Economic Development Director

City of Fairfax • Interim • VA 22030, VA • $115.07k - $247.70k / year • 1w ago

The Economic Development Director is appointed by the City Manager and oversees all development programs and initiatives for the Economic Development Department and the Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Director of Economic Development concurrently serves as the CEO of the EDA.

The Director of Economic Development is a public facing and strategic leader of Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), This role oversees all aspects of the City’s integrated economic development portfolio and serves as CEO of the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Director reports to the City Manager and is a member of the City’s Senior Leadership Team. The Director leads a dynamic, high-performing agency that is recognized as a national model for economic development in small cities.

This is a complex, fast-paced, and client-driven role ideal for a strategic thinker and energetic leader who thrives in an independent, collaborative environment. The next Director will inherit a sophisticated economic development organization with a broad mandate to strengthen the city’s economy, support its business community, and position Fairfax City as a regional and international destination for investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The Director also serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance as a representative of Fairfax City and the regional economic development effort.

FCED currently consists of 6.5 full-time staff and additional consultants, vendors and contractors. The Director is responsible for recruiting and managing all team members, as well as overseeing the budgets of both the EDD and the EDA. Several Associates and Specialists are funded by the adopted EDA budget annually and contribute to the advancement of the portfolio as part time or temporary FCED employees.

More information on Fairfax City Economic Development can be found at www.gofairfaxcity.com

Ideal Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate is a visionary, entrepreneurial leader with a passion for public service and a proven track record in economic development, business attraction, and building strategic partnerships. They thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments and are adept at navigating relationships with business leaders, civic institutions, government officials, and creative professionals.

They are confident operating independently while upholding transparency, public accountability, and a client-focused approach. The ideal candidate brings experience leading high-performing teams, managing complex public budgets, and overseeing systems modernization and operational reform. Familiarity with university partnerships, commercial development, public-sector marketing, organizational leadership and intergovernmental collaboration is essential. A strong candidate will be energized by working with a dynamic staff and leading an agile, mission-driven organization.

Agency Overview:
Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) is composed of both the City’s Economic Development Department (EDD) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA), delivers a comprehensive, citywide economic strategy grounded in innovation, inclusivity, and place-based growth. The department’s work spans five core portfolios:

Business Investment:

Business attraction, expansion and retention.

Development and administration of incentive programs.

Strategic partnerships with property owners, developers, and anchor institutions/ public private partnerships.

Programs & Retail Strategy:

Small business and entrepreneurial support programming.

Private/public partnerships.

Place-based retail initiatives (attraction and strategic development).

Tourism & Placemaking:

Citywide destination marketing and visitor engagement.

Management and promotion of cultural and community events and initiatives.

Placemaking initiatives that drive foot traffic and economic activity.

Public Relations & Marketing:

Strategic communications and media relations unique to economic development.

Branding and promotional campaigns.

Oversees storytelling and collateral creation to strengthen outreach that elevates the city’s economic brand.

Finance & Operations:

Oversight of administrative, fiscal, and procurement functions.

Management of strategic initiatives, partnerships and interdepartmental coordination.

Governance support of the EDA and compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Executive Leadership & Governance:

Serve as the chief executive of both the EDD and EDA, providing strategic direction and daily leadership across all portfolios.

Oversees the EDA as CEO, with full responsibility its legal, financial, and operational and governance functions.

Leads FCED’s award-winning team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, creativity, and accountability.

Serves on the City Manager’s Senior Leadership Team and collaborate regularly with the Mayor, City Council and executive-level partners.

Delivers regular briefings, reports, and presentations to elected officials, civic and regional partners, and the public.

Strategic Programs & Portfolio Oversight:

Leads the implementation of FCED’s five-year strategic work plan (developed by StreetSense in 2023), setting measurable goals and reporting progress to internal and external stakeholders.

Oversees all business investment strategies, including performance-based incentives, tax abatements, redevelopment tools, and vacancy grants aligned with small area plans.

Directs and approve marketing and communications strategies to position Fairfax City as a prime destination for business, investment, and tourism.

Guides retail and place-based initiatives to boost foot traffic, increase retail sales, and strengthen long-term business sustainability.

Develops and support tourism strategies that promote the city’s cultural, historical and economic assets to regional and national audiences.

Partnerships & External Relations:

Serves as the City’s lead liaison to key partners, including George Mason University, Costello College of Business, and its four centers, the Mason Enterprise Center, the NoVA EDA, Old Town Fairfax Business Association, Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, IEDC, IDA, and other local, regional, and international stakeholders.

Represents Fairfax City at conferences, trade missions, and business development events locally and internationally.

Cultivates and maintain high-impact relationships with civic, academic, and private-sector leaders to advance the city’s economic goals.

Property & Asset Management:

Provides executive oversite of the EDA’s role as landlord and development partner, managed EDA-owned properties and commercial tenant relationships.

Leads the administration of property acquisitions, lease negotiations, and strategic real estate partnerships aligned with the city’s long-term economic development objectives.

Collaborates with Finance & Operations to ensure acquisitions and property transactions adhere to approved budgets and compliance standards.

Finance & Administrative Operations:

Provides executive oversight of FCED’s financial, administrative, and governance functions to ensure transparency, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.

Supervises the Finance & Operations team and approve staffing, consultant engagements, and technology investments to support the department’s strategic goals.

Oversees the preparation and delivery of contracts, budgets, board materials, audits, and agreements on behalf of the EDA.

Maintains strong relationships with auditors, financial institutions, and state oversight bodies to safeguard the EDA’s fiscal integrity and uphold the city’s creditworthiness.

Oversees the preparation of board materials, contracts, budgets, audits, and agreements on behalf of the EDA.

Additionally, the Director:

Serves on the City Manager’s Senior Leadership Team within the City and is responsible for liaising with elected and appointed officials.

Serves as the primary point of contact with all relevant external partners (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, NoVA EDA, OTFBA, Smart Growth, GMU-MEC, GMU-CIE, IDA, VEDP, etc.).

Oversees and is the public facing figure for the marketing and strategic communications portfolio to guarantee visibility for Fairfax City regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Marketing, Economic Development, Planning, Business Administration, Law, or closely related field strongly preferred.

Requires eight years’ experience in economic development, community development, government relations, business development, law, or city/municipal management. Should have experience leading a dynamic, fast paced staff and overseeing a sophisticated budgeting process.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of economic development, government administration, staff management, public policy.

Thorough knowledge of ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to economic development, finance, municipal revenues, planning and zoning.

Knowledge of real estate, economics and public finance as applied to economic development.

Ability to manage the acquisition and disposition of property.

Ability to oversee staff in multiple portfolio functions.

Ability to develop and analyze data and arrive at sound strategies and direct their implementation.

Ability to train, direct and evaluate the activities of other staff engaged in economic development work.

Additional Desirable Qualification:

Ten years of experience in economic development and/or community development.

Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, or Law.

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

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