ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR / PROJECT MANAGER

City of Lilburn; Lilburn (GA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance and long‑term disabled

GMA retirement and 457(b) plan

Job summary

The City of Lilburn seeks an Economic Development Administrator / Project Manager to plan, coordinate, and implement the city’s economic development strategy and real estate initiatives from concept to completion.

This hands‑on role requires leading business recruitment and redevelopment efforts, coordinating with departments and stakeholders, and delivering projects with strong stakeholder relationships. Salary is competitive and based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of municipal economic development and redevelopment
• Experience in business recruitment, retention, and expansion
• Real estate development processes and public‑private partnerships
• Understanding of local government operations and regulations
• Experience with economic research methods and data analysis
• Budgeting, grants, and incentive program administration

Responsibilities

• Develops and evaluates economic growth strategies aligned with the City’s plans.
• Leads business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts with stakeholders.
• Acts as primary contact for inquiries on development processes and incentives.
• Coordinates redevelopment and real estate projects with internal and external partners.
• Performs market research and feasibility analyses to support decisions.
• Supports programs, incentives, and partnerships to align with laws and funding rules.
• Supports marketing efforts to attract business investment and tourism.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for leadership and councils.
• Represents the City at meetings and regional economic development organizations.
• Collaborates with planning, zoning, and building departments for coordinated review.

Skills

Strategic planning

Economic development

Data analysis

Relationship building

Public presentations

Project management

Policy interpretation

Cross‑department collaboration

Job description

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR / PROJECT MANAGER

The Economic Development Administrator / Project Manager is an execution-focused professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing the City’s economic development strategy and for advancing economic development and real estate initiatives from concept through completion.

This position provides professional-level leadership and subject-matter expertise in economic development strategy, business recruitment and retention, redevelopment coordination, real estate development support, and marketing initiatives that enhance the City’s quality of life and business environment.

The position reports to the Assistant City Manager, works closely with the City Manager and Planning Director, and serves as the central point of coordination between the City and the downtown development authority. The position also works collaboratively with City departments, elected officials, developers, and the business community.

Success in this position requires direct experience managing commercial real estate development, redevelopment, mixed-use development, public/private partnerships, and economic development projects, with a demonstrated record of delivering projects from concept through entitlement, financing, construction, and completion, and the ability to independently advance complex initiatives while maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. This is a hands‑on, implementation-focused position rather than an analyst or management role that relies on staff for implementation.

Major Duties

The Economic Development Administrator/ Project Manager performs professional, administrative, and strategic work related to economic development initiatives. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops, implements, and evaluates economic growth and development strategies aligned with the City’s comprehensive plan, strategic goals, and adopted policies.
• Leads business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts, including outreach to existing businesses, site selectors, developers, and prospective employers.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for economic development inquiries, providing guidance related to development processes, incentives, permitting coordination, and available City resources.
• Coordinates redevelopment initiatives, commercial revitalization efforts, and real estate development projects in collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Conducts economic and market research, data analysis, and feasibility assessments to support informed decision‑making and policy development.
• Assists in the development and administration of economic development programs, incentives, and partnerships, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and funding requirements.
• Supports marketing and promotional efforts to position the City as a competitive and attractive location for business investment, tourism, and economic activity.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations for the Assistant City Manager, City Manager, Mayor and Council, boards, and commissions.
• Represents the City at meetings, conferences, and regional or state economic development organizations as assigned.
• Collaborates with planning, zoning, building, and other City departments to facilitate coordinated development review and project implementation.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
• Perform[?] other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge of:- Principles and practices of municipal economic development and redevelopment.- Business recruitment, retention, and expansion strategies.- Real estate development processes and public‑private partnerships.- Local government operations, policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.- Economic and demographic research methods and data analysis.- Budgeting, grants, and incentive program administration.- State and Federal grants and financial resources associated with local revitalization. Skill in:- Strategic planning and economic development program implementation and growth.- Research, analysis, and problem‑solving.- Building effective relationships with businesses, developers, and community partners.- Oral and written communication, including public presentations and report preparation.- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. Ability to:- Interpret and apply policies, plans, and regulations.- Communicate complex economic and development concepts clearly.- Work collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders.- Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and long‑term disability benefits are paid by the City.
• The City participates in the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Employee Retirement Defined Benefit Retirement program and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.

The expected starting salary for this position will be determined based on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Salary

Salary Range: $77,000 - $90,000, depending on qualifications.

The City of Lilburn is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

340 Main Street, Lilburn, GA 30047