Economic Development Director

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians; Lakeport (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians in California seeks an Economic Development Director to lead the Tribe’s growth initiatives, balancing business retention, attraction, and community prosperity.

You will develop strategies, manage grants, oversee partnerships, and coordinate complex development projects with Tribal departments and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of five years in economic or community development; tribal experience preferred.
• Master’s degree highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Tribe’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy aligned with priorities and needs.
• Identify revenue opportunities through tribal enterprise development, partnerships, tourism, energy, housing, and infrastructure.
• Oversee evaluation of tribal enterprises and perform feasibility analyses for growth opportunities.
• Lead economic development projects from concept to completion including redevelopment and infrastructure.
• Conduct market analyses, financial modeling, and ROI analyses for opportunities.
• Coordinate pre-development activities: site selection, land use, environmental review, and permitting.
• Manage department budget, plans, performance objectives, and operations.
• Supervise staff and consultants; foster development and accountability.
• Identify and secure grant funding from tribal, federal, state, and private sources; manage reporting.
• Build strategic partnerships with tribal, local, regional, state, and federal entities.

Skills

Economic development

Strategic planning

Project management

Grant writing

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development or related field

Master’s degree desired

Tools

Microsoft Excel

GIS (optional)

Job description

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Tribal Administrator, the Economic Development Director plans, organizes, and implements economic development strategies and initiatives that support the Tribe’s long-term economic growth and sustainability. Responsibilities include business retention and expansion, business attraction, redevelopment planning, grant and partnership development, and coordination of community and infrastructure initiatives related to economic development.

The Director performs a wide range of administrative, professional, technical, and project management duties while collaborating with Tribal departments, businesses, governmental agencies, and external partners to strengthen and diversify the Tribal economy. The position operates with a high degree of independent judgment while coordinating major initiatives and policy recommendations through the Tribal Administrator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following:

The duties listed below are representative and not intended to be a comprehensive list. The incumbent may be required to perform additional duties as needed.

• Develop and implement the Tribe’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, ensuring alignment with the Tribe’s strategic priorities, long-term sustainability goals, and community needs.


• Identify, evaluate, and develop new revenue-generating opportunities through Tribal enterprise development, strategic partnerships, commercial ventures, tourism, renewable energy, housing, infrastructure, land development, and other diversified economic initiatives.


• Provide strategic oversight and support for Tribal enterprises by evaluating operational and financial performance, identifying expansion opportunities, conducting feasibility analyses, and recommending improvements that strengthen long-term profitability and sustainability.


• Lead and manage economic development projects from concept through implementation, including redevelopment initiatives, infrastructure improvements, business attraction, development negotiations, and community development projects.


• Conduct feasibility studies, market analyses, financial modeling, and return-on-investment (ROI) analyses to evaluate proposed projects, investments, and development opportunities.


• Coordinate pre-development activities, including site selection, land use planning, environmental review, permitting, infrastructure planning, engineering coordination, and project due diligence.


• Develop and manage the department budget, establish annual work plans and performance objectives, and oversee departmental operations, administrative functions, documentation, and workflow processes.


• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned staff, consultants, contractors, and project teams, fostering professional development, accountability, and high performance.


• Identify, pursue, secure, and administer grant funding from Tribal, federal, state, and private sources, including preparing grant applications, managing budgets, ensuring compliance, monitoring expenditures, and completing required reporting.


• Coordinate with Tribal departments, governmental agencies, funding organizations, private developers, financial institutions, and community partners to successfully implement economic development initiatives and leverage available resources.


• Analyze economic conditions, demographic trends, and market opportunities to support business attraction, business retention, workforce development, investment decisions, and long-term economic planning.


• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with Tribal, local, regional, state, and federal agencies, educational institutions, private industry, investors, and community organizations to advance Tribal economic opportunities.


• Represent the Tribe in meetings, negotiations, conferences, and public forums, promoting investment opportunities and fostering positive relationships with prospective businesses, developers, investors, and strategic partners.


• Prepare reports, presentations, resolutions, business cases, and policy recommendations for the Tribal Administrator, Business Committee, Tribal Council, and other governing bodies regarding economic development initiatives and investment opportunities.


• Negotiate and coordinate development agreements, contracts, memoranda of understanding, leases, requests for proposals (RFPs), and other business agreements, subject to Tribal legal review and established approval processes.


• Conduct community outreach and stakeholder engagement activities to gather input, communicate project progress, build consensus, and promote transparency throughout economic development initiatives.


• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure operational efficiency, fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and effective project management.


• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Tribe’s economic development objectives.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge and Skills

• Principles and practices of economic development, including business attraction, retention, and redevelopment


• Public administration and Tribal governance structures


• Strategic planning, project management, and program evaluation


• Market analysis, economic forecasting, and data interpretation


• Contract negotiation and development


• Applicable federal, state, and Tribal laws, regulations, and policies


• Economic development financing tools and incentives (Tribal and general economic development tools preferred)

Ability

• Lead and manage economic development programs and initiatives


• Exercise sound judgment and decision-making


• Prepare clear, concise reports and presentations


• Analyze complex issues and develop effective solutions


• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing


• Build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders


• Navigate political and organizational dynamics with professionalism and discretion. Develop innovative economic development strategies that promote long-term Tribal self-sufficiency.


• Analyze financial and economic data to support informed decision-making.


• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.


• Build consensus among diverse stakeholders while maintaining positive working relationships.


• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in politically sensitive matters.


• Negotiate effectively with public agencies, private developers, contractors, and funding organizations.


• Communicate complex financial and development concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

PERFORMANCE/OUTCOME EXPECTATIONS:

• Position success will be measured through progress on strategic initiatives, successful grant acquisition and administration, partnership development, project implementation, and advancement of Tribal economic goals.


• Develop innovative economic development strategies that promote long-term Tribal self-sufficiency.


• Analyze financial and economic data to support informed decision-making.


• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.


• Build consensus among diverse stakeholders while maintaining positive working relationships.


• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in politically sensitive matters.


• Negotiate effectively with public agencies, private developers, contractors, and funding organizations.


• Communicate complex financial and development concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field


• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic or community development (Tribal experience preferred)


• Master’s degree is highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be eligible for coverage under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance policy.


• This position may require evening meetings, travel, emergency response coordination, and work outside normal business hours.


• Must possess a valid California driver’s license. Must be willing to travel locally, regionally, statewide, and/or out-of-state, as necessary, during or after regular working hours.


• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age.


• Must successfully pass all required pre-employment screenings in accordance with Tribal policy.


• Work involves periods of sitting, walking, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities, and lifting moderately heavy items, up to 50 lbs.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified American Indians in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 U.S. Code, § 472 and 473). Applicants claiming Indian preference must submit verification by Tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Tribal Enrollment.