Economic Development Director

Big-Valley-Rancheria; Lakeport (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Big-Valley-Rancheria seeks an experienced Economic Development Director to plan, organize, and implement strategies that grow the Tribe’s economy. You will drive business retention/expansion, redevelopment, and grant initiatives while coordinating with Tribal departments, agencies, and external partners.

The role requires leadership, strategic planning, financial modeling, and strong collaboration to maximize long-term sustainability and diversification of tribal enterprise opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading economic development initiatives and multi-stakeholder collaborations.
• Ability to develop strategic plans aligned with community and tribal priorities.
• Proven track record in project management, budgeting, and grant administration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy.
• Identify and pursue revenue opportunities through tribal enterprises, partnerships, and grants.
• Oversee feasibility studies, market analyses, and ROI analyses for projects.
• Coordinate pre-development activities: site selection, permitting, and infrastructure planning.
• Manage department budget, work plans, and performance objectives.
• Lead staff, consultants, and partners, ensuring high performance and accountability.
• Represent the Tribe in meetings and negotiations with stakeholders and funders.

Skills

Economic development

Strategic planning

Project management

Grant writing

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

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.Knowledge and SkillsPrinciples and practices of economic development, including business attraction, retention, and redevelopmentPublic administration and Tribal governance structuresStrategic planning, project management, and program evaluationMarket analysis, economic forecasting, and data interpretationContract negotiation and developmentApplicable federal, state, and Tribal laws, regulations, and policiesEconomic development financing tools and incentives (Tribal and general economic development tools preferred)AbilityLead and manage economic development programs and initiativesExercise sound judgment and decision-makingPrepare clear, concise reports and presentationsAnalyze complex issues and develop effective solutionsCommunicate effectively both orally and in writingBuild and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders