Chief Economic Development Officer

Mackenzie Eason & Associates; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the City of Waco to identify and recruit the next Chief Economic Development Officer. This executive will steer the city's economic development strategy, evaluate investments, and manage public-private partnerships to drive long-term value.

The right leader will mature the department, build a capable team, and implement disciplined processes that enable ROI-driven decisions and sustainable growth for downtown and beyond.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in economics, planning, or related field.

Responsibilities

• The CEDO directs the City’s economic development strategy and operations, shaping investment approaches.

Skills

Municipal economic development

Development agreements

Incentives analysis

ROI assessment

Public-private partnerships

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics, Planning, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

TIF (Tax Increment Financing)

Chapter 380 agreements

Tax abatements

Public improvement districts

Job description

Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the City of Waco to find their next Chief Economic Development Officer. Waco is entering a significant period in its economic evolution. The City is experiencing continued growth, advancing one of the most ambitious downtown redevelopment initiatives in its history, and coming off a five-year period that includes more than $1.8 billion in major economic development investment across manufacturing, redevelopment, corporate employment, retail, housing, and other sectors.

That creates a compelling opportunity for a seasoned economic development executive who understands how to move complex projects from opportunity to reality while building the relationships, systems, and organizational capacity necessary for long-term success.

The next Chief Economic Development Officer will lead the City’s Economic Development Department at a moment when Waco has both considerable momentum and considerable opportunity. It is a senior leadership role responsible for helping shape the City’s economic strategy, evaluating and structuring development opportunities, guiding major public-private investments, strengthening Waco’s retail and commercial base, cultivating new markets, and serving as a trusted advisor to the City Manager and City Council.

Just as importantly, Waco is looking for an experienced leader who can help mature the organization itself, developing a talented emerging team, strengthening processes and analytics, and positioning the Economic Development Department for its next stage of growth.

The Role: Leading Waco's Next Economic Development Chapter

The Chief Economic Development Officer will direct the City's economic development strategy and operations while serving as one of the primary voices shaping how Waco approaches investment, growth, redevelopment, and business development.

The CEDO will develop and execute strategies for attracting new businesses while supporting existing business growth and retention; identify infrastructure and development opportunities; evaluate proposed public investments; negotiate agreements with developers and businesses; manage major incentive programs; and provide decision-ready recommendations to the City Manager and elected leadership.

A Broad View of Economic Development

While many economic development organizations concentrate almost exclusively on industrial recruitment, the City recognizes retail and commercial development as important components of its economic strategy, particularly because of their impact on sales tax revenue, quality of life, and Waco's ability to serve a growing regional population.

The opportunity extends well beyond traditional retail. Waco has attracted international investment, including companies with ties to Mexico and Germany, and has pursued relationships connected to Korean investment associated with the rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas. The region's interstate, rail, utility, and geographic position also create significant opportunities in logistics and distribution.

For the right leader, this is an opportunity to help broaden Waco's economic development portfolio while maintaining the City's existing strengths.

A Track Record of Economic Development Success

The next Chief Economic Development Officer will inherit meaningful momentum.

Over the past five years, Waco has advanced a diverse portfolio of economic development projects representing more than $1.8 billion in announced or committed investment across manufacturing, corporate headquarters, redevelopment, retail, housing, logistics, and community-serving projects.

Recent wins and major projects include:

• Graphic Packaging International — approximately $1.026 billion in investment and 190 new jobs, representing one of the largest projects in Waco’s recent economic development portfolio.
• Electrolit — approximately $220 million in investment and 149 new jobs, adding a significant new manufacturing operation to the community.
• Barron’s Branch Phase 1A — approximately $154 million in investment, advancing a major component of Waco’s broader downtown redevelopment initiative.
• Riverway — approximately $130 million in investment, adding another large-scale redevelopment project to Waco’s pipeline.
• Floyd Casey Development — approximately $100 million in investment, transforming the former stadium property into a major new development opportunity.

Development with a Return

Waco is willing to be creative in economic development, but the City expects its investments to produce a meaningful public return.

The City evaluates these investments through an ROI-oriented lens. Financial return is important, but the analysis can extend beyond direct tax revenue to include outcomes such as job creation, catalytic development, redevelopment of strategic areas, and the broader economic impact generated by a project.

Downtown Waco: A Generational Redevelopment Opportunity

Few assignments will better illustrate the scale of opportunity facing the next CEDO than the transformation underway in downtown Waco.

The City of Waco is partnering with Hunt Real Estate on a long-term redevelopment initiative covering more than 100 acres along the Brazos River. Plans envision signature public spaces including a new town square, central events lawn, ballpark, enhanced green spaces, and a more connected, parks-oriented urban center. (Waco Downtown Redevelopment)

Why This Opportunity Is Distinctive

Significant momentum already exists.

The opportunity is to build on that momentum, broaden the pipeline, and elevate the sophistication of how Waco identifies, evaluates, competes for, and executes its next generation of projects.

The City is willing to do deals, but expects discipline.

Waco understands that economic development frequently requires creativity and public-private partnership. At the same time, City leadership expects incentives to produce demonstrable value. The next CEDO will have room to think creatively while operating within a culture that expects sound analysis, defensible recommendations, and a clear understanding of return on public investment.

Downtown redevelopment creates a once-in-a-generation assignment.

This is not conceptual planning. Major public investment is moving forward, development opportunities are being created, and the City is actively positioning downtown for substantial private-sector investment. (Waco Downtown Redevelopment)

There is room to broaden Waco's economic development reach.

Retail and commercial development will remain important, but Waco's geography, infrastructure, growing reputation, international relationships, and proximity to major Texas markets create opportunities across additional sectors.

The next CEDO can help identify where the City should become more aggressive, where partnerships should lead, and how Waco can compete more strategically for high-value investment.

The organization is ready for an experienced mentor.

The Economic Development Department has talented professionals and developing leadership depth. What the City needs now is someone who has seen enough deals, political environments, negotiations, successes, and failures to help accelerate the development of the people around them.

What the City Is Looking for in the Next Chief Economic Development Officer

Waco is seeking a seasoned economic development professional with strong technical knowledge, mature judgment, and the interpersonal skill to operate successfully in a relationship-driven community.

This is not a role for someone who needs to learn economic development fundamentals after arriving. The City needs a leader who understands how development projects actually work, including incentives, negotiations, development agreements, financing structures, public-private partnerships, and the political environment surrounding significant public investment.

The strongest candidates will bring:

• Deep, practical experience with municipal economic development and development agreements;
• Strong command of tools such as TIF, Chapter 380 agreements, tax abatements, public improvement districts, and related incentives;
• Experience analyzing and negotiating complex development projects;
• An ability to assess incentives through an ROI and community-benefit lens;
• A demonstrated record of building productive relationships across organizations with competing interests;
• Political and organizational judgment in working with City Managers, elected officials, attorneys, developers, and community stakeholders;
• A broad understanding of economic development that encompasses retail, commercial, business attraction, redevelopment, and major investment;
• Strong executive communication skills and the ability to present complex recommendations clearly in public settings; and
• A record of coaching, mentoring, and developing economic development professionals.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• A bachelor's degree in Economics, Planning, Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration, or a related field; and
• At least seven years of experience in economic and community development and regulatory program management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates should also demonstrate substantial knowledge of federal, state, and local laws affecting economic development and experience with Texas economic development tools including Tax Increment Financing Districts, Public Improvement Districts, Chapter 380 grants, and tax abatements.

The City of Waco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check.