Director Community Economic Development

Director of Community & Economic Development

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time

The Director of Community & Economic Development is a key member of the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) leadership team and is responsible for advancing community and economic development throughout GRADD’s seven-county service area. The Director serves as a trusted resource and strategic partner to local governments, elected officials, businesses, community organizations, regional partners, and state and federal agencies.

This position connects communities with expertise, partnerships, and funding; helps local leaders turn ideas into workable projects; and supports efforts that strengthen economic opportunity, infrastructure, services, quality of life, and long-term regional resilience. The successful candidate will be an experienced, practical, relationship-oriented professional who is comfortable taking initiative, solving problems, working with a wide range of people, and seeing projects through from concept to implementation.

· Lead and support regional economic and community development initiatives that strengthen business growth, investment, entrepreneurship, workforce opportunities, community vitality, and long-term economic resilience.

· Work with local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, businesses and industries, utilities, educational institutions, workforce partners, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to identify and advance opportunities.

· Assist communities with business and industry recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts, as appropriate.

· Provide technical assistance and strategic guidance to local governments and community partners as they address development challenges and pursue priority projects.

· Assist communities in planning and implementing projects involving infrastructure, housing, public facilities, services, quality of life, and economic opportunity.

· Help communities develop strategic plans, needs assessments, feasibility studies, community development strategies, and other planning documents.

· Facilitate collaboration among public, private, nonprofit, educational, and community partners and help move shared priorities toward action.

· Monitor regional, state, and national trends and identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and potential responses.

· Identify and evaluate federal, state, foundation, and other funding opportunities that align with GRADD and regional priorities.

· Lead or assist with grant applications, funding proposals, and related project development.

· Work with communities and partners to identify appropriate funding sources and develop competitive applications.

· Assist with project scopes, budgets, timelines, performance measures, supporting documentation, and other requirements associated with funding applications.

· Monitor grant-funded projects for compliance with applicable requirements and funding conditions.

· Stay current on relevant funding programs and communicate timely opportunities, requirements, and changes to GRADD leadership and regional partners.

· Identify regional needs and opportunities and help translate them into practical strategies, projects, and initiatives.

· Support the development and implementation of GRADD’s regional goals, objectives, programs, and strategic priorities.

· Lead or participate in regional studies, planning initiatives, task forces, committees, and special projects.

· Research, collect, and interpret demographic, economic, community, and other relevant information to support sound decision-making.

· Evaluate initiatives and recommend improvements based on results, changing conditions, and stakeholder needs.

· Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, project summaries, and recommendations for GRADD leadership, boards, local governments, and community partners.

· Serve as a visible and credible representative of GRADD and build strong, productive relationships throughout the region.

· Develop and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, local government administrators, business and community leaders, educators, workforce professionals, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal partners.

· Work closely with the Executive Director and other GRADD leaders to coordinate services, strengthen partnerships, and advance organizational priorities.

· Provide leadership, guidance, coaching, and professional development to assigned staff while establishing clear expectations and accountability.

· Convene partners around shared challenges and opportunities and facilitate productive discussions that lead to practical next steps.

· Represent GRADD at meetings, conferences, community events, workshops, and regional and statewide forums.

· Communicate complex economic and community development issues clearly and effectively to both professional and public audiences.

· Develop department goals, objectives, work plans, and performance measures in coordination with the Executive Director.

· Assist with department budget development and management and monitor expenditures.

· Maintain accurate project files, records, reports, grant documentation, and other required information.

· Ensure department activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and GRADD policies.

· Participate in organizational planning, leadership and staff meetings, professional development, and other activities that support GRADD’s effectiveness.

· Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.