Director of Economic Development

About the role

This position is responsible for leading the City’s economic development and tourism initiatives, including office, industrial, and retail development as well as business recruitment and retention.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements policies and procedures supporting the City’s comprehensive economic development program.
• Initiates, develops, and maintains programs that encourage businesses and industries to locate, expand, and remain in the City.
• Develops and administers programs to research, collect, and provide information and materials regarding the City's location advantages to companies considering relocation or expansion.
• Creates, implements, and manages the marketing and positioning strategies to promote the community to prospective companies through direct outreach, events, presentations, electronic marketing, and other targeted campaigns.
• Builds and maintains relationships with the local, regional, and national development and brokerage community to promote economic development opportunities and increase awareness of the City’s growth potential.
• Visits out-of-town business prospects and consultants to promote relocation and expansion opportunities as appropriate.
• Maintains strong working relationships with other economic development organizations representing the local, regional and state-wide levels, such as utility companies, the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
• Manages departmental operations and prepares and administers the annual department budget.
• Ensures effective operational and financial management through forecasting, review of budget submissions, procurement oversight, and monitoring expenditures.
• Makes presentations regarding economic development activities of the City of Rowlett.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field from an accredited school or university required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of seven years’ experience in an economic development discipline, public affairs, banking, business development, real estate brokerage, retail development, public administration, planning, or related area.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license required.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of market research methodologies and public relations principles/practices.
• Common business, government, and real estate and development terminology/practices.
• Economic development practices including current innovations, data resources, and pertinent federal, state, local laws, codes and regulations with focus on tax abatement.

Benefits

The City of Rowlett offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation, holiday, and sick leave, along with medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance. The City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), featuring a generous 2:1 match.