Director of Economic Development

General Statement of Duties:  Performing difficult professional and administrative work in planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and supervising the City's economic development efforts; performs Economic Development activities with the County of Washington County and other related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class:  The work of this class involves planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the economic development activities of the City.  The work is performed under the general direction of the City Manager, and is reviewed for results obtained and consistency with City policies through reports and conferences.  Supervision is exercised over the economic development staff.

All economic development efforts in this position will center on the City’s Strategic four areas of focus:

• Economic Vitality
• Quality of Place
• Future Ready Infrastructure
• Excellence in City Government

Essential Functions:

• Perform highly responsible managerial and administrative work in the coordination, organization, and direction of City Economic Development programs and services.
• Implement targeted plans and programs that integrate multiple platforms to influence and build relationships with prospects, consultants, company decision makers, and media information sources.
• Proactively identify and address community business climate issues.
• Provide research and information, and/or technology support needed to execute the approved plans and programs.
• Align efforts by working with local, regional, state, and federal economic development agencies and other groups to coordinate efforts for supporting current businesses and identify opportunities to develop new businesses in the City, while avoiding duplication of services.
• By working with Communications and Marketing and Development Services:

• Create and provide relevant information to existing and potential businesses while establishing and strengthening relationships with local businesses.
• Support current and future efforts of the City’s Development Services department
• Provide information and outreach to existing businesses regarding the availability of assistance including project management assistance, supporting grant efforts and financing programs.
• Create and provide detailed and targeted responses to business leads
• Utilize GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and a variety of other resources related to developing, writing, producing, updating, and designing marketing and promotional materials for attracting new business as well as encouraging current business retention and expansion.
• Identify service or location deficiencies which hinder economic development; and develop strategies to eliminate or mitigate those deficiencies.

• Serve as liaison to other governmental agencies, university entities, neighborhoods, and community/non-profit economic development groups.
• Must foster innovation, critical thinking, and creativity in developing new approaches and solutions to meet the demands of a growing and vibrant City.
• Participate with departments and community partners in the growth and development plans of the City to ensure current/future availability of appropriate resources to meet growth demands and to ensure provision of optimum services.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, municipal officials and the public.

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible Economic Development experience or equivalent education and experience as determined.

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Johnson City is the largest city in the Northeast Tennessee Region with a population of 71,275, and the Northeast Tennessee Tri-Cities area has a combined statistical area population 510,400. The city spans 43 square miles and is the eighth-largest city in Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the scenic Appalachian Mountains in Washington County, this thriving urban community has consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best and most popular small metro areas boasting an affordable cost of living, no state income tax, and outstanding schools, parks, sports, and fitness facilities. The city is directly accessible from interstates 26 and 81 and is a short drive to access commercial air service at the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI).

Johnson City provides a full service municipality providing public works, public safety, parks and recreation, planning, transit/school transportation, water, wastewater, and solid waste services.  These services are provided by over 1,000 full- and part-time employees with an additional 150-200 temporary seasonal employees. The City’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget (which includes the City School budget) is approximately $322.7 million.

Johnson City is the home of East Tennessee State University, which has a current enrollment of approximately 15,000 students.  The City operates under the Commission-Manager form of government with a Mayor and four City Commissioners.  The City Manager is appointed by a five-member City Commission.

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• City of Johnson City, TN

• 423-434-5972