Economic Development Director

Under the general direction of the City Administrator, this position serves as a primary point of contact for the current and potential retail, commercial, tourism, and development communities of the City of Northport. The position supports the City's economic development, business recruitment and retention, community revitalization, tourism and Main Street initiatives. The position assists businesses, developers, tourism-related organizations, and other stakeholders through applicable City processes and commercial development activities.

This position also provides administrative oversight and strategic direction for the City's Main Street Alabama program. The position is responsible for providing strategic oversight and direction for Experience Northport, the City's unified brand and marketing initiative designed to promote Northport to visitors, businesses, families, residents, and prospective investors.

The position works to promote Northport as a destination for business, tourism, events, shopping, dining, recreation, cultural activities, and investment, while coordinating these efforts with the City's broader economic development and community development goals.

• Serves as the City's primary contact with the retail, commercial, tourism, and business communities; facilitates effectively among individuals from a variety of backgrounds and the City's various departments.
• Coordinates the flow of information between the community and City staff and assists businesses, developers, property owners, tourism-related organizations, and other stakeholders in navigating City processes.
• Works with City staff to ensure timely resolution to issues affecting commercial development projects, businesses, tourism activities, and community events.
• Assists with the recruitment and retention of businesses, retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and tourism-related businesses that contribute to Northport's economic vitality and quality of life.
• Assists in promoting Northport as a destination for visitors, businesses, families, events, recreation, shopping, dining, cultural activities, and other tourism opportunities.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local businesses, tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, educational institutions, regional tourism partners, and other community stakeholders.
• Assists with the development, coordination, and promotion of tourism initiatives, special events, festivals, attractions, and activities designed to generate visitors and economic activity within the City.
• Assists in identifying opportunities to enhance Northport's visitor experience and increase visitor spending, business activity, and community engagement.
• Assists in identifying opportunities to leverage Northport's historic, cultural, recreational, educational, and community assets for economic and tourism development.
• May attend local, state, and national conferences, trade shows, meetings, and other events to market Northport to prospective retailers, developers, businesses, visitors, and tourism partners.
• Assists in the collection and analysis of demographic, economic, retail, tourism, and visitor data.
• Tracks retail and commercial development into and out of the City of Northport and investigates factors affecting business recruitment, retention, expansion, relocation, or closure.
• Assists in identifying economic and tourism trends and provides recommendations regarding opportunities for Northport.
• Serves, when assigned, as the City's representative to the business, tourism, institutional, and community organizations.
• Works to develop a culture of partnership and teamwork among City employees, businesses, developers, tourism organizations, and the Northport…