Economic Development Manager

Description
We are searching for a highly motivated Economic Development Manager! Sherwood, Oregon is a welcoming community with residents who enjoy the quality of life afforded by the picturesque surroundings, economic opportunities and community engagement. This rapidly growing city is part of the Willamette Valley known for its delectable Pinot Noirs and is surrounded by the Tualatin and Chehalem Mountains. A city of more than 20,000 people call Sherwood home and Washington County has approximately 450,000 residents. This county’s communities serve as great places to raise families for those working in Portland as well as neighboring employment centers in the silicon forest that makes up the metro region.

Under administrative direction, the Economic Development Manager will coordinate, direct and implement programs and projects that support commercial, office and industrial development; work force development; the attraction of and assistance to domestic and international businesses; development of public facilities and infrastructure; small business development initiatives; and/or other economic development, redevelopment or capital improvement programs or projects. Work includes conceptual program design, development of financing plans for public or private expenditures, site and structural design analysis, solicitation of and negotiation with private developers, economic development planning, interdepartmental coordination, and direction of programs. The work is oriented towards short term or multiyear projects. Position is responsible to ensure organization compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to the employer-employee relationship in an advisory manner.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
This description covers the most significant essential and auxiliary duties performed by the position, but does not include other occasional work, which may be similar, related to, or a logical assignment for the position.

Essential Duties:
Direct and implement goals and objectives stated in the City of Sherwood Economic Development Strategy.
Develop management plans including current and critical path schedules for public improvement and private redevelopment projects.
Research, analyze and monitor the general economic environment and conditions on the local, state, and national economy and the City’s economic development objectives. Recommend new economic development programs or projects.
Promote and market programs. Develop and design educational/promotional materials and strategies to implement the City’s economic development objectives. Provide positive public relations and customer service. Represent program in events.
Coordinate grant program; identify potential grant opportunities relating to program areas and City departments; gather information and draft grant applications; assist City departments in drafting and submitting grant applications; monitor grant activity and provide technical assistance to sub-grantees throughout process.
Serve as liaison with federal, state, regional and local organizations, advisory board(s), special interest groups, committees or other City boards and commissions on economic development matters. Represent the City with neighborhoods, civic and business organizations on economic matters.
Receive, investigate, and respond to problems and complaints in a professional manner. Identify and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
Develop and implement business assistance, business retention and recruitment plans.
Broker business assistance services in the areas of finance, marketing, business planning etc.
Solicit development proposals from private development companies.
Prepare, negotiate, and administer development contracts with private developers.
Organize and monitor the activities of functional operation units within the City impacting economic development projects.
Prepare, recommend and monitor program budgets. Provide explanation for variances.
Administer Urban Renewal plans, policies, and budget in compliance with state guidelines and regulations including review of administrative policies.
Develop and manage business financing programs through tools such as urban renewal districts and economic development incentives.
Develop, prepare, and present reports and documents on economic development activities for administrative and City Council decision making.
Participate in staff selection; train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service internally and externally.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, other organizations and the general public.
Follow all safety rules and procedures for work areas.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Auxiliary Duties:

Undertake special projects and research as directed. Provide assistance to other City Departments as workload and staffing levels dictate. Maintain proficiency by attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility. Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices in the areas of economic development programs, small business assistance, public administration, research methods and report presentation. Principles of municipal and private sector budgeting, accounting and finance methods, principles of real estate purchase, sales and financing, principles of customer service and public relations, principles of urban land development and Urban Renewal Districts, project development, scheduling, monitoring and control systems, economic principles and techniques, real estate feasibility, financing techniques, contract negotiation and project management.
Ability to:
Successfully develop economic development strategies and programs, conduct highly complex technical research, impact analysis and interpretations in the areas of urban growth/redevelopment and economic development strategies. Effectively develop practical and workable concepts relating to economic development and small business assistance programs for the City. Successfully manage the operations and budget of a division. Successfully write and administer contracts and grants and develop other funding sources. Effectively facilitate group processes. Productively manage and/or participate on a team and in a team environment including the ability to develop a team approach to producing high quality results and to build consensus and resolve conflicts. Effectively manage multiple programs and staff including hiring, training, coaching, disciplinary action, performance management and termination. Demonstrate leadership behavior to employees, contractors, public officials, other agencies, customers and the general public. Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with the business community, employees, contractors, other agencies, public officials and the general public. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse customers, employees, contractors, other agencies, public officials and the general public. Ability to make presentations and develop reports that may include technical information. Properly and effectively use word processing, spreadsheet and other software applications as required for position.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying; typical education would include a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public or business administration, economic development, urban planning, or related field. Typical experience would include five (5) years of responsible experience at a level which required supervision or management of projects and programs in urban economic development, economics, business assistance, public facility or infrastructure development, commercial development, transportation development, public and/or private finance, or workforce development.
Special Requirements/Licenses:
Possession of valid Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within six months of appointment.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 5 pounds on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc., and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds. Manual dexterity and coordination are required less than 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.
Working Conditions:
Usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises. The role holder must be able to attend evening meetings and events on a regular basis and must be able to travel to meetings in other locations (typically in Oregon).