Economic Development Director

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Management West Haven, CT, US

22 days ago Requisition

Economic Development Director

Summary:

Plans, organizes and implements economic development functions from conception to completion, including business retention, business attraction and incentive programs, manage redevelopment activities; supervises grant department, performs a variety of responsible administrative, professional and technical tasks. Implements economic development goals and objectives for the City of West Haven, interfaces and coordinates with the development community, local businesses and various City of West Haven departments and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Assume management responsibilities for all services and activities of economic development including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities; establishes and maintains a private/public partnership for positive long-term economic change and implementation of the City of West Haven’s economic development strategies:

• Increase Workforce Opportunities for residents
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Business Recruitment and Marketing
• Development of short and long term economic and community development plans, as well as the gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports and recommendations to achieve such goals.
• Analyzes existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; review modern techniques for business attraction and retention and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; monitors program performance and provides reports to the City of West Haven Mayor, Economic Development Commission and the City Council.
• Becomes familiar with the existing inventory of available buildings, parcels and businesses in the City of West Haven. This will include both public and private buildings and land areas.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of various economic development programs and efforts.
• Manages the development and implementation of economic change through retention, expansion, attraction of commerce and light industry and the creation of incentive zone/programs.
• Develop infrastructure (industrial parks, shell buildings, utilities, transportation, etc.) to support business growth and expansion.
• Represents the City of West Haven at appropriate civic, cultural, charitable, business and community activities as well as serving on boards, commissions, committees and organizations related to the areas that are critical to the City of West Haven’s goals and interests.
• Prepares and presents annual budget for approval by the West Haven City Council and Mayor.
• Serves a liaison with various local, state and federal agencies, coordinating projects with agencies as deemed necessary and appropriate.
• Provides information and makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the public on economic development issues, programs, services and plans.
• Oversees the administration of the City of West Haven’s, enterprise zone and tax credit programs.
• Identifies workforce needs of the business community and coordinates action with educational and training institutions to develop and provide the appropriate training and educational programs.
• Manages City Grants Department and helps identify grants to achieve community goals.
• Provides project management direction and oversight.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A strong communicator who expresses themself well and builds positive working relationships with other staff members, partners, small and large businesses, consultants, funders and community members.
• A solid background in leadership, management, budget oversight and supervisory experience.
• Must have demonstrated experience successfully completing time-sensitive and/or high-profile projects through collaboration, consensus and creativity.
• A goal-oriented thinker who has the ability to set clear priorities among multiple tasks and stay focused on…