Economic Development Strategist



Job Details

Economic Development Strategist

This listing closes on 7/25/2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Employer

City of North Port

Salary

$76,552.00 - $122,483.00 Annually

Location

North Port, FL

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

201401865

Department

Development Services

Division

Economic Development

Opening Date

07/11/2025

Closing Date

7/25/2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

General Description

The Economic Development Strategist provides advanced professional support to the Economic Development Program Manager in executing the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan and the Economic Development Element of the North Port Comprehensive Plan. This position is primarily responsible for identifying and recruiting development, relocation, and start-up opportunities, while fostering a business-friendly environment. The Strategist will play a crucial role in business attraction and investor relationship development. The incumbent will work closely with industry leaders, and existing stakeholders to promote economic growth and development across various sectors, including commercial, office, mixed-use, and industrial developments.

Essential Job Functions

 

  • Business Attraction & Development:
    • Identify and recruit potential new business development projects, relocations, and start-up opportunities to the City.
    • Develop and nurture relationships with business prospects, developers, consultants, and company decision-makers to facilitate business development projects, relocations, and start-up opportunities.; maintain regular contact to provide support and information unless the prospects communicate they are no longer pursuing North Port.
    • Manage and coordinate site selection processes for businesses looking to relocate to the area.
    • Provide prospective businesses with regulatory assistance to help them navigate city processes, workforce information and workforce partner contacts to facilitate workforce solutions
    • Attend economic development tradeshows and industry conventions to promote the City’s potential for business development. [AR1]
  • Strategic Partnerships & Collaboration:
    • Foster strong relationships with regional technical, trade, and education providers to support workforce development[LB2][MM3][LB4][MM5] related to attraction of targeted industries, and to encourage business and economic growth.
    • Collaborate with local and regional stakeholders, including economic development agencies, chambers of commerce,[LB6][MM7] development corporations, and real estate professionals to align development opportunities and resources.
  • Project Coordination & Management:
    • Coordinate and oversee projects that support the City’s economic development goals, including infrastructure development, site development, and facility improvements.[AR8]
    • Manage and provide guidance to project negotiations, and facilitate communication between businesses, developers, and City staff to help ensure projects meet regulatory and community needs.
    • Conduct field inspections and site visits as required for business prospects and development projects.
  • Economic Research & Data Analysis:
    • Utilize economic research trends, demographic data, and market conditions to support business attraction and inform strategic decision-making.
    • Utilize available data and tools to create business profiles, assess development opportunities, and support recruitment efforts.
  • Resource Coordination:

    • Facilitate connections between prospective businesses and local resources, including workforce training, funding opportunities, and technical assistance.
  • Project Reporting & Documentation:
    • Assist in updating policy documents and strategic plan provisions related to economic development as necessary to ensure a business-friendly environment.
    •  Prepare and present reports, white papers, and presentations on economic development initiatives, project status, and program outcomes.
    • Assist in budget preparation and monitor expenditures related to economic development projects and programs.
  Other Responsibilities:
  • Respond to requests for information from business prospects, City and County staff, residents, and other stakeholders.
  • In the absence of the Economic Development Manager, act as staff liaison to the Community Economic Development Advisory Board.
  • In the absence of the Marketing Strategist, assist with development and posting of economic development outreach advertising and social media.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of an emergency.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.   Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • In-depth knowledge of economic development principles, strategies, and practices in a government environment.
  • Familiarity with real estate development processes, including commercial and industrial market trends and best practices.
  • Knowledge of funding sources, loan structuring, tax abatement, and other economic incentives.
  • Skilled in project management, including the coordination of complex development projects and stakeholder negotiations.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess demographic and economic data and make informed recommendations.
  • Ability to manage customer relations and effectively communicate with various stakeholders, including businesses, developers, and public officials.
  • Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and CRM management systems.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic development or a related field.
  • Completed IEDC coursework is preferred.
  • Advance degree is a plus.
  • (A comparable amount of training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)
  • Licenses and Certifications:
    • CEcD preferred. 
    • Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license by date of hire.

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.

Aetna – Health Insurance

The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan.  Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.

Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance

The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options.  You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart).  There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19).  Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.

EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance

The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network.  Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use.  You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.

Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance

The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge.  You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents. 

Cigna – Short Term Disability

The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee.  This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work.  The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000.  Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability.  The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period. 

E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account

A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll.  The maximum annual election is $2,500.00.  Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement.  This is a voluntary benefit.

Trustmark– Supplemental Polices

Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.

LifeLock Benefit Solutions

Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock.  This is an employee paid voluntary program.

ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans

The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan.  The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year.  One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement.  This is a voluntary program.

Florida Retirement System – FRS

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period.   Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS. 

Cigna – Employee Assistance Program

The City offers this program to all employees.  This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families.  The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan.  Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more. 

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance

The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit.  This benefit is not payroll deducted.

Florida Prepaid College Board

Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program

Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).

Paid Holidays

The City observes 13 paid holidays per year. 

Sick Leave and Annual Leave

Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment.  Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll.  Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.  

Sick Leave Incentive

Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank.  Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.

Personal Leave

Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days  per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours.  This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member.  Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".

Employer
City of North Port
Address
4970 City Hall Blvd

North Port, Florida, 34286
Phone
(941) 429-7134

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