What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director of Economic Development position at York County, South Carolina?
About Us
York County is located in the Piedmont region, between Broad River and Catawba River. The diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.
Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.
Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.
York County Economic Development is the lead organization responsible for recruiting businesses, retaining and growing existing firms, and promoting and marketing York County. It also assists in strategic initiatives across York County that are focused on product development, workforce development, infrastructure improvements and quality of life.
About Our Opportunity
The Economic Development Department is excited to hire a Deputy Director of Economic Development to join their team! In this position, you will work with the Department Director managing the operations of the office including the recruitment of new businesses, development and implementation of a cutting-edge marketing program, planning and development of economic development products and workforce development initiatives.
The ideal candidate for our Deputy Director of Economic Development is a dynamic and strategic leader with a proven track record in economic development and business attraction. They bring a deep understanding of innovative economic strategies, along with the ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, community partners, and business leaders. This individual is a skilled collaborator who thrives on building partnerships and driving initiatives that stimulate economic growth and opportunity. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating meaningful, positive change and advancing a shared vision for sustainable development. They are both visionary and pragmatic—able to translate bold ideas into actionable outcomes while fostering an inclusive, partnership-driven approach. Their leadership will play a key role in shaping the future of our community’s economic landscape.
Projected Hiring Range/Pay Grade 129: $101,090.95 - $121,309.14 per year. Salary is determined based on experience and/or education.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hours per week), occasional weekend and evening work required for special events.
Our Total Compensation Package
Experience and Education:
Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer
Physical Demands
Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
Standard Clauses
May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.
Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)
Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.
Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.
Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous Service Monthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years $20.00
15-19 Years $25.00
20-24 Years $30.00
25-29 Years $35.00
30-34 Years $40.00
35-39 Years $45.00
40 Years $50.00
Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.
Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.
Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.
Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.
Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January – December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
May: Memorial Day
June: Juneteenth Day
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day
November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Training
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.
York County is located in the Piedmont region, between Broad River and Catawba River. The diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.
Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.
Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.
York County Economic Development is the lead organization responsible for recruiting businesses, retaining and growing existing firms, and promoting and marketing York County. It also assists in strategic initiatives across York County that are focused on product development, workforce development, infrastructure improvements and quality of life.
About Our Opportunity
The Economic Development Department is excited to hire a Deputy Director of Economic Development to join their team! In this position, you will work with the Department Director managing the operations of the office including the recruitment of new businesses, development and implementation of a cutting-edge marketing program, planning and development of economic development products and workforce development initiatives.
The ideal candidate for our Deputy Director of Economic Development is a dynamic and strategic leader with a proven track record in economic development and business attraction. They bring a deep understanding of innovative economic strategies, along with the ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, community partners, and business leaders. This individual is a skilled collaborator who thrives on building partnerships and driving initiatives that stimulate economic growth and opportunity. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating meaningful, positive change and advancing a shared vision for sustainable development. They are both visionary and pragmatic—able to translate bold ideas into actionable outcomes while fostering an inclusive, partnership-driven approach. Their leadership will play a key role in shaping the future of our community’s economic landscape.
Projected Hiring Range/Pay Grade 129: $101,090.95 - $121,309.14 per year. Salary is determined based on experience and/or education.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hours per week), occasional weekend and evening work required for special events.
Our Total Compensation Package
- Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
- Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
- 11 Paid Holidays 3 Optional Holidays
- Longevity Pay
- SC State Retirement Plan Pension
- Paid Vacation and Sick Time
- Sick Bank
- Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
- Wellness Screenings
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
- May supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
- May coordinate, assign and review work and establish work schedules; maintain standards; monitor status of work in progress; inspect completed work assignments; answer questions; give advice and direction as needed.
- Serves as back-up for Director of Economic Development on economic development activities to include providing general oversight and operational guidance to office staff, attending prospect meetings, attending and presenting at York County Growth Partners meetings and County Council meetings, and coordinating with and/or making presentations to other stakeholder groups.
- Formulates and assists in the implementation of policies and procedures that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the office. Evaluates existing processes and programs and makes recommendations to the Director.
- Assists in the development, implementation and management of a comprehensive business recruitment and marketing plan that is continuously reviewed for effectiveness, accuracy and relevancy.
- Leads or assists in marketing trips to targeted markets, coordinates and manages local marketing and promotional events and attends industry and other tradeshows as needed. During these trips and activities, holds meetings with site location consultants, business decisionmakers and other allies and leaders, which requires the ability to operate a vehicle.
- Manages economic development projects from inception to completion, as needed. This can include leading department’s efforts in responding to project inquiries and formal requests for information or proposals.
- Assists in the product development efforts for the Department that may include: ensuring all due diligence needed to have an in-depth understanding of county-owned and other unique product in York County has been performed; master planning, evaluating and making recommendations on existing county-owned properties; pursuing funding and relevant certifications to increase the marketability of county-owned properties; and coordinating with the Director and Research Manager to identify and research new potential industrial and commercial sites.
- Assists with strategic initiatives of the Department and works with the existing Industry team to assist firms who are going through business expansion projects.
Experience and Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Planning, Commercial Real Estate or related discipline.
- Eight (8) years of economic development, business administration, planning, or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Prior supervisory experience preferred.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
- Certified Economic Developer (CED), South Carolina Certified Economic Developer (SCCED) preferred.
Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer
Physical Demands
Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
- Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
Standard Clauses
May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.
Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)
Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.
Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.
Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous Service Monthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years $20.00
15-19 Years $25.00
20-24 Years $30.00
25-29 Years $35.00
30-34 Years $40.00
35-39 Years $45.00
40 Years $50.00
Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.
Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.
Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.
Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.
Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January – December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
May: Memorial Day
June: Juneteenth Day
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day
November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Training
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.
Salary : $101,091 - $121,309
