Position DescriptionThe City of Tacoma is recruiting candidates for the executive position of Community and Economic Development (CED) Director. The CED Director is a key member of the City's Executive Leadership Team with a critical leadership role in advancing the City's economic development strategy, including business recruitment and retention, funding and development of housing, arts and culture and community development. The CED Director performs highly complex, innovative work resulting in positive, significant impacts to Tacoma and the regional community.
The CED Director reports to the City Manager and has a broad range of strategic, analytical, administrative, and project management duties. The position plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the City's CED Department. The CED Director also develops strategic partnerships with community representatives, business community, external agencies, and other organizations to guide economic strategic planning.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Guided by City Council and community input, develops an economic development strategy for the City to include short and long range planning.
- Advises the City Manager and Council on emerging and existing economic development issues.
- Collaborates with department directors and other senior managers to analyze organization and community needs and takes action in response to those needs.
- Proactively monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of economic development policies and programs, while identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Fosters external partnerships (locally, regionally and internationally) to further the City's economic development goals.
- Directs the development and administration of budgets, policies, projects, and programs of the department to deliver high quality services effectively and efficiently to the community.
- Ensures department operations conform to local, state, and federal government regulations, and other applicable rules and policies.
- Supports the growth and retention of small businesses through implementation of programs, policies, and outreach designed to champion Tacoma’s small business economy.
- Leads the City's workforce development strategy to increase the number of Tacoma’s residents to obtain the skills necessary to meet industry's needs for qualified workers now and for the future.
- Oversee the financing initiatives using federal, state, and local resources to support affordable housing development and preservation citywide.
- Develops partnerships that lead to sustainable economic growth with shared prosperity.
- Provides strategic leadership, performance management and oversight to the CED department, ensuring timely and quality completion of deliverables and an equitable and inclusive work environment.
IDEAL CANDIDATE A successful candidate will be an innovative and experienced leader with a demonstrated commitment to inclusive community and economic development. They possess diverse private and/or public sector experience with knowledge of economic development focused on capital investment, workforce development/job creation, incentives, entrepreneurial and business startups, business incubators / accelerators, public-private partnerships, business administration, economics, and the future of work.
As the CED Director, the candidate will create, develop, maintain, and implement community and economic development strategies, programs, projects, policies, and services. They must excel in economic development, job creation, personnel management, municipal operations, and innovative leadership, and be adept at establishing and maintaining effective relationships with both internal and external partners.
THE COMMUNITY Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, giving residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to a large number of institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.
With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this
YouTube Video! DEPARTMENT MISSION Our mission is to facilitate equitable economic growth and opportunity in Tacoma by supporting existing businesses, enabling reinvestment and revitalization, and promoting the attraction and creation of new businesses, living wage jobs, and housing options to enhance the quality of life in the community.
CITY OF TACOMA COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND DIVERSITY At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Qualifications MINIMUM EDUCATION* Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, planning or directly related field
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE* 12 years professional experience in community development and/or affordable housing including prior supervisory and managerial experience.
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Selection Process & Supplemental Information APPLY Interested individuals should apply online. Please attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.
Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF TACOMA: We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591.5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 7/30/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
