Economic Development Director

*** This executive position is exempt from Veteran's Preference according to FL Statute 110.205 (2) (j)***

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Environmental Science, Economics, Urban and Regional Planning, or other closely related field. Master’s degree in public administration is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible, pertinent experience, and four (4) years in a leadership or supervisory role including executive-level responsibility for economic development, redevelopment, or investment strategy, with demonstrated accountability for large-scale economic outcomes, fiscal exposure, or policy decisions. Qualifying experience would typically involve working with an economic development council, Chamber of Commerce, CEO of business development or similar position at the local, state or federal level.

• Possession of an appropriate driver license for equipment operated and any license, training or certification required by law or regulation to complete assigned tasks.

• None.

The Economic Development Director is a senior executive responsible for setting and executing enterprise-level economic development strategy with direct accountability for long-term economic growth, fiscal exposure, and public value creation. The Director serves as a principal economic policy advisor to executive leadership and exercises independent judgment in balancing economic opportunity, statutory compliance, financial risk, and community impact.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Associate City Administrator with substantial delegated authority to establish priorities, negotiate complex public-private initiatives, and determine acceptable risk thresholds for economic development investments. This position owns the outcomes and consequences of major economic development decisions, including incentive structures, redevelopment strategies, and capital deployment.

The Director provides enterprise governance over the City’s economic development portfolio, including oversight to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), ensuring fiduciary stewardship, statutory compliance, and alignment with long-range fiscal and land-use objectives. The role requires integrating economic development policy across housing, infrastructure, planning, finance, and regulatory functions, often resolving competing priorities with citywide implications.

The Director leads economic development through uncertainty, exercising judgment in situations where outcomes are not fully predictable and where decisions may carry political, financial, or reputational risk. Performance is evaluated primarily on measurable economic outcomes, risk management, and long-term strategic positioning, rather than program activity or output.

• Sets and leads the strategic direction for citywide economic development initiatives, with accountability for enterprise-level outcomes and risk exposure.
• Manages major economic development projects and serves as the primary point of contact for complex and high-impact investment opportunities.
• Acts as the primary liaison for interdepartmental coordination, particularly with Planning, Development Services, Building Services, and Finance, to ensure smooth implementation of economic initiatives.
• Provides fiduciary and statutory oversight of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), including responsibility for long-term financial exposure, statutory compliance, audit readiness, and alignment of redevelopment investments with citywide economic and fiscal objectives.
• Directs staff in the development and implementation of business attraction and retention strategies, ensuring that marketing, branding, and communications are tightly aligned with priority sectors, target employers, and active deal execution.
• Leads collaborative efforts with city departments, business leaders, community organizations, and regional/state agencies to promote investment and job…