What are the responsibilities and job description for the Economic Development Director position at City of Olympia, WA?
About the Position
Under the general supervision of the Community Planning & Economic Director, this position oversees and implements the City’s economic development strategy – Olympia Strong. This position is a member of the City Manager’s Executive Team and serves as the City’s main point of contact with regional economic development partners, and oversees the City’s creative economy and ARCH (Arts, Culture, and Heritage) work – specifically the Lodging Tax and Cultural Access programs.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Knowledge of business and economic development, small business recruitment, and retention and management practices including elevating opportunities for women in business and entrepreneurs of color.
- Ability to develop and maintain collaborative, respectful, and productive relationships with other governmental agencies, tribal partners, jurisdictions, non-profits, community and business leaders.
- Ability to manage, develop and implement market analysis, strategic plans, economic revitalization strategies, recruitment studies, including project timelines and budget oversight.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to create and deliver effective public presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations with tact and sensitivity.
To Apply
- Submit a cover letter and resume by attaching them to your electronic application. The cover letter must be no more than two pages long and must include specific examples of how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (listed above) for this position.
- Apply by 11:59 pm on February 14, 2025, to be considered in the first review of applications.
- Only Electronic Applications are accepted.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Tim Smith, Interim Community Planning and Development Director at (360) 742-8970 or via email at
tsmith@ci.olympia.wa.us
.
Job Description:
- Oversees and implements the City’s economic development strategy, Olympia Strong.
- Fosters a positive image for the City to employers, potential developers, and businesses.
- Supports regional and local recruitment and retention functions.
- Plans, organizes, and performs activities to enhance economic development activity and development opportunities.
- Develops and implements recommendations for economic development, small business assistance, career pathway development for Olympians, incentive programs, and permitting for City and regional policy makers.
- Supports small business development and success.
- Serves as the City’s main point of contact with regional economic development partners including the Thurston Economic Development Council, the Olympia Downtown Alliance, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Olympia, and others.
- Leads and participates in elements of the City’s creative economy and ARCH (Arts, Culture, and Heritage) work – specifically the Lodging Tax and Cultural Access Tax programs.
- Assists implementing economic and workforce related elements of Citywide planning documents such as the Downtown Strategy, One Community- Homeless Response Plan, Housing Action Plan, and Reimaging Public Safety.
Essential Functions:
1. Coordinates, provides guidance to and reviews the work of staff to accomplish operational plans and results.
2. Schedules and motivates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; makes recommendations regarding disciplinary action.
3. Develops and oversees the implementation of the City’s economic development strategic plan (Olympia Strong); makes recommendations to key internal and external decision makers regarding economic development, small business assistance, job training/career development, affordable housing, economic justice efforts, incentive programs and permitting policies.
4. Plans, organizes and performs activities to enhance economic development activities and opportunities.
5. Develops and maintains strong relationships with major employers and industry groups.
6. Monitors local business activity and trends; encourages tax base growth and revenue generating capacity.
7. Serves as resource to internal teams and staff concerning business and economic issues.
8. Develops and monitors departmental budget and related contracts.
9. Serves as liaison to the business community; coordinates with various local, county and state entities, such as chambers of commerce, improvement areas, business associations, port authorities, convention bureaus, colleges and universities.
10. Supports core economic resources including health care, tourism, arts and entertainment and government sectors.
11. Manages development of market analysis, retail strategy and business recruitment, and economic revitalization strategy; implements recommendations from these studies and from community and business dialogue.
12. Collaborates with workforce development partners focused on creating new employment pathways, and education and pilot programs.
13. Prepares and presents information and recommendations to business community groups, advisory groups and City Council.
14. Assists in real estate efforts on City owned properties or acquisitions including various project management components for redevelopment efforts.
15. Assists in the development and implementation of the City's community renewal area.
16. Participates in implementing the economic development element of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Strategic Plan, and Parking Strategy Plan.
17. May schedule and motivate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; make recommendations regarding disciplinary action.
18. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.
Typical Qualifications:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
1. Advanced knowledge of business and economic development, small business recruitment, and retention and management practices including elevating opportunities for women in business and entrepreneurs of color.
2. Advanced knowledge of urban design, land development and environmental regulation.
3. Advanced knowledge of community development block grant programs and processes including community renewal areas.
4. Advanced knowledge of commercial real estate markets and lending practices, economic analysis techniques related to market, and feasibility and impact studies.
5. Advanced knowledge of available incentives for economic development and business recruitment.
6. Advanced knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
7. Knowledge of different roles of local, regional and state economic development agencies.
8. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
9. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problems.
10. Skill in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands and ability to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
11. Skill at effectively representing the City in situations which are potentially adversarial or stressful.
12. Skill at managing, developing and implementing market analysis, strategic plans and business recruitment studies, including project timelines and budget oversight.
13. Ability to analyze complex issues and impacts, identify clear and concise recommendations and alternative solutions, foresee consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
14. Ability to negotiate and seek creative solutions to encourage economic revitalization.
15. Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met.
16. Ability to correctly interpret and efficiently implement all applicable policies and procedures.
17. Ability to read, analyze and interpret program related laws and regulations and establish necessary work processes and procedures.
18. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Experience/Education:
1. High school diploma or GED and fourteen (14) years of increasingly responsible economic development experience including community-building, outreach, business relationship management, and strategic planning; private sector economic development experience is preferred;
2. OR associate degree in business, communications, economics, urban planning or a related field and twelve (12) years of experience as listed above;
3. OR bachelor’s degree in business, communications, economics, urban planning or a related field and seven (7) years of experience as listed above;
4. OR master’s degree in in business, communications, economics, urban planning or a related field preferred
5. OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
Special Requirements:
1. A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required.
2. May be required to successfully pass a criminal background check.
3. Certified Economic Developer designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is preferred.
Union:
Independents
Compensation (minimum-maximum):
$128,712.00 - $193,068.00
Exempt:
YesThe City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Nicole Camus, Deputy Human Resources Director, at 360.753.8213 or
ncamus@ci.olympia.wa.us
. This contact is for ADA accommodations only. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager noted in the Contact section near the top of this recruitment.
For general application or position questions please contact the hiring supervisor or Human Resources at humanresources@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Join the City of Olympia team!
Olympia is a vibrant, healthy and beautiful Capital City and a great place to work, live and play.
The City of Olympia provides competitive pay, great benefits, and supports work-life balance. We are an equal opportunity employer strongly committed to honoring diversity, equity and belonging within our workforce and community. Please consider bringing your talents to the City of Olympia, where we value compassion, integrity and effectiveness in our work to make a difference every day.
Salary : $128,712 - $193,068
