The City of Norcross is looking for a Full-time Economic Development Director. The purpose of this position is to manage the economic development activities, programs, and services of the City under the general supervision of the City Manager.

The incumbent will support the vision, mission, and guiding principles of the City by helping to spur investments that create jobs, increase the tax base, and promote the growth of the local economy, while enhancing the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Represent and promote the City of Norcross to prospective businesses, investors, and real estate developers.
Supports both commercial and residential real estate development throughout the City.
Management and coordination of business retention and expansion program to actively and regularly engage existing business establishments throughout the City.
Lead the City’s business recruitment efforts.
Conducts and oversees all economic development project management, including site selection research and assistance as well as site visits from business prospects to existing real estate inventory.
Works cooperatively with the Downtown Manager as well as property owners and landlords in order to help bring businesses to the downtown area as well as retain existing businesses.
Acts as a staff liaison to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the citywide Norcross Development Authority (NDA) by helping to coordinate and attend monthly meetings as well as provide professional guidance and recommendations.
Assists with City as well as Authority property acquisitions and sales.
Ensure that communication between Council and the Authorities is continually maintained, and work to ensure that Council and the Authorities are fully aware of any potential conflicts.
Work closely with planning and zoning staff on projects relating to real estate development as well as new business establishments.
Works closely with the Community Development & Planning Department to update existing plans and documents to ensure the inclusion of an economic development perspective.
Research, review, analyze and interpret data related to economic development.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date business and social demographic data.
Plan and execute various events focused on supporting the overall goals of the department, including informational events for businesses as well as grand openings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Maintain an awareness of new development programs as well as state, local, private, and public funding sources and grant opportunities; preparation and submittal of economic development-related grants.
Drafts and reviews ordinances relating to economic development.
Assists with annexation and associated procedures.
Contributes to the development of economic development marketing collateral consistent with the adopted branding scheme and marketing plan of the City.
Ensures that all applicable economic development website pages are updated regularly and serves as valid tools for the development and business community in cooperation with the Communications Department.
Attend various meetings and events of local Chambers of Commerce and other civic/business organizations, including Partnership Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the local Community Improvement District (CID), Gwinnett County Government, and any other organization or group involved in economic development activities.
Interface with and maintain meaningful and effective professional relationships with the various local, county, and state economic development partner organizations.
Attendance at industry conferences as well as professional development events.
Prepares, implements, and monitors the economic development budget.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (Masters Preferred) in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or similar field.
Minimum of five years of experience in a related field.
The successful candidate must have strong communication skills – both verbally and written.
Proven ability to organize and manage teams.
Valid State of Georgia driver’s license (Non-commercial Class A or B); with a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR).
Individuals must be able to travel to fulfill the duties of the position.
Must be able to work evenings and weekends when necessary.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs other tasks and all other duties as assigned.

Scope and Impact:

Job has recurring work situations involving high degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and routines is high. Errors in judgment will waste resources and adversely impact performance. Incumbent operates independently, but work is verified. Content of work priorities is determined by supervision.

The purpose of this position is to stimulate economic growth and stability in Norcross by working with both public and private entities to help bring new projects into the city, increase the viability of the downtown area, and help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Communications/Customer Contact:

Contact is typical with co-workers, department heads, elected officials, news media representatives, members of civic and business groups, city project managers, and the general public. The nature of the interaction is generally to provide and exchange information, resolve problems, motivate personnel, settle matters, and provide services. Must have the ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with commercial real estate professionals. Must also have the ability to develop and maintain a working network of contacts with project managers from the various local, regional, and statewide economic development organizations such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, Electric Cities of Georgia, and Georgia EMC.

Competencies:

This position is part of a dynamic workgroup with a high degree of public interaction. It requires the ability to multi-task, respond to changing priorities and work with limited supervision.
Knowledge of local government rules, city code, and legal aspects of local government administration.
Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of municipal planning, management, marketing, administration, and public information
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, federal, and state agencies and other organized groups concerned with economic development/downtown development programs.
Ability to relate to and effectively meet with the public at all levels and to discuss problems, complaints and opportunities tactfully, courteously, and effectively
Must know real estate terms and be able to negotiate and calculate rental rates and other charges related to real estate.
Knowledge of financial administration and budgetary requirements.
Ability to develop comprehensive plans from general instructions.
Ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
Ability to learn quickly and react positively in a rapidly changing environment.
Knowledge of City utility operations and administration. Knowledge of administration, budgeting, and basic accounting.
Comprehensive knowledge of modern office practices and procedures and standard office equipment and software.
Skilled in gathering and analyzing statistical data.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear clearly.
Occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

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