Economic Development Deputy Director

Town of Gilbert; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 126,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree, 7 years in economic development, a CEcD certification (preferred), and a valid Arizona driver’s license. The Deputy Director will supervise staff, negotiate development agreements, and build annual work plans and pipelines for Gilbert’s economic future.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 7 years of experience in economic development, including attraction, retention, and expansion, redevelopment, or marketing.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or similar industry-specific professional certification, preferred.
• Valid Arizona Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Business Attraction, Business Retention/Expansion, and Marketing & Communications program areas for the Office of Economic Development.
• Negotiate development agreements between the Town, developers, and corporate partners on projects involving financial support.
• Supervise and support a team of economic development professionals, assigning and reviewing their work.
• Advise Town management, the Mayor, and Council on economic development initiatives through written reports and in-person briefings.
• Build annual work plans and manage project schedules and the department's lead and project pipeline.
• For a full list of duties, please review the job description.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, Redevelopment, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Real Estate, or closely related field

Job description

Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to serve as Economic Development Deputy Director. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.

The Economic Development Deputy Director reports to the Economic Development Director. The primary functions of this position include:

• Lead and direct the Business Attraction, Business Retention/Expansion, and Marketing & Communications program areas for the Office of Economic Development
• Negotiate development agreements between the Town, developers, and corporate partners on projects involving financial support
• Supervise and support a team of economic development professionals, assigning and reviewing their work
• Advise Town management, the Mayor, and Council on economic development initiatives through written reports and in-person briefings
• Build annual work plans and manage project schedules and the department's lead and project pipeline
• For a full list of duties, please review the job description.

The hiring range of this position is $126,304 - $157,880, depending on the candidate's qualifications. This position is FLSA Exempt and is an at-will position with the Town of Gilbert.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

• Posting Closes: November 8, 2026
• Virtual Interviews Due: November 17, 2026
• Tentative In-Person Interviews: December 2, 2026
• Tentative Start Date: January 4, 2027

You are a strategic, experienced economic development professional who knows how to turn complex real estate and financial negotiations into real results for a community. You're a confident communicator who can brief Town Council and executive leadership just as easily as you can guide a team of economic development professionals day to day. You thrive on building annual work plans, tracking project pipelines, and resolving the operational challenges that come with managing multiple lines of service at once. You bring sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine interest in shaping Gilbert's economic future.

At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, Redevelopment, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Real Estate, or a closely related field
• 7 years of experience in economic development, including attraction, retention, and expansion, redevelopment, or marketing
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or similar industry-specific professional certification, preferred
• Valid Arizona Driver's License

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.