Economic Development Director

The City of Ennis is seeking a dynamic and strategic Economic Development Director to lead efforts in fostering economic growth, attracting new businesses, and supporting local enterprises. This role is responsible for developing and executing economic policies, securing investments, and working collaboratively with public and private sector stakeholders to enhance the community’s economic vitality.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and implements policies and procedures related to the City’s economic development program and activities including short-term and long-term strategies for the retention of existing business as well as growth opportunities for new business.
  
• Implements marketing and promotional strategies for showcasing the City of Ennis to new industry and businesses; partners with community stakeholders to build a strong workforce. 
  
• Participates in long-range planning and makes verbal and written recommendations for a unified program of economic and community development. 
  
• Directs economic research activities to determine the needs and economic impact of projects.
  
• Research’s strategic and leverage opportunities to aid in the development and funding of development, redevelopment and revitalization projects and improvements. 
  
• Initiates strategies and plans for assessing problems and trends associated with growth and development of the City’s economy and tax base. 
  
• Develops and maintains alliances with stakeholders including TSTC, Workforce Solutions, Texas Economic Development 
• Council, and others.
  
• Coordinates citywide business attraction and retention efforts by working with businesses, site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and developers to showcase investment and growth opportunities.
  
• Monitors and prepares reports; makes presentations to staff, elected officials, boards, commissions, committees, and other citizen groups. 
  
• Serves as the City’s liaison with the business community; represents the City at public hearings, meetings, events, and conferences. 
  
• Acts as City representative in business activities by leading advisory boards at regional, state, and national levels; and responds to media, citizen, and business inquiries.
  
• Creates and manages a legislative agenda on behalf of the City Manager and the City. Identifies and develops plans and coordinates with legislators to address needs and risks for the City at the state level.
  
• Supervises staff, which includes prioritizing and assigning work; conducts performance evaluations; and ensures employees follow policies and procedures. 
  
• Has frequent contact with employees, citizens, local state, federal agencies, and other city departments.
  
• Ability to arrive to work on time and must maintain a regular and reliable level of attendance.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned
  

• Procedures and strategies of economic and community development and analysis in a governmental setting, including demographics, economic trends, forecasts, and impacts.
• City policies and procedures, as well as County, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations related to economic planning and development.
• Building and zoning codes and ordinances as related to development and redevelopment.
• Contract development, mediation, negotiation, and administration.
• Mediating and negotiating differences between developers, contractors, builders, planners, and community organizations to best meet the needs of the City.
• Identifying and projecting fiscal impacts of trends or projects on community tax base.
• Creating and maintaining a positive image among community groups, individuals, media, governmental entities, and the business community.
• Working   knowledge  of  the   principles  and  concepts   of  public/private  development   project  investment  and financing techniques for commercial property.   
• Must be able to administer and follow City ordinances, rules, regulations and policies and ensure direct report staff does the same.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in economic development, public administration, business administration, marketing, or a closely related field is required; a master’s degree is preferred. CEcD, PCED, or EDFP certification is desirable. 

This position requires a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development.

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills may be considered. Residency is strongly desired, but not required

Salary : $125,381 - $175,545