Assistant Town Manager - Economic Development Director

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR; South Windsor (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of South Windsor seeks an Assistant Town Manager for Economic Development to lead and coordinate municipal operations and major economic development initiatives. You will serve as the Director of Economic Development, guiding business attraction, retention, and investment while working with town departments and regional partners.

As a senior member of the administrative team, you will develop programs, manage incentives, and navigate permitting processes to advance South Windsor’s

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration or related field plus progressively responsible experience in municipal government, public administration, economic development, or related fields.
• Thorough knowledge of modern public administration and related research methods.
• Extensive knowledge of economic and community development principles, programs, and strategies.
• Ability to coordinate complex development projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong budget development and monitoring skills; ability to manage expenditures.

Responsibilities

• Assists Town Manager in coordinating and administrating municipal operations and economic development initiatives.
• Leads and supports development of short- and long-range plans; gathers data for studies and reports.
• Represents the Town in regional and state economic development activities.
• Develops relationships with businesses and property owners to promote retention, expansion, and investment.
• Prepares economic development studies, reports, and recommendations for Town leadership.

Education

Master’s degree in public administration or related field

Job description

Assistant Town Manager - Economic Development Director

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Close Date

Location 7

Description

NATURE OF WORK

This is highly responsible administrative, managerial, professional, and technical work assisting the Town Manager in the coordination and administration of Town government and serving as the Town’s Director of Economic Development. The position provides leadership and support in the administration of municipal operations, interdepartmental coordination, economic and community development, business attraction and retention, grant development, and other special projects as assigned by the Town Manager.

The position serves as a senior member of the Town Manager’s administrative team and assists in developing a flexible and anticipatory organization that provides cost-effective, customer-friendly delivery of quality services to the community. The position works collaboratively with Town departments, boards and commissions, elected officials, businesses, community organizations, regional partners, and State and Federal agencies to advance the Town’s strategic priorities and economic and community development objectives.

As Director of Economic Development, the position is responsible for developing and facilitating economic development programs and initiatives designed to promote business development, investment, retention, expansion, and attraction within the Town. The position serves as a primary municipal resource for existing and prospective businesses and assists businesses, developers, property owners, and other stakeholders in navigating Town processes, regulations, permitting requirements, available incentives, and other resources.

As assigned by the Town Manager, the position may coordinate major development initiatives and special projects involving multiple Town departments and outside agencies, and may serve as the Town’s representative in regional, State, and Federal economic development activities.

An essential part of the duties of this position is assisting in developing and utilizing the potential of each employee to successfully find new ways to deliver both the short- and long-term needs of South Windsor consistent with the Town’s goals and objectives.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Town Manager. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of program effectiveness and accomplishment of established objectives.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assistant Town Manager/Administration

• Assists the Town Manager in the planning, coordination, and administration of municipal operations; coordinates activities among Town departments and with outside agencies as needed.
• Assists the Town Manager in implementing policies, programs, and strategic priorities established by the Town Council.
• Provides professional advice and recommendations to the Town Manager, Town Council, Department Directors, boards and commissions, and other municipal officials on administrative, operational, economic development, and community development matters.
• Makes presentations to the Town Council, boards and commissions, civic groups, businesses, community organizations, and the general public as directed by the Town Manager.
• Prepares reports, memoranda, presentations, studies, and recommendations for the Town Manager, Town Council, boards and commissions, and other groups and individuals.
• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations.
• Coordinates Town activities and special projects involving multiple departments, boards, commissions, governmental agencies, and outside organizations.
• Assists in the identification of operational efficiencies, organizational improvements, and opportunities for improved service delivery.
• Assists the Town Manager in the development, administration, and monitoring of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; monitors revenues and expenditures to assure sound fiscal control and the effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
• Prepares statistical and narrative reports for the Town Manager and Town Council upon request.
• Serves as Acting Town Manager in the temporary absence of the Town Manager, as assigned.
• Serves as Acting Purchasing Director in the absence of the Human Resources Director, as assigned.

