Deputy Director, Economic Development

$113,333 - $170,000/Yr

City Of Glendale - Glendale, AZ

Full-time - Manager

Glendale, AZ

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The City of Glendale's Economic Development Department is dedicated to fostering a vibrant business environment that supports local entrepreneurs and attracts new businesses to the area. The Deputy Director of Economic Development plays a crucial role in this mission by assisting the department director in planning, organizing, and directing various initiatives aimed at achieving the economic development objectives set forth by the City Council and City Manager. This position is responsible for overseeing a diverse array of citywide programs, including business attraction and retention, citywide redevelopment, tourism, special events, and arts & culture. In this role, the Deputy Director will manage complex special projects, ensuring that they align with the strategic goals of the city. This includes meeting with internal staff, developers, architects, bankers, and business owners to develop programs that attract and retain new and expanding businesses. The Deputy Director will also be responsible for making presentations to external groups and organizations, responding to inquiries and complaints from the media, citizens, and businesses, and preparing comprehensive reports and studies. The position requires strong leadership skills, as the Deputy Director will directly supervise division administrators, program managers, and administrative support staff. This includes hiring, assigning work, establishing goals, coaching, and evaluating performance. The Deputy Director will also serve as a mediator between staff and private sector interests, ensuring equity and resolving complex issues. Overall, this role is pivotal in driving the economic development agenda of Glendale, ensuring that the department operates efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of the community.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Economic Development Director in planning, organizing, and directing research and implementation efforts to achieve economic development objectives.
• Manage complex special projects at the direction of the Economic Development Director or City Manager.
• Meet with internal staff, developers, architects, bankers, business owners, and landlords to develop programs for attracting and retaining businesses.
• Make presentations on behalf of the department to external groups and organizations, and to the City Council.
• Respond to media, citizen, and business inquiries and complaints.
• Prepare and review grant applications and comprehensive reports.
• Assign and review the work of subordinates, and evaluate their performance.
• Administer the departmental budget in accordance with program goals and objectives.
• Provide quality customer service and ensure departmental staff deliver quality service.
• Serve as arbitrator/mediator between staff and private sector interests to ensure equity and avoid delays.
• Resolve complex or sensitive issues related to employees and clients.
• Interpret and enforce city ordinances pertaining to economic development.
• Manage the formulation and implementation of department policies and economic development programs.
• Negotiate agreements with various stakeholders including tenants, owners, and developers.
• Act in the absence of the Director, attending meetings and providing leadership.
• Seek relevant professional training to advance the department's programs and services.
• Supervise division administrators, program managers, and administrative support staff, including hiring and performance evaluation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing, public administration, or a related field.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Five years of program management experience in business operations, downtown development, special event management, urban economic development, or urban planning.
• Knowledge of economic development marketing and branding, program implementation, and analysis.
• Understanding of redevelopment and economic development financing principles.
• Familiarity with urban economic development and redevelopment practices.
• Ability to negotiate and perform cost/benefit analyses.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in digital content creation and marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies of various government agencies.
• Experience in customer service practices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $113,333 - $170,000 annually.
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) with a mandatory contribution rate of 12.27%.
• Accrual of vacation leave at 5.33 hours per pay period, increasing with years of service.
• Sick leave accrual at 4.4 hours per pay period.
• 10.5 holidays observed per year, plus additional special leave for cultural or religious holidays.