Director of Community Growth & Revitalization

City of Reading, PA; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Reading, PA is seeking a Community Development Director to lead a multi-division department responsible for planning, housing, business development, and blight remediation. You will supervise deputies and coordinate with city agencies, partners, and the CRIZ related entities to implement the administration's vision for revitalization.

Responsibilities include developing plans, monitoring programs, managing HUD grants, and promoting neighborhood stabilization through housing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, Political Science, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience relevant to this position.
• Experience with construction methods, renovation, demolition, and management of large public projects.
• Experience working with residents, developers, and businesses.
• Experience negotiating complex transactions and closing large deals.

Responsibilities

• Manages personnel within the Community Development Department, including hiring, training, work supervision, and problem solving.
• Leads coordination among CD Divisions, other City agencies, and City business and community partners.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates goals and objectives, policies and procedures, program guidelines, and short and long range goals for the Divisions.
• Monitors CD programs and activities to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs as well as local, state, and federal mandates.
• Develops comprehensive performance measures and reports to evaluate the Division’s outcomes.
• Provides direction to the drafting of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, and other plans that support City revitalization efforts.
• Directs HUD-related funding initiatives, including overseeing HUD grant applications, reporting, and implementation of HUD programs.
• Identifies and oversees the application of local, state and federal grants that support community development initiatives.
• Fosters economic development, redevelopment, growth, expansion, retention, and attraction of new and existing businesses in an effort to improve employment opportunities and foster economic growth.
• Promotes neighborhood stabilization through homeownership as well as owner-occupied and rental housing rehabilitation assistance.
• Oversees the development and implementation of a city-wide blight remediation strategy.
• May serve as Executive Director of the Reading Redevelopment Authority.
• May serve asCity Liaison tothe CRIZ Authority.
• Represents the Department in various city, regional, and community meetings and public hearings, as required.
• Makes recommendations to the Managing Director and City Council regarding community development initiatives.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Urban Planning, Political Science, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

8+ years of relevant experience

Experience with construction methods, renovation, demolition and large public projects

Experience working with residents, developers, and businesses

Experience negotiating complex transactions and closing large deals

Job description

The City of Reading, PA is seeking a Community Development Director to lead a multi-division department responsible for planning, housing, business development, and blight remediation. You will supervise deputies and coordinate with city agencies, partners, and the CRIZ related entities to implement the administration's vision for revitalization.

Responsibilities include developing plans, monitoring programs, managing HUD grants, and promoting neighborhood stabilization through housing