What are the responsibilities and job description for the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR position at City of San Marcos, CA?
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Be part of a city delivering real economic impact - now hiring: Economic Development & Public Affairs Director!
The City of San Marcos is seeking an Economic Development & Public Affairs Director to lead economic development efforts that drive investment and deliver measurable results for the community.
Why this role matters
Economic development in San Marcos is guided by data, strategy, and a focus on measurable outcomes. With a Strategic Economic Development Plan underway, this role is central to ensuring that priorities are implemented effectively and produce meaningful outcomes for the community.
You will lead the execution of the city’s economic development strategy by using market data, industry analysis, and fiscal insight to guide decisions, attract targeted investment, and move projects forward. Working across departments, you will help ensure development opportunities progress with clarity, coordination, and momentum.
This role is defined by implementation and impact. Success is reflected in measurable outcomes, including job creation, tax base growth, and strategic development aligned with community priorities.
This Is Your Chance To:
Advance measurable economic progress
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a central role in advancing the city’s economic priorities by shaping conditions that support business growth, investment, and redevelopment aligned with the city’s priorities.
The Outcomes Associated With This Work Include:
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director must be highly effective at working within a municipal system to move projects forward.
Key Experience Includes:
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a key role in translating the city’s economic development strategy into actionable priorities and real-world progress. This includes both implementing the current strategic plan and adapting it over time based on market conditions, opportunities, and city priorities.
Key Responsibilities In This Area Include:
Effective economic development requires the ability to use data and market insight to guide priorities, evaluate opportunities, and support sound decision-making.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working with a range of analytical inputs, including:
Effective economic development requires clear visibility into development activity, progress, and emerging opportunities.
Key Responsibilities Include:
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director builds and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with developers, business leaders, and regional partners, and leverages those relationships to support successful development outcomes.
The city is committed to providing high-quality, responsive support to development partners, helping them navigate city processes clearly and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Economic development should support the city’s long-term vision, quality of life, and community character.
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director ensures that development efforts are aligned with Council priorities and reflect the values of the community.
Key Considerations Include:
Review the job description for the Economic Development & Public Affairs Director for a full listing of the representative duties and qualifications.
Be part of a city delivering real economic impact - now hiring: Economic Development & Public Affairs Director!
The City of San Marcos is seeking an Economic Development & Public Affairs Director to lead economic development efforts that drive investment and deliver measurable results for the community.
Why this role matters
Economic development in San Marcos is guided by data, strategy, and a focus on measurable outcomes. With a Strategic Economic Development Plan underway, this role is central to ensuring that priorities are implemented effectively and produce meaningful outcomes for the community.
You will lead the execution of the city’s economic development strategy by using market data, industry analysis, and fiscal insight to guide decisions, attract targeted investment, and move projects forward. Working across departments, you will help ensure development opportunities progress with clarity, coordination, and momentum.
This role is defined by implementation and impact. Success is reflected in measurable outcomes, including job creation, tax base growth, and strategic development aligned with community priorities.
This Is Your Chance To:
- Turn economic development strategy into measurable results
- Shape and advance a strong pipeline of development and business opportunities
- Use data and market intelligence to guide high-impact decisions
- Partner across the organization to move projects efficiently from concept to completion
- Deliver visible outcomes that strengthen the city’s long-term economic future
- Applications accepted through 4:00 p.m. April 30
- Well-qualified applicants will be invited to a panel interview the week of May 11
- Final candidates will meet with city leadership the week of May 18
Advance measurable economic progress
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a central role in advancing the city’s economic priorities by shaping conditions that support business growth, investment, and redevelopment aligned with the city’s priorities.
The Outcomes Associated With This Work Include:
- Job creation and retention within the community
- Growth and diversification of the city’s tax base
- Attraction and expansion of targeted industries
- Activation and development of key sites
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director must be highly effective at working within a municipal system to move projects forward.
Key Experience Includes:
- Building strong, trust-based relationships across Planning, Development Services, Finance, and city leadership
- Understanding and navigating internal processes, constraints, and competing priorities
- Identifying and resolving barriers that may delay or prevent development projects
- Facilitating coordination across departments to ensure development projects aligned with city priorities are moved efficiently from concept to completion
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a key role in translating the city’s economic development strategy into actionable priorities and real-world progress. This includes both implementing the current strategic plan and adapting it over time based on market conditions, opportunities, and city priorities.
Key Responsibilities In This Area Include:
- Translating strategic priorities into clear initiatives, workplans, and near-term actions
- Coordinating across departments to advance priority projects and initiatives
- Aligning development activity with the city’s broader economic goals and community vision
- Identifying opportunities to refine or evolve the strategy based on emerging trends and project experience
Effective economic development requires the ability to use data and market insight to guide priorities, evaluate opportunities, and support sound decision-making.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working with a range of analytical inputs, including:
- Market and industry trends
- Labor force and demographic data
- Fiscal and economic impact analyses
Effective economic development requires clear visibility into development activity, progress, and emerging opportunities.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Establishing clear and practical metrics to track development activity, project pipelines, and progress over time
- Monitoring key projects and initiatives, including status, milestones, and potential economic impacts
- Providing regular, concise updates to leadership and stakeholders that highlight progress, key developments, and what’s ahead
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director builds and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with developers, business leaders, and regional partners, and leverages those relationships to support successful development outcomes.
The city is committed to providing high-quality, responsive support to development partners, helping them navigate city processes clearly and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with developers, brokers, business leaders, and industry partners
- Serving as a key point of coordination and support for development projects, helping stakeholders navigate city processes and requirements
- Partnering closely with Development Services and other departments to align efforts and facilitate successful project outcomes
- Supporting problem-solving and coordination across stakeholders to keep projects moving forward
Economic development should support the city’s long-term vision, quality of life, and community character.
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director ensures that development efforts are aligned with Council priorities and reflect the values of the community.
Key Considerations Include:
- Strengthening the local economy and supporting existing and new businesses
- Expanding workforce and economic opportunities for residents
- Maintaining community character while supporting thoughtful growth and innovation
Review the job description for the Economic Development & Public Affairs Director for a full listing of the representative duties and qualifications.