What are the responsibilities and job description for the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGER position at City of Surprise, AZ?
Do you have a heart for community, a mind for business, and a passion for helping entrepreneurs spark their success? The City of Surprise Economic Development Department is igniting something special, and we’re looking for a dynamic Economic Development Project Manager to lead our brand-new Spark Surprise Business Development Hub, located in the heart of our growing, walkable downtown on Elm Street!
As the lead for this exciting new program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to build and grow a center that connects local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and innovators with the tools, mentorship, and energy they need to thrive. Spark Surprise will serve as the city’s front door for business services and a place where ideas take root, partnerships form, and new ventures light up the community.
This position plays a key role within the City’s Economic Development team. Working hand-in-hand with the City of Surprise, the role incorporates local and regional partners to foster an ecosystem that celebrates innovation, creativity, and economic growth. If you’re inspired by entrepreneurship, energized by community impact, and ready to help write the next great chapter in Surprise’s downtown story, we invite you to apply today!
SUMMARY
The Economic Development Project Manager position is the primary department dealmaker, connecting the City of Surprise with the external real estate development, brokerage, and business community. The position manages, plans and evaluates the department project pipeline quality and quantity as well as administers complex projects and programs that support the City's retail, commercial and industrial base. This position continuously calculates the optimal integration of initiatives that have potential to drive project attraction to the community, including innovation, workforce development, development of public facilities and infrastructure, small business development initiatives, and/or other economic development, redevelopment, or capital improvement programs or projects. The Incumbent takes a proactive role in analyzing trends and economic markets, developing strong working relationships with key industry leaders, negotiating complex agreements, and conducting sales presentations and prospect tours. Responsibilities include evaluating projects on a cost/benefit basis; evaluating and processing rezoning, design review, and use permit requests for projects within the downtown area; preparing reports on economic development activities for administrative, advisory boards, and City Council decision-making; soliciting development proposals from private development companies; and negotiating development agreements and contracts with private developers. Work is either oriented towards short-term or multi-year projects.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in economic development, economics, finance, marketing, planning, or a related field; and five years of project management experience in economic development and/or marketing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the job description. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Arizona Driver License.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants whose education, training, and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a panel interview.
- Fingerprinting
- Criminal Background screening
- Drug Screen
- E-Verify
- 39 Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
The City of Surprise is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer.
The City of Surprise offers a broad range of inclusive employee benefits to help employees in their work and personal lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides our employees with competitive compensation, generous benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance for our diverse workforce. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, retirement, and a variety of work/life programs, including generous paid time off and twelve holidays. For additional benefit information,