Economic Development Project Manager

The Economic Development Project Manager is responsible for helping small businesses navigate City development processes and performs professional work involved in the day-to-day management of development and reDevelopment Projects with varying levels of complexity and investment/re-investment. An employee in this position will establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, the public, small business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and other business and community organizations. Ideal candidates will be extremely resourceful, have the ability to take initiative with minimal direction, and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Residency Incentive Program
Alternative Work Schedule Options
Paid Volunteer Time-Off
Parental Leave
Vacation and Sick Leave
12 Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life/Long term disability Insurance
Wellness Programs and Activities
Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%
Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
Employee Discount Program

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business or public administration, urban planning, or related field; and
• Considerable experience in Economic Development, city planning, building/development review, small business assistance, financial lending, development finance or commercial and/or industrial real estate. A combination of multiple aspects of these experiences and/or experience in the public sector is desired; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• A Master's degree in any of the above stated fields may be substituted for one year of required experience.
• Fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish, is desired but not required.

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

• Guides businesses and developers through City development review, permitting, and incentive processes.
• Works with small business owners to match their needs with applicable City assistance programs and/or other eligible funding sources available in the community.
• Provides technical assistance to businesses and developers in the areas of financing, zoning, land disposition, public services, and other types of assistance needed for project development.
• Helps businesses and developers resolve development challenges and connect with appropriate resources.
• Facilitates conversations with City staff, other governmental entities, partner non-profit organizations, businesses, developers, lenders, landowners, and others to ensure a strong and supportive business environment.
• Attends and participates in meetings of public boards and commissions, business districts, Chambers, and other aligned associations as a representative of the City to promote development and support small businesses.
• Prepares and gives presentations to represent Economic Development initiatives and their relationship to various City departments and the community at-large.
• Coordinates project management efforts with lenders, developers, real estate brokers, and others.
• Responds to development inquiries.
• Solicits and reviews development proposals.
• Assists with the preparation of agreements and lending documents to provide small business assistance.
• Assists with the preparation of cost estimates, budgets, project designs, plans, reports, project analysis and other documents as required.
• Directs and coordinate property acquisition and disposition activities including appraisals, offers to purchase, and closings.
• Prepares and amends urban renewal plans and related documents.
• Assists with preparing market plans and policies.
• Supervises and monitors Development Projects to ensure that plans, policies, and agreements are followed.
• Identifies potential improvements to City processes that will positively impact businesses and development.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.