Assistant City Manager/DDA Director

City of St Joseph; Grand Blanc (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of St Joseph is seeking an Assistant City Manager/DDA Director to lead city administration and the Downtown Development Authority. This role will serve as the primary backup to the City Manager and head the DDA, directing economic development strategies and capital projects.

We seek a leader who can build strong relationships with local government, businesses, and residents while guiding budgeting, grant writing, and strategic planning to foster a vibrant downtown and sustainable city

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration or related field.
• Three years of related experience.
• Strong leadership and budgeting skills.

Responsibilities

• Act for City Manager in absence and represent at meetings.
• Participate in union contract negotiations.
• Manage DDA day-to-day operations, budgeting and admin.
• Collaborate with DDA Board and businesses to drive development.
• Implement capital improvement projects.
• Lead economic development projects.
• Attend DDA Board and City Council meetings.
• Prepare grants and sponsorships.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder relations

Budgeting

Office software

Communication

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration

Tools

Accounting software

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Job description

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/DDA DIRECTOR

SUMMARY

The Assistant City Manager/DDA Director plays a pivotal leadership role in city administration and community growth, serving as the primary backup to the City Manager and as the executive leader of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). This dual-focused position is responsible for driving economic development, managing DDA operations, implementing capital improvement projects, and fostering vibrant community and business relationships.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties. (These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform.)

• 1. Acts for the City Manager in his/her absence and may represent the City Manager at conferences and other meetings. Completes special work projects assigned. Attend various City meetings.
• 2. Participate in all union contract negotiations.
• 3. Manage the day-to-day operations of the DDA, including budgeting and administrative duties.
• 4. Work closely with the DDA Board of Directors, city officials, local businesses, and community organizations to implement strategies that drive economic development, construct and improve public spaces, and create a vibrant downtown district.
• 5. Implement capital improvement projects as approved by the DDA Board of Directors.
• 6. Support strategic planning efforts and measurement of progress toward strategic goals.
• 7. Leads and assists with Economic Development projects.
• 8. Attend and facilitate monthly DDA Board of Directors meetings.
• 9. Attend City Council meetings.
• 10. Writes or assists with grants and sponsorships.
• 11. Acts as Chalet Lease Agent.
• 12. Prepares deposits of cash receipts for appropriate bank accounts and transfers funds to cover City operating expenses as directed. Prepares summary reports of receipts and disbursements for Major and Local Street Fund, General Fund, Sewer Fund, Water Fund and Tax Fund.
• 13. Assists in Requests for Proposal/Qualifications projects.
• 14. Serves as social media director.
• 15. Perform related duties as required.
• 16. Seeks out and completes advanced professional development, including relevant certifications, workshops, and municipal administration courses to support ongoing leadership and DDA programs.
• 17. Maintains relevant certifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, QUALIFICATIONS & KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) FOR EMPLOYMENT

All of the following functions, qualifications, KSAs and duties are essential. An employee in this class, upon appointment, should have the equivalent of the following:

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Knowledge of general business and municipal accounting, budgeting, bookkeeping and statistical procedures to manage the financial records and investments of the City.
• Skill in the use of a computer, calculator and other office equipment with accompanying experience in computerized accounting systems, spreadsheets and word processing.
• Ability to answer citizens’ questions.
• Skill in training and supervision of the work of others.
• Ability to demonstrate adequate keyboarding skills to fulfill job responsibilities.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration or related field.
• Three (3) years of related experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role regularly involves communicating verbally and in writing, reading printed and digital materials, and typing on a computer. Candidates must be able to move around an office environment, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, reach, and lift lightweight items as needed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a business office setting but is required to visit various indoor and outdoor locations throughout the City. As a result, the employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions and loud noises, dust or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may become moderate to loud in field work.