What are the responsibilities and job description for the Economic Development Supervisor position at City of Kalamazoo, MI?
The Economic Development Supervisor leads the implementation of Kalamazoo's comprehensive city-wide economic development strategy. Serving as the primary liaison to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board, this role collaborates with the board to align efforts across City staff, businesses, and community partners, ensuring the successful execution of economic activities and incentives that support the four key goal areas of the strategy and foster equitable development throughout the city. The supervisor also oversees the Business Retention and Expansion program,economic business incentives, monitors and evaluates business grant funds, and cultivates relationships with key stakeholders in the economic ecosystem. This position supervises the economic development team and reports to the Director of Community Planning & Economic Development.
Examples of Duties
- Coordinate economic development workflow with the Director, including overseeing, monitoring, and implementing economic projects, programs, and the Economic Development Strategy.
- Supervise the economic development team, aligning strategic objectives with daily operations to promote collaboration, engagement, and professional excellence.
- Develop and maintain professional working relationships with local agencies, developers, private consultants, citizen groups, community service organizations, and other stakeholders to retain and recruit businesses and economic development to the City.
- Serve as liaison between the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) boards and City staff, overseeing operations and board management tasks such as preparing meeting agendas, taking minutes, providing updates, budget management, and other important communications.
- Supports professionals and businesses with business related real estate activities, including property transactions, developer selection, and negotiations. Prepares or coordinates documents such as conveyances, deeds, agreements, and permits.
- Works closely with Planning staff to assist with business incentive programs and tax abatements to facilitate business growth and development within the City.
- Manage and oversee grant proposals, contracts, agreements, and programs, such as Business Development Funds and Match on Main grants, to support business expansion within the City.
- Conduct economic analyses of programs and projects, using data to advocate for business interests and demonstrate the value of city-led economic initiatives.
- Maintains an accurate contact database and tracks project status in Salesforce to ensure effective customer relationship management.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Urban/City Planning, Public Administration, or related field
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in economic development, urban development, municipal planning, or related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in project management, grant management, board management, or related experience.
- Previous team supervision experience.
- Strong organizational skills and excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to effectively and positively communicate with the public and all staff within the organization.
- Demonstrates a sense of excellence, prioritizes well, attentive to detail, shows engagement, responds to opportunities, instills positivity in others, and meets deadlines.
The City of Kalamazoo offers competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, group life insurance, long and short-term disability, paid time off, a defined benefits pension plan, a 457 deferred compensation plan, and a retirement health care savings plan (HCSP). Benefits vary based on the bargaining unit of a position.
The City of Kalamazoo also operates a convenient health clinic that is open to employees, retirees, and their families and provides routine medical services and prescriptions.
The benefits for this position fall within the City of Kalamazoo Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) employee group.
For a summary of City of Kalamazoo benefits in NBU positions, please visit our website: www.kalamazoocity.org/benefits
Please note: these benefits are subject to change.
