CITY OF CULLMAN MISSION STATEMENT:The City of Cullman will provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions for the City of Cullman will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Equal opportunities are provided regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. The City of Cullman will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.
Description:The Director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency (CEDA) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and overall management to grow Cullman’s economy, expand employment opportunities, strengthen the City’s tax base, and enhance quality of life. The Director coordinates citywide economic development initiatives, including business retention and expansion, industrial and commercial recruitment, site development, workforce partnerships, and marketing of the City of Cullman as a premier place to live, work, and invest.
This position serves as the City’s primary liaison to businesses, industries, developers, site selectors, chambers of commerce, utilities, educational institutions, state agencies, and regional partners involved in economic and community development.
Reports to:Mayor (with strategic guidance from the City Council)
Compensation:Full-Time / Exempt
Strategic Planning & Program Leadership- Provides leadership in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, goals and priorities as established by the Cullman City Council in conjunction with the Industrial Development Board of the City of Cullman.
- Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and continually adjusts a comprehensive Economic Development Master Plan aligned with and incorporated into the City’s overall strategic plan.
- Prepares short and long-range economic development goals, performance measures, and implementation strategies.
- Advises the Mayor and City Council on economic development policy, incentive frameworks, project evaluation, and opportunities to strengthen Cullman’s competitiveness.
- Coordinates Cullman’s participation in state and regional initiatives, including workforce development, industry recruitment missions, and statewide economic development programs.
- Oversees industrial park planning, infrastructure projects, and redevelopment initiatives.
- Identifies targeted industries and aligns recruitment efforts with Cullman’s long-term goals.
Advocacy & Government Relations:- Coordinates CEDA’s governmental affairs efforts.
- Advocates for policies, programs, and regulations that promote economic development at the state and local levels.
- Serves as the liaison between CEDA/City of Cullman and key stakeholders, including state and local governments, legislators, private sector partners, associations, and federal agencies.
- Builds and maintains relationships with policy makers and governmental officials to shape economic development strategies and initiatives.
Business Recruitment, Retention &Expansion- Leads proactive recruitment of targeted industries, commercial development, and retail growth aligned with Cullman’s strategic goals through outreach, site visits, and participation in trade shows.
- Designs and oversees a business retention and expansion (BRE) program, including ongoing communication, support, and responsiveness to existing employers.
- Meets with business leaders, industries, and entrepreneurs to identify opportunities for expansion, improvement, or investment.
- Responds to RFPs/RFIs from site selectors, developers, and state partners, coordinates con?dentiality, due diligence, and project readiness.
- Prepares and presents proposals, community profiles, incentive packages, and site information to prospects.
Project & Incentive Management- Evaluates, negotiates, and recommends incentive packages compliant with Alabama constitutional provisions, statutory requirements, and local policy.
- Conducts economic and ?scal impact analyses, including job creation, capital investment, tax revenue projections, and long-term bene?ts.
- Coordinates incentive agreements with the Industrial Development Board, Alabama Department of Commerce, TVA, ADECA, and utility partners.
- Manages projects through the entire lifecycle—from prospect interest through ribbon-cutting and post-opening partnership.
Site Development, Infrastructure & Real Estate Readiness - Maintains an inventory of available industrial, commercial, office, and retail sites and buildings.
- Coordinates with Planning & Zoning, Engineering, Building, Utilities, and the Industrial Development Board to ensure sites are infrastructure-ready and marketable.
- Assists developers and businesses in navigating zoning, permitting, design review, and other regulatory processes.
- Maintains project timelines, budgets, and compliance with local and state regulations.
- Supports land use planning, corridor development, and redevelopment efforts to strengthen economic vitality.
Workforce & Talent Development- Partners with Cullman City Schools, Wallace State Community College, Career-Tech programs, Cullman County Schools, workforce providers, and local employers to align training and career pathways with economic needs.
- Supports apprenticeship programs, internships, and talent pipeline initiatives.
