Economic Development Director – City of Wadsworth

Position: Economic Development Director Department: Administration
Reports to: Mayor Position(s) Supervised: Marketing/Economic Development Director
Status: Full-time (80 hours), Unclassified, Exempt
Pay Range: $75,000 – $95,000
Normal Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (Variable)

Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Mayor, serves as the City’s economic development administrator by promoting business and economic development interests within the community. Works with all departments in providing guidance to individuals and companies to establish, relocate, or expand their businesses. Plans and coordinates community development projects; promotes the city’s economic development opportunities; and conducts research for potential projects. Establishes relationships with existing business owners, corporate and real estate developers and agents. Coordinates marketing and communication plans for the City. Applies for and manages grants.

The City of Wadsworth is truly “A Community Unmatched” with a great location, award winning municipal utilities, excellent schools, great parks, a historic downtown, and a wide range of commercial and industrial businesses. You’ll find the friendly people you would expect in a Midwestern town, coupled with the sophistication of a community that is progressive enough to offer its own municipal electric system and high-speed broadband internet. We have been one of the fastest growing communities in Northeast Ohio with over 24,000 residents and recently awarded a “Best Hometown Award” by Ohio Magazine.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Promotes and markets the City to outside developers, corporations, and industries.
• Point person for developers and corporations relocating or expanding in the City — to all City departments throughout the entire development process.
• Leads the city’s Key Accounts Program to focus on business retention and expansion.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other government units, private entities, and the general public in matters relating to economic development.
• Negotiates complex transactions for business attraction and retention, land development and acquisition, and public improvements.
• Coordinates and executes marketing strategies and communication plans for the City.
• Completes annual reports for all tax incentives to include: Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA), Enterprise Zones (EZ), and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).
• Prepares annual department budget for presentation to the Mayor and City Council. Approves, monitors, and tracks expenditures throughout the year to be fiscally responsible and in compliance with City policies.
• Researches, gathers information, and applies for grant opportunities. May serve as grant administrator by monitoring deadlines and measurable outcomes. Produces correspondence, creates reports, and maintains records to document grant compliance.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of various economic development programs and efforts.
• Development of short and long term economic and community development plans, as well as gathering information and preparation of studies, reports, and recommendations to achieve goals.
• Analyzes existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; reviews modern techniques for business attraction and retention; monitors program(s) performance, providing reports to the Mayor and/or City Council.
• Becomes familiar with and maintains inventory of available buildings and properties within the City.
• Serves as liaison with various community and economic development organizations.
• Serves as a participating member of the monthly Economic Development and Planning Committee Meetings and provides a Committee report.
• Attends other committee and City Council meetings as needed. Prepares reports, legislation and/or resolutions and makes presentations where appropriate.
• Works closely with the Mayor, City Council, a variety of public and private organizations, boards and commissions in developing economic development programs.
• Serves as a city representative at civic, community, or outside agency events and functions and makes presentations and/or speeches as necessary.
• Reviews and approves all department requests for purchase orders prior to issuance by the City Auditor’s office.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Mayor.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to render independent judgment and negotiate terms and conditions for delivery of materials and service.
• Ability to deal with public and private officials and negotiate complex transactions.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, codes and policies that impact economic development.
• Knowledge of comprehensive planning principles, practices, regulations, and techniques, including development and modification of the comprehensive plans.
• Knowledge of 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.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, city officials, city employees, division managers, contractors, vendors, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence and to make presentations both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Ability to analyze complex technical and administrative problems, evaluate alternative solutions and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Ability to observe employee work performance and conduct evaluations.
• Ability to exercise individual initiative and discretion in work, including confidential matters.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to accurately apply laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to exercise flexibility.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Ability to occasionally work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications for Employment: The employee must meet all of the minimum qualifications below as a condition of employment.

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.
• Five (5) years of related experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license and the maintenance of an acceptable driving record and insurability with the City’s general liability policy as deemed by the City.

Preferred Qualifications for Employment:

• Possession of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA).
• Current certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).
• Specialized training from the International Economic Development Council, Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute, or similar.
• Prior public sector experience.

Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a detailed resume reflecting the nature of the work performed in both current and prior employment. Emphasis should be given to work experience, training and/or duties performed that are relevant to this position. Resumes may be dropped off in person at the Human Resources office or submitted in the following manner:

E-Mail: Tara McCulloch, Human Resources Director at jobs@wadsworthcity.org

POSTING DATE: Friday, October 29, 2021

POSTING DEADLINE: Friday, November 19, 2021*

* Resumes must be received in Human Resources by 4:00 P.M. on the deadline date, regardless of the method of submission. Late submissions will not be considered.