Chief Development Officer

Under the general administrative direction of the City Manager, the Chief Development officer is responsible for directing and managing the economic development and tourism programs and activities for the City of College Station, to include but limited to, planning, directing and overseeing activities and operations that are broad in scope and involve highly sensitive and publicly visible operations, projects, and processes; providing advice and strategic leadership to the City Manager, Council, and other department directors in the development of short-and long-range strategic plans; collaborating with a broad range of officials both internal and external to the organization, business leaders, development professionals, and the general public to achieve the City's economic development and tourism goals and objectives; and serving as a member of the City's Management Team, working collaboratively with City Management and other department leaders on strategies and policies to accomplish the City's mission, strategic plan and other Council priorities.

1. Direct and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures for assigned department.
2. Manage department staff (directly, and indirectly through subordinates), which includes prioritizing and assigning work; monitoring workloads, conducting performance evaluations; ensuring adherence to standards and procedures; identifying, recommending training plans; and making hiring, terminating and disciplinary decisions or recommendations.
3. Coordinate economic development recruitment and retention projects, revitalization and redevelopment efforts in special districts and capital projects.
4. Develop strategies, programs, and policies to promote responsible tourism, effectively manage tourism impacts, and stimulate economic development through tourism.
5. Coordinate economic development initiatives including contract development, preparation and management and negotiation concerning incentives, development agreements, real estate and capital projects.
6. Implement and monitor contract compliance and deliverables of economic development contracts and requirements.
7. Coordinate with the Bryan/College Station Research Valley Partnership on recruitment and retention of businesses, including negotiations, resolution of infrastructure, creation and execution of contracts, and presentations to the City Council and appropriate boards.
8. Develop long-range economic development plans and programs to meet needs of the community. Direct and participate in development of new and existing business/industrial parks through both public initiatives and public/private partnerships.
9. Support various development-related community stakeholders and assist in developing strong and close working relationships with the same.
10. Act as a departmentally neutral, project facilitator to be accessed by and for College Station-development stakeholders.
11. Negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial economic development issues. Serve as point of contact for the business/industrial community.
12. Coordinate special development-related events to include targeted community tours.
13. Research and prepare reports on current departmental projects, activities and operations.
14. Conduct and direct sophisticated and highly technical research and analysis on various aspects of the community.
15. Provide information and/or make presentations and conduct meetings to appropriate audiences on economic development and tourism issues, programs, services, and plans.
16. Serve as project manager for sophisticated or advanced projects and assignments.
17. Responsible for the preparation and administration of the department's annual budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, material and supplies; prepare and present periodic reports, project schedules and status; conduct research and preparation of technical reports as required for economic development and tourism activities and projects; and approve and monitor expenditures
18. Establish sound working relationships and work collaboratively with City Management and other members of the executive Management Team, to include but not limited to, serving as a member and participating in collaborative efforts towards achieving financial objectives, Council directives, and other goals and objectives to meet the operational needs of the City.
19. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required:
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or related field and seven (7) or more years of economic development experience, with at least five (5) years in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Texas Driver's License. Considerable knowledge of business development, community, tourism and economic development. Knowledge of principles and practices of planning as they pertain to development and zoning. Knowledge of municipal zoning related ordinances. Knowledge of municipal codes, ordinances, state statutes, application processing, scheduling, review procedures and code compliance. Knowledge of effective marketing, public relations, and social media strategies. Excellent written and oral communication; project management and mediating and/or negotiating skills. Ability to read maps, building and construction plans. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships and good communication with a variety of individuals; and demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and patience.
Preferred:
Master's Degree in urban planning, public administration, real estate, finance, or related field. Local government experience in a similar sized community or growing city or university community. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation and AICP designation.
Candidates selected to continue in the process will be contacted with next steps. Employment Type: Full Time