- Tracks work force trends to inform recruitment strategies and policy recommendations.
Community, Downtown & Quality-of-Life Development- Collaborates with City departments on quality-of-life initiatives, downtown revitalization, redevelopment projects, corridor enhancements, and tourism-related economic opportunities.
- Supports façade improvements, small business assistance, and community-driven initiatives that strengthen local commerce.
- Promotes mixed-use development, walkability, and public amenities that contribute to economic competitiveness.
Marketing, Branding & Public Relations- Develops and executes a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote Cullman to businesses, industries, and residents.
- Oversees creation of promotional materials, prospect packets, pitch decks, presentations, and digital marketing content.
- Manages economic development content on City and/or CEDA websites and social media, ensuring accurate, current data and compelling messaging.
- Represents the City at state, regional, and national events, conferences, and industry meetings; presents regularly to City leadership and community groups.
Data, Reporting & Accountability- Collects and analyzes data related to jobs, capital investment, tax base changes, market trends, and project performance.
- Provides clear, regular reports to the Mayor, City Council, Industrial Development Board, and key partners (County IDA and Chamber).
Leadership & Administrative Duties- Supervises CEDA staff, consultants, and contracted partners.
- Oversees the day-to-day operations of the office, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in all areas.
- Monitors and reports on organizational performance, ensuring transparency and accountability to the City Council and IDB.
- Establishes internal processes, policies, and performance expectations for agency operations.
- Fosters a collaborative, goal-oriented culture within CEDA and across City departments.
- Builds and maintains relationships with policymakers and government officials to shape economic development strategies and initiatives.
- Develops, manages, and monitors the annual CEDA and Industrial Development Board budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds.
- Identifies and pursues large or high-impact grant opportunities that align with the City’s major economic development goals and initiatives.
- Works with Alabama Department of Commerce, TVA and other regional partners to leverage funding sources.
- Represents Cullman at events, including, but not limited to, meetings, public meetings, events, forums, receptions, dinners, conferences, etc.
- Ensures compliance with local, state and federal regulations for economic development activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Mayor or City Council.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related ?eld.
- A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, community development, public administration, or related ?elds.
- Proven experience in building relationships and working with governmental agencies, private sector leaders, and community stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of local, state, and federal politics, protocol and procedures.
- Experience working with a Board of Directors
- Valid Driver’s License; ability to travel for conferences, site visits and recruitment activities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional certi?cation such as CEcD (Certi?ed Economic Developer) or similar professional development training programs.
- Direct experience in local economic development, municipal, regional, state or similar economic development.
- Deep understanding of economic development, industrial recruitment, community development, and public-private partnerships.
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of Alabama municipal law, incentives (e.g., abatements, Chapter 9 incentives), and compliance frameworks.
- Familiarity with zoning, land use planning, site development, utilities, and infrastructure requirements.
- Ability to analyze markets, interpret data, and forecast project impacts.
- Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences.
- Pro?ciency with economic development tools (GIS, demographic databases, CRM systems, property databases).
- Ability to think strategically and work collaboratively to achieve goals.
- Skilled in managing multiple complex projects and programs simultaneously.
- Ability to navigate the landscape of Alabama’s economic development environment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of economic development practices, workforce development, industrial and commercial real estate, and project financing.
- Understanding of Alabama’s economic development incentives, state programs and regulatory frameworks.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Visionary thinker with the ability to inspire others and drive meaningful change.
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently or with a team.
- Collaborative and inclusive leader with a commitment to fostering a positive, productive work culture.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the Cullman Community.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Primarily office-based with travel within the region for business contacts, site visits, and meetings.
- Extensive travel- majority will be within the State of Alabama but will also include out-of-state and international.
- Work may include evening or weekend events, Council meetings, or project milestones.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, and move about construction or industrial sites.
- Ability to lift and transport materials up to 25 pounds.
