City of Pontiac

Compensation

Full Description

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt Pay Grade: M-14 SUPERVISION Supervision Received: Reports to Community Development Director Supervision Given: Supervises the Assistant Manager, Economic Vitality DESCRIPTION Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the Economic Vitality Manager will manage, coordinate, and oversee the functions, operations, staff, and activities of the Economic Vitality Division. The Economic Vitality Manager shall perform complex professional work in all phases of economic development. This will include, but is not limited to, business attraction and retention, site selection, local business support & workforce development. The incumbent in this position must have a working knowledge of available incentives. Knowledge of the Pontiac market and of transportation challenges is crucial. This is a hands-on management position that will work side by side with Building Safety, Planning and Zoning, and Housing Vitality. Manager will be required to present information to the City Council as well as to various other committees, commissions, and boards. A successful candidate will have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the public during challenging situations, have excellent communication skills, be well organized, and bring fresh ideas to the team. The City has a wide variety of commercial and industrial development with great opportunity for adaptive reuse and infill projects. Work is governed by broad instructions, objectives, and policies. Work requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent analytical and evaluative judgment. Employee must maintain regular attendance. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Develops and maintains tax incentive policies for businesses and prospects as well as other various departmental policies, program guidelines, and procedures as appropriate. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of programs and reviews City Ordinances and proposes amendments or new Ordinances when necessary. • Makes presentations to City Council, commissions, civic groups, and the general public on economic development issues. Holds public hearings as required. • Assumes management responsibilities for all services and activities of economic development including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities; establishes and maintains public/private partnership opportunities, for positive long-term economic change. • Assists with the negotiation, preparation and processing of documents and implementation of such documents such as depositions and development agreements, owner participation agreements, contracts, resolutions, and requests for proposals/qualifications. • Retains documents as required by law and the City's record retention and disposal policy for the former components of the Pontiac Growth Group, including the General Building Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation, and Pontiac Business Development Center. • Serves as the City's contact in the One Stop Ready program. • Administers the Responsible Contractor Ordinance, adopting implementation procedures and forms, and publishing the required questionnaires and pre-qualification materials on the City’s website. • Establishes and maintains a database of existing city businesses and vacant commercial property. Develops a business visitation program and conducts personal visits to city businesses to assess business climate issues and concerns, identifying the interests and priorities of the businesses located within the city. • Collects, analyzes and compiles economic, market and demographic data for dissemination. • Administers grants for economic funds from county, regional, state, and federal agencies. • Implements any programs funded by federal grants from the United States Department of Community Development or similar agency. • Confer with federal, state, and local government officials to effect change in local policies or ordinances to encourage effective development. • Directs activities such as research, analysis, and evaluation of technical information to determine feasibility and economic impact of proposed expansions and developments. • Coordinates real-estate development activities including oversight of development plan for Brownfield projects. • Prepares administrative reports, technical studies, resolutions, correspondence, and records. • Prepare and administer budget. Prepare and authorize expenditures for the division budget, direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. • Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience • Master's Degree in architecture, business administration, economic development, management in business, political science, or public administration, and at least 3 (three) years’ experience in administration of zoning ordinances, construction code enforcement, nuisance enforcement, grant administration or economic development activities. • In lieu of a Master's degree, the Director of Economic Development shall have a Bachelor's degree in architecture, business administration, economic development, political science, or public administration and at least 5 (five) years’ experience in administration of zoning ordinances construction code enforcement, nuisance enforcement, grant administration, or economic development activities. • Valid Michigan Driver's License or the ability to obtain at time of hire. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities • Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of an economic development programs. • Knowledge of management methods and techniques to analyze programs, policies and operational needs. • Considerable knowledge of management principles and practices, and programs regarding real estate acquisitions, depositions, rehabilitation, block grant relocation, housing programs, and commercial and industrial development. • Familiarity with the organizational structure and operations of the city. • Knowledge of training and supervisory techniques. • Knowledge of employee policies and procedures. • Knowledge of marketing analysis and development; business law development; public administration and local government operations. • Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws codes and regulations. • Ability to oversee and manage the operations, services, and activities of an economic development program. • Ability to understand, speak and write in the English language. • Ability to read and interpret documents and write routine reports and correspondence. • Ability to speak effectively before a group of persons. • Ability to initiate and defend actions before Mayor and City Council. • Ability to perform multiple tasks accurately and efficiently under time constraints. • Ability to design technically complex visual aids such as maps, tables, and charts. • Ability to work both independently and cooperatively. • Ability to exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality when necessary. • Ability to apply the overall mission of a division to make executive support decisions. • Ability to review several diverse reference sources and select and synthesize data for reports and other forms of correspondence. • Ability to apply instructions and guidelines in the disposition of problems. • Ability to follow complex instructions. • Ability to use diplomacy, discretion, and judgment in giving out information and referring callers. • Ability to direct, review, and evaluate the work of other employees, as required. • Ability to make decisions and take necessary actions. • Ability to maintain composure during stressful situations. • Ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks requiring a high degree of attention to detail. • Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. • Possess computer skills that encompass effective use of word processing, presentation spreadsheet, email, and internet browser software.