Economic Development Director

Under general direction, leads the implementation of the City of Victoria’s Economic Development Strategic Plan by coordinating partnerships, driving business recruitment and retention efforts, and supporting strategic growth initiatives. This position serves as a primary liaison with developers, business leaders, regional partners, and governmental agencies to promote a pro-business environment and attract new investment.

The role manages the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation (Type

B) and departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with City Council goals, while advancing redevelopment initiatives, overseeing incentive programs, and supporting funding opportunities. Provides data-driven analysis, reports, and recommendations to leadership and plays a key role in shaping economic growth and long-term community success.

• Spearheads the implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Victoria.
• Oversees the departmental budget and financial activities related to economic development initiatives and partner organizations, while contributing to the preparation of the City’s annual budget. Coordinates economic development efforts between, but not limited to, including the City, Victoria Port Authority, Victoria Regional Airport, Victoria County,A&M-Victoria, Victoria College, Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent, Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation (VSTDC), and the Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC).
• Provides leadership in developing short- and long-term economic and community development plans, including conducting research, preparing studies, reports, and recommendations, and proactively collaborating with the City’s Planning Department on initiatives related to future land use.
• Prepares and maintains data related to demographics, utilities, taxes, transportation, community services, financing tools, and incentives to respond to requests for information for economic development purposes and comprehensive reports as required.
• Provides professional economic development guidance; assists with application and permitting processes; and serves as an advocate for the City’s economic development priorities, ordinances, and goals. Extends this advocacy through coordination with external partners, including the County and Council of Governments (e.g., CEDS), ensuring the City of Victoria maintains a strong and active presence in regional initiatives.
• Works closely with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, A&M-Victoria Small Business Development Center, VEDC and various other Boards and Commissions to identify areas of concern to effectively foster a “pro-business” environment for the City of Victoria.
• Works to attract prospective commercial and retail developments to the area with the use of a well-defined marketing strategy.
• Establishes relationships with existing and new developers to identify growth opportunities in the area.
• Promotes business retention and expansion (“BRE”) by building strong relationships with local employers and/or business owners.
• Maintains detailed and accurate documentation of all interactions with local employers and business owners as part of the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program.
• Oversee real estate and redevelopment initiatives, including City-owned properties and negotiation of development agreements.
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities from public and private sources for economic development and community growth. Serve as primary point of contact, in coordination with the Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism, commercial developers, site selectors, brokers and entrepreneurs.
• Serves as a liaison with various local, State, and Federal agencies; coordinates projects with agencies as necessary and appropriate.
• Provides information and makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the public related to economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
• Manages market incentive programs such as tax abatements, grants, and public-private…