Economic Development

• Serves as the Town’s Director of Economic Development and primary municipal point of contact for existing and prospective businesses, developers, property owners, commercial brokers, and other economic development stakeholders.
• Develops, coordinates, and facilitates short- and long-range economic and community development programs and initiatives consistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, zoning regulations, strategic priorities, and policies established by the Town Council.
• Develops and maintains relationships with businesses and property owners to promote business retention, expansion, and investment within the Town.
• Identifies opportunities to attract new businesses, industries, investment, and development to South Windsor and develops strategies to target appropriate business sectors and development opportunities.
• Provides information and assistance to businesses and prospective businesses regarding available commercial properties, utilities, taxes, zoning, transportation, community services, financing resources, incentives, permitting processes, and other factors relevant to establishing or expanding a business in South Windsor.
• Serves as an advocate and facilitator for appropriate economic development projects and assists applicants in navigating municipal permitting and approval processes by coordinating with Planning, Engineering, Building, Fire, Public Works, Finance, and other Town departments as appropriate.
• Coordinates and facilitates communication among businesses, developers, property owners, Town staff, boards and commissions, and State and regional agencies to promote timely and effective consideration of economic development projects.
• Researches and evaluates local, State, and Federal economic development programs, incentives, grants, financing tools, and other resources that may benefit the Town or local businesses.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities and other external funding sources in support of economic development, community development, infrastructure, placemaking, and other Town priorities, as assigned.
• Develops and maintains current information regarding available commercial and industrial properties, development opportunities, infrastructure, utilities, transportation, zoning, taxes, incentives, and other community assets for economic development purposes.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local, regional, State, and Federal economic development organizations and agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and regional economic development partners.
• Works with the Town Manager and appropriate boards and commissions to develop and implement strategies to promote South Windsor as a desirable location for business investment, employment, and economic activity.
• Participates in the development of economic development marketing materials, promotional campaigns, community profiles, business directories, property information, and other communications designed to promote the Town.
• Works closely with the local business community, Chamber of Commerce, business associations, property owners, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and concerns affecting business location, retention, and expansion.
• Maintains regular communication with existing businesses to identify opportunities, challenges, and municipal or external resources that may assist with business retention and expansion.
• Coordinates and/or participates in meetings with prospective businesses, developers, property owners, brokers, and other interested parties considering investment or development in the Town.
• Provides information and makes presentations to the Town Council, boards and commissions, civic organizations, businesses, individuals, and the general public regarding economic development programs, projects, opportunities, and initiatives.
• Prepares economic development studies, reports, demographic and market analyses, business profiles, property analyses, and recommendations for the Town Manager and Town Council.
• Monitors economic development trends, demographic changes, commercial real estate conditions, development activity, and other factors affecting the Town’s economic competitiveness.
• Works with the Town Manager and appropriate Town staff to identify redevelopment, revitalization, infrastructure, and other community investment opportunities that support the Town’s long-term economic objectives.
• Participates in regional economic development initiatives and represents the Town at meetings, conferences, trade events, and other activities as assigned by the Town Manager.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs related work as required.
• Represents the Town at meetings and events with municipal, regional, State, and Federal agencies, business organizations, civic groups, and other community stakeholders as assigned.
• Participates in professional development activities, conferences, and training related to municipal administration, economic development, emergency management, grants, and related areas.
• One theme of this Total Quality Management organization is teamwork both within departments and among departments to maximize quality service delivery to the citizens of South Windsor.
• Personnel are encouraged and expected to perform work not definitively described in their job descriptions. Recognition of individual performance beyond one’s job description is a function of the Town’s employee recognition programs and/or incentive pay plan.

Position Requirements

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Graduation from a college or university with a Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, urban or regional planning, community development, or a related field; supplemented by progressively responsible experience in municipal government, public administration, economic development, community development, planning, business development, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern public administration and related research methods and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of economic and community development principles, practices, programs, and strategies.
• Considerable knowledge of municipal government operations, organizational development, municipal finance, budgeting, land use, planning, zoning, permitting, and public safety.
• Knowledge of commercial and industrial development processes, real estate development, redevelopment, business attraction, business retention, and business expansion.
• Knowledge of State and Federal economic development programs, incentives, grants, financing programs, and other resources.
• Knowledge of the roles and functions of municipal, regional, State, and Federal agencies involved in economic and community development.
• Knowledge of contract administration and purchasing.
• Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and present economic, demographic, financial, land use, and other information relevant to municipal decision-making.
• Ability to identify economic development opportunities and develop strategies to attract, retain, and expand businesses and investment.
• Ability to serve as an effective liaison among businesses, developers, property owners, municipal departments, elected officials, boards and commissions, and governmental agencies.
• Ability to facilitate complex development and community projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing interests.
• Ability to assist businesses and developers in navigating municipal processes and coordinating with appropriate Town departments and agencies.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with business leaders, community organizations, governmental officials, and the general public.
• Skill in preparing and administering municipal budgets and monitoring expenditures.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise, and professional reports, correspondence, presentations, studies, and recommendations.
• Good executive ability to carry out assigned projects to completion and to exercise sound judgment in matters requiring discretion.
• Good ability to prepare factual reports and make reasonable conclusions and recommendations.
• Good ability to present information clearly and concisely to elected officials, boards and commissions, staff, businesses, civic organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and exercise considerable discretion and judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town employees, public officials, business representatives, developers, governmental agencies, and the general public.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk, kneel and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Salary Information $100,000 to $120,000 DOE

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Position Assistant Town Manager - Economic Development Director

Open Date 10/29/2026

This position is currently accepting applications.