ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGERAnticipated Salary: $130,436 - $140,483 annually, DOQ
The City of Wildomar is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to serve as Economic Development Manager. This position plays a key role in supporting business attraction, retention, and community development initiatives in a growing city. The City offers a competitive salary, CalPERS retirement, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Applications accepted through Sunday, February 22, 2026. Don't wait, apply now!
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DEFINITION
Under general direction, manages, organizes, drives the functions of the City’s Economic Development Department including, but not limited to, business attraction and workforce development, retention and expansion, and fundraising while enhancing economic base; formulates policies and develops goals and objectives; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and business organizations; provides complex and responsible support to the City Manager in areas of expertise and advises on economic development activities; serves as a liaison for major Economic Development projects; prepare studies and reports; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSThis is a Department Manager classification that oversees, and participates in all activities of the Economic Development Department including planning, development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy and municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the diverse, specialized, and complex work of the department. The incumbent also has significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include departmental planning, budget administration, program evaluation and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities and standards for the City's Economic Development programs and operations. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the City Manager. The work provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general and/or direct supervision over professional, para-professional, technical, administrative, and skilled and semi- skilled assigned staff, when applicable.
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Assumes full management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Economic Development Department including, but not limited to business retention, expansion, and attraction programs and incentives including fee deferral, and facade improvement grants.
- Oversees the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; participates in policy formulation effecting business; recommends, develops, implements, and administers policies and procedures.
- Serves as the liaison for the Economic Development Department to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; acts as the chief liaison between business organizations, individual businesses, and the City; provides information and resources including interpretations of codes and ordinances; coordinates parallel efforts; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
- Develops and implements a full range of marketing and public relations activities and programs to communicate and promote the City to prospective businesses through trade shows, publications, and exhibit; oversees and performs research of regarding properties, economic interest, environmental and land planning data; coordinates City-wide branding/marketing efforts; evaluates and reviews internal and external publications; serves as the official contact for press.
- Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Economic Development Department’s operating and special program budgets; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
- Informs and updates Assistant City Manager and City Manager, and elected and appointed officials on economic development matters, prospective projects, sensitive business community issues, and related matters.
- Oversees and conducts public and City staff seminars and workshops on a variety of economic development and related subjects and programs.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; serves as the City’s lead representative to regional, state, and national economic development organizations for the purposes of collaboration; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of economic development; evaluates the latest best practices as options for the City.
- Tracks state, federal, and local legislation which may have in impact on the City and its residents and/or the business community.
- Negotiates and administers incentive and consulting agreements.
- Establishes and manages an interdepartmental team for the development and implementation of multifaceted economic development programs.
- Identifies economic development related funding through grants from federal, state, local and private sources.
- Manages the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs to carry out City Council priorities; monitors and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
- Selects, trains, and motivates, assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; evaluates and reviews employee performance with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
- Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official department files, including, but not limited to all records and files for City economic development programs and activities.
- Collects, compiles, and analyzes economic, demographic, and marketing data; maintains economic development databases, including information on target uses; develops and creates a variety of reports based on data collected.
- Develops and maintains relationship with local and regional key decision-makers to evaluate business and market conditions.
- Makes recommendations regarding economic climate and possible interventions to sustain local economy.
- Conducts and coordinates a variety of economic analysis, research, marketing plans, strategies, projects, and partner programs designed to support efforts to promote and enhance regional economic vitality.
- Develops and implements various systems and procedures to meet departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
- Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
- Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; provides staff support and presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards as necessary.
- Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints, and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
- Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Operational characteristics, services, and activities of an Economic Development program.
- Principles and practices of program development and administration.
- Organizational and project management principles and practices.
- Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
- Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- General planning practices and planning law.
- City of Wildomar development permit process and business license process.
- Business, market, and economic indicators and trends.
- Economic development concepts and strategies.
- Economic incentive and financing methods.
- Marketing concepts and principles.
- City organization and functions of the various departments in the City.
- Methods and techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations
- Principles and practices of customer service and public relations.
- Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report preparation.
- Methods and techniques for effective record-keeping and maintenance.
- Types and locations of business related resources and commercial real estate.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
- Recent and on-going developments ,current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned areas.
- City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Ability to:
- Manage and direct a comprehensive economic development program.
- Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the department and the City.
- Oversee the development and administration of department goals, objectives, and procedures.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate, the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
- Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
- Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
- Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
- Prepare and administer large program budgets.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Exercise sound judgment and common sense.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
- Facilitate, develop, and work with groups to reach City Council goals and public interests.
- Develop and maintain effective interdepartmental coordination.
- Represent the City in a professional manner when dealing with the City Council, boards, community groups, and the general public.
- Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, board, committee, and commission members, and the general public.
- Conduct effective media and public relations.
- Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both or ally and in writing.
- Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping ,and tracking systems.
- Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
- Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional level experience with planning and implementing complex economic development projects, including coordinating real estate development/acquisition, relocation, project financing, budget preparation, project management and project design economic development, with a minimum of two (2) years of management, administrative and/or supervisory or project management responsibility.
- Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree in related field is highly desirable.
- Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a State of California driver’s license and/or the ability to make reasonable and timely transportation accommodation(s) as needed.
- Special Requirements: Employees in this class may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
WORKING CONDITIONSThe work environment characteristics and physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Environmental Conditions: Employees in this class generally work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employee may interact with staff and/or the public and private representatives in various settings including the field or remote offices for meetings. The incumbent will be exposed to outdoor environmental elements on a limited basis with exposure to varying temperatures, moderate exterior noise levels including traffic, and may have limited exposure to dust and fumes.
Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting including use of standard office equipment, including a computer; and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City sites. Color vision is required to read printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech is required to communicate in person and over the telephone. Touch is required in order to handle documents, and use a computer. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time. Positions in this classification regularly bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds.
Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math, and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people, and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions, and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.
