Economic Development Manager

This is responsible professional, administrative, and management-level work in planning, directing, and implementing economic development activities. Funded partially through tax increment financing, the position will primarily focus on work in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (SSPCRA), which is 7.4 square miles in area and has a population of over 34,000 residents, one-third below poverty. Established in 2014, the SSPCRA focuses on creating and implementing programs advancing opportunities for affordable housing, workforce development, and business development. The position will also oversee the Intown and Intown West CRAs, focusing on infrastructure improvements, placemaking, and redevelopment opportunities in the downtown area. Work involves planning, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the activities of employees engaged in the research, compilation, analysis, and evaluation of economic and marketing data for the creation of economic/business growth programs in the City; serving as the City liaison between in developing cooperative relationships among representatives of state, regional, and local business groups, associations and other public and private organizations to promote economic development in the City; attending civic and public meetings to explain various aspects of local economic development programs; planning and formulating policies, organizing and implementing development programs and public and private financing programs to facilitate and promote desirable economic growth in the area; and coordinating with other departments in the City that support the CRA’s redevelopment objectives. Work includes assisting with the design, development, and coordination of plans for existing and new community development programs; reviewing and completing grant applications to facilitate projects for commercial and industrial growth; processing applications and implementing projects for a variety of state, federal, and local incentive programs; maintaining statistical information and performing business analytics; attending civic meetings to make presentations and explain economic development plans and projects; and preparing correspondence, reports, and manuals. Work also requires considerable independent judgment, initiative, ingenuity, and tact. The position requires extensive, productive interaction with City officials, other governmental agencies, business owners, neighborhood representatives, and the general public.

Salary: $93,979 - $148,127

Close Date: 05-09-2025 (11:59 PM)

Minimum Qualifications. Applicants must:

• Have a valid Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in public administration, business administration, economics, or a related field.

• Possess and continue to maintain a valid Driver License.

• Have significant experience promoting reinvestment in housing and neighborhoods, commercial corridors, business development, education and workforce development, and non-profit capacity building by utilizing tax increment financing to leverage private investment in Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) through public-private partnerships.

• Have extensive knowledge of Florida Statutes Chapter 163, Part III, known as the “Community Redevelopment Act of 1969.”

• Have thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and research methodology essential to compiling, analyzing, and evaluating economic and marketing data.

• Have thorough knowledge of municipal organization and department functions, operating procedures and requirements related to economic development.

• Have considerable knowledge and experience in the administration of economic development incentive and financing programs.

• Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

• Be skilled in the use of a computer, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access).

• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred applicants:

• Have a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, economics, or related field.

• Have considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws and private sector influences that affect economic development.

• Are able to effectively interpret and apply regulations and principles regarding economic development; and are able to competently maintain comprehensive records of economic development activities and prepare related reports and correspondence.

• Possess certification as a professional planner, economic developer, housing or finance specialist.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For purposes of employment, re-employment, promotion, transfer or demotion, the most qualified applicants will be selected to continue in the hiring process. At this point, any prior criminal records will be verified. A prior criminal record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment. The City of St. Petersburg is committed to a Drug Free Workplace and compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing rules. Applicants may be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing and/or medical exams.