of economic and community development.
• Principles and practices of architecture, urban design, city planning, engineering, landscape architecture, building inspection, property, maintenance, and plan conformance with building codes.
• Theory and practices of micro and macroeconomics, marketing, and general business administration.
• State, federal, and regional grant programs pertaining to economic and community development.
• Marketing, communication, negotiation, and sales strategies, tactics, and principles.

SKILLS

• Excellent organization, attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and critical thinking skills.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Civic engagement and customer service.
• Organizing the work of self and others, setting priorities, and meeting critical deadlines.
• Group coordination and project team leadership.
• Advanced research and organizational methods.
• Interpersonal skills.

ABILITIES

• Apply management principles to solve problems.
• Supervise, organize, and direct the work of subordinate personnel.
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations.
• Deal with many variables, define and solve problems, collect, analyze, and interpret data, establish facts and determine specific action, evaluate and improve process and/or program efficiency / effectiveness.
• Organize, oversee, and complete multiple projects simultaneously with limited supervision.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality about information within the office.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Prepare correspondence.
• Compile and prepare reports.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
• Maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively, both in oral and written form and to prepare and present effective public presentations.
• Exercise independent judgement and discretion.
• Work in a professional office environment.
• Make important judgments in regard to varied business matters of significance.
• Have a positive outlook and be a good salesperson.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The primary duties of this position are performed in a public office-building environment.
2. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
3. Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate, and prepare a variety of written materials and documents.
4. Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer.
5. Sufficient mobility and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The City of Delaware offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: health, dental, and life insurance, retirement pension and savings plans, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and longevity pay and in many positions, paid uniforms or clothing allowance. This position is part of the Management Pay Plan. Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here.

The information above is intended to be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position and should not be interpreted to describe all  the duties which may be required of employees holding this position.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.