Economic Development Project Manager

Position Scope

GENERAL PURPOSE: Under general supervision, assists the department in the recruitment, retention, and expansion of commercial development opportunities. Emphasis is on working in a collaborative, cross-departmental setting dealing with the challenges associated with rapid growth and seeking out creative solutions to development related issues. This position will focus on Aviation and Industrial sectors.

Embrace the New - Do Right - Lend a Hand - Find a Way - Enjoy our Work - Celebrate Uniqueness

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Promotes and develops the City by recruiting and expanding businesses in the community.
• Manages the recruitment of business by researching companies and industries, developing strategic and marketing plans, generating business leads, representing the City at trade shows, preparing and providing presentations and proposals to private sector executives, and negotiating agreements on behalf of the City.
• Manage and coordinate proposals to clients, respond to inquiries and requests from clients, and assist in presentations and site visits.
• Manages and conducts market research consistent with the City’s target industries, interfaces with other departments to incorporate technology, and manages the development of client databases.
• Provides staff support to key economic development programs, projects, boards, commissions, and/or task forces as needed.
• Develops and implements marketing strategies by developing plans for identification and pursuit of target industries, including preparation and distribution of digital and print marketing materials.
• Assists in negotiating development agreements with clients after determining project parameters, including analyzing and interpreting fiscal and economic impacts and presenting to City leadership and personnel.
• Manages and coordinates intra-departmental teams designed to assist locates with the entitlement and construction process.
• Makes written and verbal presentations to City management, Council, the general public and outside groups, agencies, and organizations, including professional association, brokers, developers, trade shows, conferences, and others.
• Models the City's values and culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

In addition to the Primary Duties and Responsibilities listed above, may include some, or all, or the additional elements below based on the specific job assignment.
Aviation:

• Focus is on the attraction strategies around the Buckeye Municipal Airport, including but not limited to:
  • Research, market, recruit, plan and manage development of new businesses at and around the airport.
  • Create and implement research strategies to support economic development efforts at the airport, develop and implement marketing strategies, and establish relationships with the business/development community to advance aviation attraction efforts.
  • Main liaison to the Airport Department and represent the economic development interests in airport planning areas.

Industrial:

• Focus is on the attraction strategies for the industrial sector of Buckeye, including but not limited to:
  • Research, market, recruit, plan and manage the attraction of new industrial businesses and the expansion of existing businesses.
  • Create and implement research strategies to support economic development efforts, develop and implement marketing strategies, and establish relationships with the business/development community to advance industrial development.

Retail & Services:

• Focus is on the attraction of new retail, entertainment, hospitality, healthcare and services, and other attraction efforts within the department including but not limited to:
  • Research, market, recruit, plan and manage development of new business across the City.
  • Create and implement research strategies to support economic development efforts in target industries, develop and implement marketing strategies, and establish relationships within the business/development community to advance attraction efforts.

Redevelopment:

• Focus is on the execution of department redevelopment strategies in Historic Downtown Buckeye which includes the implementation of the department tasks as outlined in the Downtown Specific Area Plan, including but not limited to:
  • Attraction of new businesses to the area, creating financial models/programs that entice development (business improvement districts), manage the Catalyst Program, create marketing strategies around Downtown, participate in new wayfinding design/installation, generate engaging downtown design, streetscape, and public enhancement activities.
  • Main liaison to the Mainstreet Coalition and to the Development Services Department.

Minimum Qualifications & Position Requirements

Education and Experience: An equivalent combination of a Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Development, Geography, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, Real Estate, a related field and 4 years’ experience in economic development, redevelopment, community development, business assistance, real estate development, public/private finance, or related field.

Preferred: Experience in a local government setting in a rapidly growing community; marketing and research principles.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and strategies of economic development, community development, planning and zoning, and related economic development principles and practices.
• Economic development marketing, research, incentives, financial analysis, and database management.
• Customer relationship management.
• Public administration and government operations.
• Strategy and program development principles and practices.
• Project development, scheduling, and monitoring.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Commercial/industrial real estate development.

Skill in:

• Collecting, tabulating, organizing, analyzing, and presenting complex economic development related data and information.
• Comfortable communicating both one-on-one and with larger groups.
• Excellence oral, written, and electronic communication.
• Creative development solutions, including public and private partnerships.
• Dealing with a rapid growth environment and the issues associated with that, such as the lack of infrastructure and existing building stock.
• Proficient and efficient in research.
• Organization and multi-tasking.

Ability to:

• Successfully attract new businesses, retain/expand existing businesses, and help to foster entrepreneurial development, in order to grow the City's employment base.
• Problem solve in a creative and strategic manner.
• Take direction well, follow oral and written instructions, and be pro-active in seeking out new opportunities.
• Excel as a team player.
• Establish and foster a cooperative intra-departmental relationship for the benefit of clients.
• Manage change.
• Maintain a highly professional demeanor.
• Provide a high level of customer service to our clients.
• Think and act independently.
• Effectively use technology to assist in job functions.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work.

Additional Information

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Arizona Driver’s license.
Physical Demands / Work Environment: Standard office environment; occasional site visits in the field.
Reports To: Economic Development Deputy Director
Supervision Exercised: None
FLSA Status: Exempt

12 Month Goals:

• Gain a working knowledge of the Buckeye development process fostering internal relationships with Development Services, Engineering and other departments that pertain to the development continuum.
• Become familiar with the current internal plans and documents associated with assigned industry sector(s) and prepare reports on economic development activities.
• Develop and implement plans to promote the attraction of new investment within assigned industry sector(s).
• Participate in local, regional, and national events/conferences associated with assigned industry sector(s).
• Engage and coordinate with local, regional and state economic development partners (Buckeye Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Association for Economic Development, Westmarc, Arizona Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, etc.).
• Track, manage and respond to inquiries, leads and active projects.
• Engage with existing Buckeye businesses to support and better understand the needs within the assigned industry sector(s).
• Cultivate relationships with property owners, real estate professionals, and industry leaders in assigned sector(s) to bring investment to Buckeye.
• Pursue opportunities to partner and collaborate with internal and external parties to further promote Buckeye as the location of choice for assigned industry sector(s).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Employee Benefits & Wellness

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time classified and management employees. Part-time classified employees may be eligible for select benefits where defined.

For complete Benefit Plan & Wellness Information, please visit the City website at:
Benefits & Wellness

City benefit plans are subject to change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 7/3/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

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