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Economic Development Director – Warren County

September 22, 2026 | Jobs

Department: Economic Development
Reports To: County Administrator
Pay Range: $95,000 – $120,000 annually
Status: Full-time, Exempt, Unclassified (40 hours per week)
Posted: September 22, 2026 — applications accepted until the position is filled

Position Summary
Under administrative direction, and pursuant to R.C. 307.07, the Economic Development Director is responsible for the direction and administration of all operations of the County’s Economic Development Department, including planning, implementing, and monitoring all programs and services. The Director also serves as Executive Director of the Warren County Port Authority. Supervision is exercised over the Economic Development Specialist and an Administrative Assistant.

Essential Functions

  1. Perform all functions authorized under R.C. 307.07(B), with approval of the Board of County Commissioners, including:
    • Hiring staff and employing technical and advisory personnel needed to carry out the functions and duties of the office;
    • Contracting for services necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the office;
    • Entering into agreements with federal, state, and local governments and their agencies, and with public, private, or nonprofit organizations;
    • Maintaining membership in development organizations;
    • Making loans or grants and providing other forms of financial assistance for economic development purposes, including assistance for permanent public improvements, in compliance with applicable state law, and fixing the rate of interest and charges for such assistance;
    • Receiving and accepting grants, gifts, and contributions of money, property, labor, and other things of value — from individuals, private and public corporations, the federal or state government, or any political subdivision or agency — to be held, used, and applied only for the purposes for which they are made, and agreeing to repay or return contributions on terms the Director determines, excluding the payment of interest, evidenced in writing;
    • Establishing with the Board any funds necessary for the deposit and disbursement of gifts or contributions accepted for economic development purposes;
    • Designing, implementing, monitoring, overseeing, and evaluating economic development plans, programs, strategies, and policies;
    • Purchasing real property to convey to the port authority for use in accordance with its public purpose;
    • Performing all acts necessary to fulfill the functions and duties of the office.
  2. Develop and administer business attraction and expansion programs.
  3. Create and implement marketing programs to attract new business investment in Warren County, and provide technical services to incoming and existing businesses, including site selection, incentives, and relocation assistance.
  4. Develop a strategic network of contacts, including real estate professionals and business executives, to promote development and identify business opportunities.
  5. Administer the Warren County Enterprise Zone Program, County Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreements, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements, and various loan programs, ensuring compliance with state regulations and reporting requirements.
  6. Create and maintain a business information clearinghouse serving as a central resource for community and business development data.
  7. Conduct public relations to highlight the community’s development, with emphasis on the expanding business base.
  8. Coordinate with other departments and development agencies, public and private, to streamline the business development process.
  9. Serve as liaison to major employers for government-to-business communications and troubleshooting.
  10. Serve as Executive Director of the Warren County Port Authority. In that role: stay current on the economic development goals of the Board of County Commissioners; develop and implement public financing tools (conduit financing, sales tax exemptions, bond fund growth) as allowed by the Ohio Revised Code; attend and manage Port board meetings and engage with Port members; work closely with industry professionals including legal counsel, financial advisors, accountants, and local economic development partners to offer clients solutions to their economic development goals; organize, apply for, and administer state and federal funding requests for countywide projects; and ensure job creation and economic growth. Actions of the Port Authority Executive Director must align with the economic development goals of the Board of County Commissioners.
  11. Report all pending Port Authority activities in a monthly written report to each member of the Board of County Commissioners, and present to the Board in a public meeting not less than quarterly an overview of each pending Port Authority project and how it aligns with the Board’s goals.
  12. Supervise Economic Development staff.
  13. Participate and serve as a member on various boards, such as the NCA Board, ESID, Small Development Alliance, and others as needed.
  14. Work cooperatively with OhioMeansJobs partners and the regional board to plan and implement workforce activities.
  15. Work with other agencies and organizations to coordinate training programs and services, and promote interagency cooperation.
  16. Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
  17. Follow all safety and health practices of the Warren County Board of Commissioners.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and work experience indicating possession of the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a closely related field — a master’s degree in the same is highly desirable — plus five years of successful, progressive managerial experience in at least one of those areas, along with a strong understanding of public bond financing and project management skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical competence in business development, specifically local and regional markets, real estate, finance, and public and private incentive programs; understanding of bond financing and project management; considerable knowledge of the Warren County community and familiarity with the region; strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation; good professional judgment; ability to speak before groups and write effectively; ability to maintain productive working relationships within the organization and with outside organizations; ability to plan, organize, and evaluate the work of others; ability to develop and administer a budget; computer literacy, at minimum basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and contact management programs; ability to understand and apply concepts used in zoning and code enforcement; ability to read and understand reports, correspondence, instructions, maps, and site plans; ability to drive and ride in a car.

Licensure

Valid Ohio driver’s license.

Benefits

  • Health insurance: available after 30 days, with two Med/Rx plan choices; monthly family premiums range from $341 to as low as $0. No premium cost for dental, vision, life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Weight Watchers, on-site biometrics, and a day off work (“Dave’s Day for Your Life”), among others.
  • Retirement: Ohio Public Employees Retirement System — employee 10 percent, employer 14 percent of earnings, pre-tax.
  • Paid time off: 11.5 holidays annually; two weeks of vacation after the first year.

How to Apply

Visit https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/, click on Job Postings, then click Warren County Application for Employment. Download the application, complete it, and email it to wccommapp@warrencountyohio.gov. Questions: Susan Spencer, 513-695-1747.

Applications accepted until the position is filled. This notice is posted for not less than seven consecutive calendar days beginning September 22, 2026.

Warren County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.