City of Annapolis – Economic Development Manager

• Economic Development Manager (N17)
• City of Annapolis
• Job Number: 202500067
• Department: Planning and Zoning
• Filing Deadline: Open until filled

Job Summary

Responsible for the efficient implementation and management of a comprehensive economic development program within the Department of Planning; participates and leads comprehensive and land use planning focused on economic development, revitalization, and community wellbeing, manages and supervises the work of employees/contractors in the Economic Development division in developing and implementing program activities; builds and maintains effective working relationships with other division(s), City departments, Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and other partners; markets and recruits new businesses and employers to the City; helps retain existing businesses and assists new and existing businesses in navigating permitting, licensing and regulatory processes.

Essential Job Functions

(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this job description are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all the job duties of all positions in the job classification. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily, with or without, reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.)

• Develops, promotes, and executes a comprehensive economic development plan which guides efforts for recruiting new businesses and employers, building the tax base, retaining existing businesses, and improving the economic well-being of the City’s residents.
• Manage and organize the planning and implementation of complex economic development projects and activities; establish objectives, priorities, and schedules and project budgets.
• Manage economic development activities including business and industrial recruitment, business retention and expansion and retail recruitment.
• Manage, oversee, and participate in the development of the economic development work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Hires contractors related to specific economic development projects and programs and oversees their work.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned professional, technical, and administrative support personnel.
• Actively and strategically markets Annapolis and supports the growth of the traditional business centers and the maritime industry.
• Serves as or oversees grants administrator, liaison, and representative to programs such as the Main Street program in partnership with Main Streets Annapolis and the Arts and Entertainment District.
• Assists existing and new companies by identifying financing tools available in County, State and Federal programs.
• Encourage and participate in community engagement activities related to economic development; represent the City at community planning, interagency and professional meetings and conferences.
• Builds effective coalitions with business associations for the promotion and support of new and existing businesses.
• Supports tourism as a function of economic development and works closely with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and other key partners.
• Develops programs to service traditional business districts within the City and helps address concerns or challenges as they arise.
• Compiles and maintains critical information in support of the Department’s planning functions and that may be desired by business prospects, such as economic data, land use and building/structure information, market data, and business support resources;
• Promotes sustainable economic development and ensures that diverse business and job opportunities are accessible and relevant to all segments of the community.
• Develops advertising and media placement plans in conjunction with the Communications Officer; initiates and follows-up on prospects and contacts; makes visits to interested businesses and firms.
• Reviews development proposals, collaborates with Department staff and responds to inquiries regarding development requirements and works to assist businesses to successfully navigate permit, licensing and regulatory processes.
• Develop performance schedules, evaluation criteria and performance reporting for economic development projects; perform or manage the performance of field work and data collection.
• Maintains contact with local and regional organizations having shared interest in economic development within the City and region.
• Performs other job-related work as assigned by the Director.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of economic development project management, and real estate.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, specifically regulations and procedures concerning economic development, redevelopment and land use rules and regulations; real estate acquisition and relocation procedures and assessment district financing and structure.
• Thorough knowledge offinancial procedures and regulations pertaining to real estate acquisition and disposition, loan management, and property improvements.
• Knowledge ofprinciples, practices and methods of public administration including budgeting, purchasing, and personnel supervision and management.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of planning, formulating, analyzing, and implementing economic development programs and activities.
• Thorough knowledge of the location and other requirements of business firms operating in the City as well as of possible expansion needs.
• Considerable knowledge of marketing, media and other avenues of recruiting business firms.
• Knowledge of the capabilities, operating characteristics, and advanced functions of a variety of office automation software, (e.g., database, spreadsheet, work processing, presentation, etc.).
• Ability in the proficient use of operating a personal computer (PC), utilizing Microsoft Office Suite or similar and a willingness to learn new technology associated with assigned work tasks.
• Ability to represent the City’s program effectively in person, verbally or in writing.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with economic development partners, entrepreneurs, financing sources, business associations and City and other public agencies.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, ordinances, regulations, maps, plans and development documents.
• Ability to prepare and present staff reports on various economic development projects and programs.
• Ability to Conduct highly complex negotiations and prepare and monitor contracts and agreements.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Ability to interpret programs and policies for the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an accredited university in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; and ten (10) years of professional supervisory experience in economic development within the urban planning or related field.

Special Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years considerable related experience in commercial and industrial real estate development and business financing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred. Master’s Degree in Urban Planning is preferred.

Employment Conditions

Physical/Mental Demands:

• The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Some work is performed in other environments, such as outside, on an occasional or as-needed basis.