Associate Director (Econ Dev & Community Vitality)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia seeks an experienced Associate Director for Economic Development & Community Vitality to lead key programs like Virginia Main Street, Community Business Launch, and revitalization funds. You’ll guide staff, manage grants, and drive strategic planning to strengthen local economies across the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities include program oversight, performance evaluation, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with Fiscal/Policy Divisions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of how state and local entities develop, implement, and administer community economic development, revitalization, entrepreneurial support, and small business advancement programs.
• Thorough understanding of place based revitalization strategies such as main street historic preservation, real estate redevelopment, and capital access initiatives.
• Understanding of leadership principles, employee performance management, coaching strategies, workplace safety requirements, and team development techniques necessary to lead and motivate staff effectively.
• Strong written and oral communication skills used to prepare briefing materials, develop program applications, present information to leadership, and maintain effective communication with communities, partners, and stakeholders.
• High‑level proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and related computer applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading, motivating, and directing diverse professional staff, with strategic involvement in talent and personnel management.
• Experience managing multiple revitalization programs by maintaining compliance with state regulations and ensuring timely completion of program goals and requirements.
• Strong experience in program design, program funding compliance, and policy development, including analyzing and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Considerable experience developing and coordinating operational work plans, performance systems, technical assistance processes, monitoring tools, and compliance mechanisms.
• Considerable experience conducting research, performing complex technical analysis, identifying emerging issues, and translating complex concepts into targeted presentations or reports on findings.

Responsibilities

• Monitors project portfolios to evaluate implementation progress, schedules, budgets, risks, resource utilization and overall program performance.
• Identifies implementation risks, barriers, and resource needs and develops corrective action strategies.
• Oversee program managers and project managers responsible for grant administration, project implementation, monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Directs program planning, policy analysis, performance evaluation, data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement activities.
• Creates a work environment that encourages creative thinking and innovation; encourages staff to be open to applying innovative solutions, open exchange of ideas, and reasonable risk taking.
• Ensures projects and programs are implemented in accordance with approved requirements, grant agreements, state and federal regulations, Office policies, and program objectives.
• Coordinate with Fiscal and Policy Divisions as needed to ensure assigned programs maintain compliance with federal, state and agency funding requirements.
• Oversee Office reporting frameworks, dashboards, implementation metrics, performance measures, and management reporting activities.
• Directs implementation and administration of assigned state and federally funded programs, including Virginia Main Street (VMS), the Community Business Launch (CBL), real estate revitalization (Industrial Revitalization Fund) and the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program.

Skills

Community development

Leadership

Performance management

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Job description

Title: Associate Director (Econ Dev & Community Vitality)

State Role Title:Prog Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: $110k-$120k

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Housing & Cmnty Devel

Location: Main Street Centre

Agency Website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Veteran Spouses! Join the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Make a lasting impact on Virginia’s communities and local economies! The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is seeking a Community Development Associate Director to help shape and advance programs that strengthen local businesses, revitalize communities, and create opportunities for economic growth throughout the Commonwealth.

As the Community Development Associate Director, you will lead the implementation and ongoing management of several key initiatives, including Virginia Main Street (VMS), Community Business Launch (CBL), small business lending programs, the Industrial Revitalization Fund, and the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. You will oversee program operations, guide staff, manage financial and administrative resources, and ensure projects meet established objectives and applicable regulatory requirements.

This position also plays an important role in shaping program priorities, evaluating performance, and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery. Working closely with the Deputy Director, you will support strategic planning, strengthen team effectiveness, and build partnerships that help translate community needs into practical solutions. Your leadership will contribute to sustainable economic development and stronger, more vibrant communities across Virginia.

What You’ll Do:

• Monitors project portfolios to evaluate implementation progress, schedules, budgets, risks, resource utilization and overall program performance.
• Identifies implementation risks, barriers, and resource needs and develops corrective action strategies.
• Oversee program managers and project managers responsible for grant administration, project implementation, monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Directs program planning, policy analysis, performance evaluation, data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement activities.
• Creates a work environment that encourages creative thinking and innovation; encourages staff to be open to applying innovative solutions, open exchange of ideas, and reasonable risk taking.
• Ensures projects and programs are implemented in accordance with approved requirements, grant agreements, state and federal regulations, Office policies, and program objectives.
• Coordinate with Fiscal and Policy Divisions as needed to ensure assigned programs maintain compliance with federal, state and agency funding requirements.
• Oversee Office reporting frameworks, dashboards, implementation metrics, performance measures, and management reporting activities.
• Directs implementation and administration of assigned state and federally funded programs, including Virginia Main Street (VMS), the Community Business Launch (CBL), real estate revitalization (Industrial Revitalization Fund) and the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program.

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently are required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of how state and local entities develop, implement, and administer community economic development, revitalization, entrepreneurial support, and small business advancement programs.
• Thorough understanding of place based revitalization strategies such as main street historic preservation, real estate redevelopment, and capital access initiatives.
• Understanding of leadership principles, employee performance management, coaching strategies, workplace safety requirements, and team development techniques necessary to lead and motivate staff effectively.
• Strong written and oral communication skills used to prepare briefing materials, develop program applications, present information to leadership, and maintain effective communication with communities, partners, and stakeholders.
• High‑level proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and related computer applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading, motivating, and directing diverse professional staff, with strategic involvement in talent and personnel management.
• Experience managing multiple revitalization programs by maintaining compliance with state regulations and ensuring timely completion of program goals and requirements.
• Strong experience in program design, program funding compliance, and policy development, including analyzing and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Considerable experience developing and coordinating operational work plans, performance systems, technical assistance processes, monitoring tools, and compliance mechanisms.
• Considerable experience conducting research, performing complex technical analysis, identifying emerging issues, and translating complex concepts into targeted presentations or reports on findings.

Sponsorship

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations

Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Department of Housing and Community Development practices fair and equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion

DHCD is committed to providing valuable opportunities for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all employees feel supported. DHCD seeks to work with partners, grantees, and vendors who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice and have a demonstrated record of this commitment.

Alternative Hiring Process

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

Note

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.