Economic Development Manager

The role of the Economic Development Manager is to plan, organize, and help direct activities to enhance economic development in the City of Kirkland. This position is responsible for the development, recommendation and implementation of policies, programs, and procedures that accomplish the City Council's goals and objectives to ensure the economic health and vitality of the City. The Economic Development Manager will take an active role in working collaboratively with internal staff and external stakeholders to solve problems and build the vibrancy of the local economy.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This position serves as the City liaison to the business community and oversees economic development initiatives. The Economic Development Manager represents the City Manager's Office and works closely with staff across departments to best support the business sector.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, organizes, helps direct, and evaluates economic development activities within the City; coordinating and encouraging the development of strategies that maintain and enhance the long-term economic vitality of the City.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with local businesses, developers, Chambers of Commerce, private consultants, resident groups, community service organizations, state and local jurisdictions, and others.
• Serves as a resource for the public, including developers, property owners, and community organizations. Facilitates decisions and problem resolution, negotiates, and resolves significant and controversial issues, and assists with the permit process where needed. Facilitates the completion of required procedural documentation to effectuate project completion.
• Provides technical expertise and responds to complex questions; resolves conflicts; acts as a facilitator between the development community and City staff; communicates with City leadership regarding policy issues and matters of mutual concern.
• Develops and implements short- and long-term economic development strategies, special projects, public/private partnerships for development, and business assistance programs for existing and prospective business.
• Responsible for the overall marketing and business recruitment and retention programs for the City.
• Work with real estate consultants and financial advisors, negotiates for the acquisition/disposition or lease of properties needed for economic development projects. Meets with affected property owners in potential economic development areas to assess and coordinate the City's economic development efforts.
• Secures economic development grants and other funding opportunities, and develops partnerships with institutions and the private sector.
• Researches, analyzes, and reports on economic and market trends.
• Recommends adjustments in programs, activities, policies, and procedures to further economic development.
• Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates, and disciplines assigned staff. Assigns tasks, distributes workload, and provides staff with economic development strategies and implementation methods. Provides direction and support to staff in their performance of their tasks, and reviews work products for quality and accuracy.
• Implements the Sustainability Strategic Plan as it relates to economic development, including developing organizational-wide policies and practices around sustainable development and economic policy.
• Develops and manages the City's tourism program. Provides staff support to the Tourism Development Committee.
• Prepares recommended budget for assigned programs and/or ensures that program budget adheres to approved budget.
• Prepares specifications and scopes of work for request for proposals (RFPs) and request for qualifications (RFQs); negotiates, prepares, and administers contracts for consultants, vendors, and contractors,
• Coordinates goals and strategies and develops cooperative working relationships with the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, Kirkland Downtown Association, and other business groups.
• Develops, implements, and participates in special business community events to promote business development and vitality.
• Provides staff and management support to assigned boards and commissions, including preparation of monthly agenda packets, staff reports, grant applications, and other related staff work.
• Prepares reports, memorandums, and presentation materials in response to Council inquiries, business/resident requests, and others as needed.
• Provides City representation to State and regional economic development agencies and business groups representing key business clusters in Kirkland.
• Works with higher education institutions to identify and address gaps in workforce training for Kirkland residents.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

• Serves as staff liaison and ombuds to the business community. Investigates and follows up on resident requests for service and complaints; facilitates efficient business and City relationships.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Responsible for developing measurable implementation plans that achieve the City's economic development initiatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Roadmap.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and fearless innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional providers, available at a discount. New employees gain access to Kirkland's reserved spots as soon as they start employment. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing it's employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

• Considerable knowledge of modern principles and practices of economic development.
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of economic development programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of real estate practices, management, organization, and legal practices pertaining to real-estate, right-of-way, acquisition, and relocation; survey laws, land transaction methods, title records and instruments; growth management and SEPA.
• Knowledge of economic analysis techniques related to market, feasibility, and impact studies.
• Knowledge of grant research and preparation.
• Ability to analyze and develop policies related to economic development and tourism.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate, facilitate, and build consensus.
• Experience in supervising employees, including hiring, evaluating, and disciplining.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory bodies, the business community, department heads, employees, the media, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action or present alternative solutions.
• Ability to prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally, through presentations, and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, public or business administration, marketing, real estate, law, urban planning, or related field.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in economic or real estate development, including managing large, complex projects such as downtown revitalization or redevelopment.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Supervisory experience is preferred.
• Master's degree and related certification are preferred.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment, public contact is extensive and frequent; this position frequently requires attendance at off-site meetings outside of regular office hours. Some field site visits required, which are performed outdoors in all weather conditions. Position may be exposed to conditions and hazards from obstacles, heights and open trenches associated with construction sites.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be made by 15th day from original post date.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.