Assistant Director, Economic Development
Apply NowCompany: City of Savannah, GA
Location: Savannah, GA 31419
Description:
Salary : $89,796.00 Annually
Location : 801 E. Gwinnett St. Savannah, GA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2502420
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 03/18/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Purpose
Are you looking for a career with purpose, with an opportunity to lead a great team?
Then we are looking for you!
Click Apply and join the Economic Development Team of the
City of Savannah as our new Assistant Director.
We offer great pay, and excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, employee referral program, home purchase assistance and 12 paid holidays!
Women, Minorities, and Veterans Are Encouraged to Apply!
Assists in the direction and management of the functions of the Economic Development department. This position assists in developing and coordinating programs that help revitalize distressed commercial corridors, support business creation and expansion, address barriers to economic growth, and support a fair and diverse local economy for all.
Essential Job Functions
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business or Public Administration, or a related field (Master's Degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in business development, redevelopment, small and minority business development and municipal incentive programs or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSBackground investigation, including supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES
MINIMUM STANDARDS:
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Director assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. Work is reviewed through meetings, reports, spot-checks, and observation of department activities.
GUIDELINES: Guidelines include City of Savannah policies and procedures, state laws, and city ordinances. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.
COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied administrative, supervisory, and public management duties. The need for accuracy, compliance with regulations, and working on multiple projects simultaneously contributes to the position's complexity.
SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to assist in the management and directing of each division within the department, and work to assist in creating programs that build capacity for business and our residents alike. Successful performance in this position contributes to a stronger economic foundation for our business community and improves the quality of life for area residents.
PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with developers, property owners, real estate professionals, business representatives, representatives of banks and other lending institutions, representatives of state and federal agencies, and members of the general public
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, negotiate and settle matters, and justify decisions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts objects and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office, classroom, public, and in the field.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This position has supervision over assigned staff.
CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Overview of Benefits
Paid Holiday
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
Retirement Seminars
PPO Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Health & Wellness Incentives
Long Term Disability
Excellence and Service Recognition
Employee Development and In-Service Training
Educational Assistance Program
Uniform Allowance (select positions)
Employee Assistance Program
Discounts and Memberships
Employee Relations
Direct Deposit
Credit Union
Pretax Parking Deductions
Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Healthcare
PPO Medical Plus Plan
PPO Medical Basic Plan
Dental Plus Plan
Dental Basic Plan
Vision Service Plan
Life Insurance
Basic Life and ADD
Supplemental Life Employee
Supplemental Life Spouse
Supplemental Life Child
Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.
01
Do you have a valid Driver's License?
02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in Economics, or Business / Public Administration?
03
Do you have 5 years of related experience in business development, redevelopment, and small and minority business development?
04
Describe your experience in working with or leading an economic development department. What was your greatest success? What was your most impactful learning opportunity?
05
Please describe your experience with writing and/or managing grants.
06
Describe business programs you have developed and tell us if it was successful. How did you measure success?
07
Describe your experience in working with resident groups. What was the project, and the engagement steps you followed?
Required Question
Location : 801 E. Gwinnett St. Savannah, GA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2502420
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 03/18/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Purpose
Are you looking for a career with purpose, with an opportunity to lead a great team?
Then we are looking for you!
Click Apply and join the Economic Development Team of the
City of Savannah as our new Assistant Director.
We offer great pay, and excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, employee referral program, home purchase assistance and 12 paid holidays!
Women, Minorities, and Veterans Are Encouraged to Apply!
Assists in the direction and management of the functions of the Economic Development department. This position assists in developing and coordinating programs that help revitalize distressed commercial corridors, support business creation and expansion, address barriers to economic growth, and support a fair and diverse local economy for all.
Essential Job Functions
- Assists with managing, directing, training, and evaluating all department staff; processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
- Assists in implementing and assessing department programs, services, and performance for ensured compliance with any federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards as well as the city and department policies and procedures that may need to adhere to.
- Assists with managing the departmental and program budget(s) as well as any grants the department may have for successful execution and reporting in compliance with the grantor's terms.
- Assesses business and community needs develops and executes strategies to gain insight, designs and delivers relevant training opportunities while monitoring effectiveness to ensure delivery of high-quality services to increase individual and organizational capacity.
- Assists with the coordination, assignment, and review of work and performance of staff; maintains standards; monitors the status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions and gives advice and direction as may be needed.
- Prepares, reviews, and edits departmental reports, presentations, publications, announcements, and other documents to ensure the delivery of accurate, high-quality outputs.
- Participates in city, community, governmental, business, and neighborhood meetings as well as serves on boards, committees, and/or collaboratives where relevant that help build capacity for providing services and resources to residents/business community.
- Assists in developing and implementing a variety of plans, projects, programs, initiatives, and activities that deliver a high degree of economic development services to meet community needs and improve the operational climate for businesses and the quality of life for our residents.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business or Public Administration, or a related field (Master's Degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in business development, redevelopment, small and minority business development and municipal incentive programs or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSBackground investigation, including supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledgeable in neighborhood development and urban redevelopment practices and principles.
- Knowledgeable in data management and analysis
- Knowledgeable in business development principles
- Knowledgeable in asset development and wealth creation
- Knowledgeable of local, state, and federal laws/regulations and city policies
- Knowledgeable of the city's budgetary process and procedures
- The ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.
- Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
- Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.
- Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
- Skill in oral presentation and written communication.
MINIMUM STANDARDS:
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Director assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. Work is reviewed through meetings, reports, spot-checks, and observation of department activities.
GUIDELINES: Guidelines include City of Savannah policies and procedures, state laws, and city ordinances. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.
COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied administrative, supervisory, and public management duties. The need for accuracy, compliance with regulations, and working on multiple projects simultaneously contributes to the position's complexity.
SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to assist in the management and directing of each division within the department, and work to assist in creating programs that build capacity for business and our residents alike. Successful performance in this position contributes to a stronger economic foundation for our business community and improves the quality of life for area residents.
PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with developers, property owners, real estate professionals, business representatives, representatives of banks and other lending institutions, representatives of state and federal agencies, and members of the general public
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, negotiate and settle matters, and justify decisions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts objects and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office, classroom, public, and in the field.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This position has supervision over assigned staff.
CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Overview of Benefits
Paid Holiday
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
Retirement Seminars
PPO Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Health & Wellness Incentives
Long Term Disability
Excellence and Service Recognition
Employee Development and In-Service Training
Educational Assistance Program
Uniform Allowance (select positions)
Employee Assistance Program
Discounts and Memberships
Employee Relations
Direct Deposit
Credit Union
Pretax Parking Deductions
Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Healthcare
PPO Medical Plus Plan
PPO Medical Basic Plan
Dental Plus Plan
Dental Basic Plan
Vision Service Plan
Life Insurance
Basic Life and ADD
Supplemental Life Employee
Supplemental Life Spouse
Supplemental Life Child
Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.
01
Do you have a valid Driver's License?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in Economics, or Business / Public Administration?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have 5 years of related experience in business development, redevelopment, and small and minority business development?
- Yes
- No
04
Describe your experience in working with or leading an economic development department. What was your greatest success? What was your most impactful learning opportunity?
05
Please describe your experience with writing and/or managing grants.
06
Describe business programs you have developed and tell us if it was successful. How did you measure success?
07
Describe your experience in working with resident groups. What was the project, and the engagement steps you followed?
Required Question