Position hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, generally. Requires schedule flexibility to accommodate occasional responsibilities outside of regular business hours.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Plans, coordinates, and directs the City’s economic development activities and strategic initiatives to promote business attraction, retention, and expansion, redevelopment, and private investment, and implements economic development initiatives consistent with the City Council’s goals and priorities and adopted plans.
Develops and implements strategies to attract new businesses and private investment, retains and supports existing businesses, and promotes a business-friendly environment within the City. Cultivates relationships with businesses, developers, investors, property owners, brokers, site selectors, and other stakeholders to identify and advance economic development opportunities.
Evaluates potential economic development incentives and resources available to support business recruitment, expansion, and redevelopment projects; provides recommendations to City Administration and City Council on their appropriate use and potential fiscal impact.
Meets with prospective businesses, developers, and investors to identify potential sites and development opportunities; facilitates meetings with local and state economic development partners and appropriate City departments regarding utilities, zoning, permitting, building requirements, and other matters affecting proposed projects.
Connects businesses with local, state, and federal resources and assists business owners in determining feasibility of locating in the City of West Columbia. Builds and maintains relationships with small business, entrepreneurial, and other economic development support organizations to expand resources available to the local business community.
Identifies and evaluates properties for potential economic development and redevelopment opportunities. Maintains an inventory of available commercial and industrial properties and markets appropriate sites and redevelopment opportunities to prospective businesses, developers, investors, brokers, and site selectors.

(Please see job description for full list of duties)

Qualifications: Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, planning, or related field plus a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, commercial real estate, or public administration, with at least 2 to 3 years in a supervisory or project-lead capacity, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation, or active pursuit of this credential, is preferred. Active membership and participation in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the SC Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) are strongly encouraged. Must possess a valid SC driver’s license.

Pay info: Salary range $86,220.23 – $120,710.68. Excellent benefits package including 14 holidays, participation in the State Retirement System, the SC Deferred Compensation Plan, and the State Health Plan with the employee’s health and basic dental insurance premiums paid by the city.

Status: Exempt

How to apply: Employment applications are available online at www.westcolumbiasc.gov and at the Customer Service Counter at West Columbia City Hall, 200 N. 12^th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. Completed, signed applications (resume optional) may be mailed to Brittany Raven, Human Resources Coordinator, P. O. Box 4044, West Columbia, SC 29171-4044, faxed to (803) 939-8634, or e-mailed to employment@westcolumbiasc.gov.

Deadline: The position will remain open until filled.

The city of West Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The city does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, provides strategic leadership and direction for the city of West Columbia’s economic development program. Develops and implements marketing strategies for the recruitment of new business and industry; provides a wide range of information and assistance to local, regional, national, and international firms considering relocation or facilities expansion; evaluates properties for potential development; and performs related administrative and professional work as required. Reports to the Assistant City Administrator of Public Affairs.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Plans, coordinates, and directs the City’s economic development activities and strategic initiatives to promote business attraction, retention, and expansion, redevelopment, and private investment, and implements economic development initiatives consistent with the City Council’s goals and priorities and adopted plans.

Develops and implements strategies to attract new businesses and private investment, retains and supports existing businesses, and promotes a business-friendly environment within the City. Cultivates relationships with businesses, developers, investors, property owners, brokers, site selectors, and other stakeholders to identify and advance economic development opportunities.

Evaluates potential economic development incentives and resources available to support business recruitment, expansion, and redevelopment projects; provides recommendations to City Administration and City Council on their appropriate use and potential fiscal impact.

Meets with prospective businesses, developers, and investors to identify potential sites and development opportunities; facilitates meetings with local and state economic development partners and appropriate City departments regarding utilities, zoning, permitting, building requirements, and other matters affecting proposed projects.

Connects businesses with local, state, and federal resources and assists business owners in determining feasibility of locating in the City of West Columbia. Builds and maintains relationships with small business, entrepreneurial, and other economic development support organizations to expand resources available to the local business community.

Identifies and evaluates properties for potential economic development and redevelopment opportunities. Maintains an inventory of available commercial and industrial properties and markets appropriate sites and redevelopment opportunities to prospective businesses, developers, investors, brokers, and site selectors.

Coordinates the annexation of properties into the City limits, including communicating with property owners, evaluating proposed annexations, and preparing cost-benefit analyses. Maintains knowledge of applicable annexation methods and legal requirements and coordinates the annexation process with City departments and appropriate local, state, and federal agencies.

Collaborates with the City’s marketing team to develop and implement marketing strategies and materials that promote the City, available properties, economic development opportunities, and the recruitment and retention of businesses. Represents the City at meetings, conferences, speaking engagements, media interviews, and other forums related to economic development and maintains effective relationships with business leaders, developers, governmental agencies, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders.

Compiles and analyzes economic, demographic, market, real estate, and other relevant data to support economic development planning, business recruitment and retention, and redevelopment initiatives.

Coordinates and oversees the work of economic development consultants and other professional service providers; establishes project priorities, coordinates activities and deliverables, and ensures consultant efforts align with City Council’s goals and priorities adopted plans.

Serves as the City’s Board Advisor for the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce and as a liaison/board member for other community groups, as directed by City Administration.

Attends City Council meetings and other meetings as required; presents economic development matters, reports, recommendations, and project updates to City Council as appropriate.

Develops Department goals and objectives and implements programs, projects, and initiatives to ensure successful achievement.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields of redevelopment and economic development; incorporates new developments as appropriate.

Develops and maintains relationships with state and regional agencies, chambers of commerce, and other economic development partners. Monitors proposed legislation and regulatory changes affecting municipal economic development and advises City Administration regarding potential impacts.

Provides direct assistance to administration on economic development matters, strategic initiatives, and special projects.

Develops and manages the department’s budget.

Maintains the absolute confidentiality of all records and information as permitted by law.

Conducts and attends various meetings as required.

(Please see job description for full list of duties) https://westcolumbiasc.gov/employment

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Director of Economic Development