Economic Development Director

"Everything is Better in Person"

Summary Objective

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The starting salary will be determined with consideration given to both the candidate's educational background and relevant work experience.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record per County policy.

This is an exempt position working 37.5 hours weekly/1950 hours annually.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns, and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for prospective industries and businesses exploring location or expansion opportunities; coordinates site visits, arranges meetings with local officials, researches available properties, and facilitates communication throughout construction or facility development. Assesses labor supply and utility capacity and collaborates with partners to support a well-trained, available workforce.
• Develops and implements marketing materials to promote economic development in the County and the City, including brochures, flyers, booklets, advertisements, website updates, videos, and related outreach tools.
• Builds and maintains a network of contacts to identify potential industrial parks and sites; monitors development activity and collaborates with educational institutions, local governments, and other partner agencies.
• Identifies, prepares, and manages grant opportunities to support infrastructure development. Researches, writes, and oversees grant applications and administration; assists with County Government grant efforts, as assigned by the County Manager.
• Maintains regular communication and positive working relationships with state economic development officials, community leaders, and representatives from businesses, agribusinesses and industries of all sizes.
• Maintains up-to-date records and inventories of available sites and buildings and reports changes to state economic development staff. Tracks and organizes data related to labor wages, demographics, economic trends, utilities, retail activity, small business development, building permits, financial indicators, educational resources, and growth announcements.
• Prepares annual budget recommendations for the department and establishes yearly goals and performance objectives.
• Serves as the chief staff officer to the County Economic Development Commission.
• Supports initiatives to strengthen the local economy, including agricultural development efforts, and assists with implementation of action items within the Farmland Preservation Plan.
• Coordinates activities and maintains partnerships with a broad range of local, regional, and state organizations, including the NC Department of Commerce, Research Triangle Reginal Partnership (RTRP), North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA), Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), and others.
• Collaborates with the City of Roxboro to share information related to utilities as a recruitment asset and provides input to guide future utility planning and expansion.
• Keeps City and County leadership informed regarding prospects, projects, and activities involving potential businesses or industries.
• Attends meetings of local and regional economic development organizations and partner groups to support coordinated growth and development efforts.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Planning or related discipline.
• Six (6) years of economic development or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• Prefer Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or North Carolina Certified Economic Developer (NCCED).

Person County conducts pre-employment screening on candidates. Job offers are conditional pending the following:

• A pre-employment drug screen for all candidates. Positions designated by Person County as Safety Sensitive are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• A background check for all candidates. Some positions also require a credit check.
• Additional screening and testing required for some positions.
• Within 3 days of the start of your employment with the County, you must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the US.

Person County Government is an Equal Opportunity/E-Verify Employer