Economic Development Manager

City-of-Yuma,-A; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Yuma seeks an experienced Economic Development Manager to lead the Neighborhood & Economic Development Division and drive strategies that attract new businesses while supporting expansion and retention. The role focuses on planning, coordinating, and advancing economic initiatives to strengthen the community’s prosperity.

Under general supervision, you will manage development activities, oversee real estate and incentive programs, analyze data, and build partnerships with regional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; five years in economic development or related areas with at least three years in supervision; master’s degree desirable.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local ordinances, urban redevelopment, sales processes, and economic trends.
• Experience with site analysis, real estate development, and incentive agreements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, manage, and coordinate economic development activities for the City.
• Lead neighborhood and economic development initiatives, business retention and attraction.
• Supervise staff, set performance goals, and evaluate staff performance.
• Engage with community partners on workforce development and economic growth.
• Collect and analyze data to identify industries and track trends.
• Oversee land acquisition, negotiations, and development agreements.
• Coordinate with City departments through the development approval process.
• Develop sales and marketing strategies to attract targeted industries.
• Represent City policies to the public and city staff; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Project planning

Supervisory experience

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Public speaking / writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, public administration, planning or related field

Master's degree (desirable)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Are you looking to join a team that values professionalism, accountability, integrity, and responsiveness? Do you want to be part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as an Economic Development Manager working with the City of Yuma Community Development Department. The ideal candidate will manage and oversee the City’s Neighborhood & Economic Development Division and develop strategies to attract new businesses and encourage expansion and retention of existing business.

Under general supervision, plans, organizes, manages, and coordinates the City’s economic development activities and operations including business retention, business expansion, and business attraction efforts; prepares and implements long‑range economic development plans, goals, and objectives for the City; and provides highly responsible and complex support to the City Administrator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages and oversees the City’s Economic Development Division and develops strategies to attract new businesses and encourage expansion and retention of existing business.
• Supervises staff and coordinates personnel‑related activities including training, approving work schedules, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
• Responds to leads generated by regional and state agencies.
• Works with community partners on workforce development efforts to grow the local workforce.
• Collects, analyzes, and compiles economic, market, and demographic data to identify specific industries and businesses suitable for the City and to track economic trends.
• Identifies real estate development opportunities within the community; analyzes the economic feasibility of potential development projects; provides site analysis information, including demographic, tax, fee, development, and related information.
• Coordinates City land acquisition activities, including site characterization, appraisal, title review, environmental and geotechnical investigations, relocation, and site preparation.
• Assists with negotiation, preparation, processing, and implementation of disposition and development agreements, purchase and sale agreements, incentive agreements, contracts, resolutions, and requests for proposals/qualifications.
• Guides economic development projects through the development approval process, coordinating plan processing by various City departments.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy to attract targeted industries to the city.
• Prepares for and attends relevant sector tradeshows to generate business leads and coordinates other economic development activities and tours.
• Works with a variety of software applications utilizing various social media platforms.
• Develops effective and collaborative working relationships with economic development groups and organizations, internal customers, business owners, and elected officials.
• Supports and represents City Council and management policies and practices to the public and other City employees.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values, and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work‑related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, economics, public administration, planning or a closely related field; AND five years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, commercial real estate or redevelopment, including at least three years in a supervisory capacity OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. A master’s degree is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state and local ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices of economic development and urban redevelopment.
• Principles and practices of sales including sales models, forecasting, pipeline management, and lifecycle.
• Local, regional, statewide, and national economic development trends and issues.
• Research techniques, methods and procedures.
• Principles and practices of effective employee supervision and administrative management.
• Principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, and administration.
• Real estate and site selection principles and practices.
• Principles of municipal budgeting, finance, and accounting.
• Personal computer operation and software applications.

Skill in:

• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating economic development projects.
• Interpreting and applying federal and state regulations pertaining to urban economic development.
• Analyzing and interpreting business development issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
• Analyzing City needs and prioritizing and promoting programs to meet development strategies.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co‑workers, city leadership, elected officials, developers, other community development agencies and the general public.
• Communicating complicated or technical concepts effectively verbally and in writing.
• Conducting research, providing statistical and financial analysis, evaluating programs and preparing and presenting accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Negotiating and performing cost/benefit analysis.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Arizona State Driver’s License may be required.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.