Strategic Deputy Director, Economic Growth & Innovation

City of Birmingham; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Birmingham is seeking a Deputy Director for the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity to lead workforce strategies, business growth, and inclusive economic development. The role focuses on talent development, neighborhood revitalization, and data‑driven program management.

Working with the Mayor’s Office and stakeholders, you will design innovative workflows, oversee budgets, and ensure performance against measurable outcomes while fostering collaboration and continuous

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of full‑time experience in operations management, organizational administration, or related program oversight.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Economic Development, Urban Planning, Economics from a fully accredited institution (master’s preferred depending on candidate background).
• Demonstrated experience in staff operations, strategic planning, program management, program evaluation, and performance monitoring.
• Proven proficiency in data management, metric monitoring, and systems redesign.
• Authentic commitment to economic inclusion, talent cultivation, and small‑business support as core drivers of Birmingham’s economic competitiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal departments, regional partners, business owners, and education/workforce stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day operations, workflows, and staff coordination to ensure high performance and departmental efficiency.
• Evaluate internal processes and design improvements that enhance productivity, data management, metric tracking, and program execution.
• Support strategic planning aligned with IEO’s priorities: talent development, business opportunity, neighborhood development, economic inclusion, and ecosystem growth.
• Oversee performance management and budget processes, ensuring accountability, transparency, and alignment with measurable economic outcomes.
• Strengthen partnerships with internal City departments and external stakeholders.
• Help operationalize strategies that grow Birmingham’s talent pipeline, support W/M/DBE businesses, and implement neighborhood‑level economic development initiatives.
• Coordinate project management, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and feedback loops that inform continuous improvement.

Skills

Operations management

Strategic planning

Program management

Performance monitoring

Data management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Economic Development, Urban Planning, Economics

Master's degree preferred

Job description

City of Birmingham is seeking a Deputy Director for the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity to lead workforce strategies, business growth, and inclusive economic development. The role focuses on talent development, neighborhood revitalization, and data‑driven program management.

Working with the Mayor’s Office and stakeholders, you will design innovative workflows, oversee budgets, and ensure performance against measurable outcomes while fostering collaboration and continuous