Economic Development & Housing Director

The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota's sixth largest municipality, seeks an Economic Development & Housing Director to join the Community Development Department's leadership team.  This position plays a key role in helping the community achieve its vision: Brooklyn Park, a thriving community inspiring pride where opportunities exist for all.

This role advances innovative projects and new approaches to economic development, housing and redevelopment.  Collaborating closely with the Director of Community Development, the Economic Development & Housing Director provides the City's Economic Development Authority/Housing Redevelopment Authority (EDA) with strategic leadership and administrative staff support.  The position is also responsible for the direction, management and leadership of a team of six to seven staff who manage the City's economic development and redevelopment initiatives, housing services, business development services and neighborhood preservation strategies.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Recruitment will continue until the position is filled, with first review of applications on Monday, March 3, 2025.  

• Lead, manage and direct six to seven division staff to include selection, training, motivation, program/project and work performance evaluation and review.
• In collaboration with other city leaders, develop policies, practices, and strategic initiatives that further the City's mission and the goals and objectives of the City Council/Economic Development Authority/Housing Redevelopment Authority.
• Oversee the negotiation and management of numerous professional services contracts, development agreements, real estate transactions, and grant agreements, including large scale development contracts with complex financial arrangements. 
• Administer division's budget, including tax increment financing and tax abatement districts, grant and revenue funds, and other special project funds.
• Oversee, direct, coordinate and/or assign special projects to include research, analysis, development, and implementation.
• Establish and maintain external relationships for the city.
• Serve on committees that can benefit and advance EDH goals and strategies.
• Prepare reports and presentations for a variety of audience members, including, City Council and residents.
• Respond to requests from elected officials and community partners as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.  

Education
Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, planning, or closely related fields;  AND
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible management experience, including applicable supervisory experience managing the work performance of a variety of work groups and a variety of individuals; ad applicable and relevant fiscal responsibilities.

Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license.

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of structure, function, operations, programs and services of an Economic Development and Housing Division.
• Knowledge of business and public financing, real estate principles, housing development, and tax increment financing.
• Strong financial and budgetary skills.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations applicable to planning, housing and redevelopment.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices of employee supervision to include work planning and assignment, project management and performance evaluation and review.
• Ability to mentor staff and identify development needs.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of consensus building, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
• Ability to build cohesive work teams and foster teamwork to achieve solutions to complex community-wide issues.
• Knowledge of how the different disciplines of Community Development and Economic Development interconnect internally and with the other city departments.
• Ability to develop and implement division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Ability to use performance measurement techniques/tactics to measure quality of public services.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives.
• Ability to effectively develop strategic positions, special projects and programs to implement and achieve objectives.
• Ability to effectively and successfully conduct negotiation processes.
• Ability to accurately and effectively interpret, analyze and explain complex information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment to define and analyze problems, utilize resources, identify solutions, develop and implement recommendation/proposals.
• Ability to independently organize and coordinate work, set priorities, manage multiple assignments and successfully work within deadlines and time constraints.
• Ability to interact, develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all organizational levels, internally and externally.
• Ability to clearly, concisely and effectively communicate, both in verbal and written formats with specific emphasis on effective public speaking and presentation skills and technique.
• Working knowledge of computer applications.
• Demonstrated success working in multicultural spaces and advancing economic inclusion strategies.
• Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience and understanding in the course of work duties.
• Ability to relate to and work with individuals representing a variety of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the city’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction. 
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement. 

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree or advanced coursework in Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field.
• Ten (10) years progressively responsible management and administrative experience in economic development, business development/financing, redevelopment, housing, planning or closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in advancing innovative projects and new approaches to economic development, housing and redevelopment.
• Previous experience leading/directing a state or local government entity.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese.

Working Conditions

• The job requires a moderate level of attention to details and deadlines more than 50% of the time. Physical activity is intermittent and occasional such as walking and standing at construction sites and carrying or moving materials up to 10 pounds. 
• Driving is frequent. 
• There may be occasional exposure to hostile or aggressive behavior by members of the public.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
 
Background Check 
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Approximately 60 percent of our residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
   Our Vision, Values and Goals  Department/Division:  Community Development/Economic Development & Housing

Anticipated Work Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt, non-union position with a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight (8)-hour work day; includes occasional evening and weekend hours including one or more City Council and/or Economic Development Authority meetings a month typically on Monday evenings.

Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs.  Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy e.g., flexible or remote.  

Anticipated Hiring Range:  $123,656 - $150,000; depending on qualifications

Resume and Cover Letter Requested:   To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume and cover letter to their application to be considered for this position.  

Please direct any inquiries related to this position to Tim Gladhill, Director of Community Development, by phone 763-493-8050 or by email tim.gladhill@brooklynpark.org.

Salary : $123,656 - $167,294