Chief Development Officer

The Position City of Santa Rosa - Planning & Economic Development Department
is seeking a
CHIEF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA IS HIRING FOR A CHIEF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER IN THE PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. THIS IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE SEEKING TO APPLY THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN A DYNAMIC CAREER PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICES TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY!

(Classification: Deputy Director - Economic Development)

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT:
In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice of health plans, a flexible spending program, employer contributions to a Retiree Health Savings plan, and top of the line employer paid vision and dental coverage. More information regarding benefits associated with this position can be found in the Unit 18 MOU and on our Miscellaneous Employee Benefits Page.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE: Flexible schedule (9/80) available with management approval 11 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 'floating holidays' per year depending on hire date and years of service. $500 annually for wellness WORKING FOR SANTA ROSA PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
The Economic Development Division focuses on three key pillars: Business Growth, Economic Vibrancy and Resiliency, and Community Investment. With the recent adoption of a five-year strategic plan, the Division is charged with implementing strategies in support of City Council's economic and community vibrancy goal of creating a diverse and thriving economy that benefits Santa Rosa residents and businesses. While the main focus revolves around welcoming new and innovative businesses, workforce retention, and expansion; its objectives include community investment, infrastructure, and opportunity access. The strategic plan is rooted in sustainable, economic resiliency and encompasses a community engagement perspective and local and regional economic development alignment. The Division supports and assists local businesses through a variety of programs and activities which aim to enhance and sustain economic vibrancy for the Santa Rosa community. In addition, the Division is the primary liaison with local and regional Chambers of Commerce and other regional business groups and manages the Santa Rosa Tourism Business Improvement Area assessment ordinance and Special Event and Public Art programs, which celebrate the unique and vibrant culture Santa Rosa has to offer.


ABOUT THE POSITION: The Chief Economic Development Officer is responsible for the management of multiple operational sections within the Economic Development Division and the implementation of the Economic Development five-year strategic plan. The Chief Economic Development Officer's role encompasses managing, planning, developing, leading, and directing Division staff and programs and is often involved in projects and programs that involve a high level of contact with City Council, boards and commissions, the business community, and other stakeholders on topics involving political complexity and sensitivity. The position requires a strategic mindset and an ability to foster a collaborative environment to achieve the goals that propel our city's economic development forward.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: The successful candidate will be a self-driven professional, with the ability to establish and strengthen a wide variety of work relationships. We are looking for excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging presentation abilities, and experience in effectively leading, building, and evaluating team members. In addition, the ideal candidate will have:
The ability to successfully advocate for change. Organizational and interpersonal skills to manage staff members and teams. Progressively responsible supervisory or professional experience in a governmental economic development program, or a financial or development organization, where assignments were directly related to the program area. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, urban studies, community development, economics, or a related field. A master's degree is highly desirable. HOW TO APPLY: Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process that may consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews.



ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Debbie Gutman at Examples of Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Some of the responsibilities of an Chief Economic Development Officer may include the following duties and responsibilities.

Direct and participate in the development and implementation of the City's economic development and tourism and assigned portfolio goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the execution of strategic, short and long range planning and programmatic framework to achieve City economic development and tourism strategies and programs Serve as liaison between the City and business/community representatives Plan, organize, direct and coordinate partnership and contracted programming with business and community organizations, particularly the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber and the Economic Development Board Develop and implement business attraction, retention and expansion programs and efforts Participate in regional Economic Development programs and opportunities Lead City attraction efforts of targeted businesses Oversee the City's local pride, visitor and destination brand marketing programs in coordination with and/or consideration of the Santa Rosa Tourism Business Improvement Area Ordinance and other local tourism programs Manage Santa Rosa Tourism Business Assessment program and other contracts and grants Confer with and make presentations to representatives of other City departments, governmental agencies, policy boards, and a variety of business and community organizations Serve on or act as an ex officio member on boards, task forces, and/or other such committees that are directly related to and benefit the City's economic development goals and priorities Lead and/or participate in the creation or modification of visioning documents, area plans, specific plans, corridor plans and other long-range planning efforts with an eye toward implementing Council priorities, Economic Development strategies and the General Plan Assist representatives of business, real estate, and the development community in working with the City Maintain an economic development technology strategy for online and social media outreach Provide leadership and serve as a subject area expert on economic development matters, providing technical advice to other departments and the business community Work with qualified developers to develop public-private partnerships and/or Development Agreements and/or incentive programs in coordination with other City departments/divisions Research, analyze, interpret, and prepare studies and reports on a variety of economic and demographic data, including labor market trends and other regional economic planning issues Negotiate, review, analyze and administer complex leases, agreements, options, and deeds Prepare, review, and evaluate Requests for Qualifications/Proposals, contracts and scopes of work for economic feasibility, planning and design work Negotiate with developers, land use attorneys, and financiers to facilitate and expedite economic development projects and real property land use Prepare reports and recommendations, and make presentations to the City Council, Economic Development and Downtown Subcommittees, and other boards and commissions as required Oversee City's Public Art and Special Events programs Serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Director Select, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff; Prepare and administer annual division budget and revenue Respond to and resolve inquiries and complaints from the public related to area of assignment Evaluate the effectiveness of current systems and procedures; and Perform related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Knowledge of : State, federal and local laws and ordinances relating to the area of assignment; principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, program management and contract administration; economic research and analysis techniques; negotiating techniques; basic construction methods and terminology and construction financing techniques; principles, practices and techniques related to business financing, business expansion or location decisions, employment development, and marketing and promotion as related to tourism and economic development activities; revenue analysis and scheduling methods; and principles and practices of effective supervision and performance management.

Ability to : Develop, implement, and administer a variety of economic development related programs; read, analyze, interpret, and explain complex economic development and financial documents, laws, rules, and regulations and make sound recommendations; prepare and analyze studies and communicate findings of these studies in an understandable manner; communicate effectively in one-to-one and public speaking situations and with the media; address and mediate conflicts between people or within groups; produce and communicate effectively in written documents using proper grammar, punctuation and spelling; gather and analyze a variety of complex data; prepare and monitor contracts, budgets, and revenue; negotiate fair and appropriate leases and financing packages; negotiate and analyze real estate transactions; develop and maintain effective working relationships with other City staff, representatives of governmental, business, financial, community, and other organizations, and with clients served, including in situations with a high degree of complexity, controversy and public visibility; plan, direct, and supervise the work of assigned staff; analyze, interpret and explain City-wide and department polices to departments and the public; enter data into a terminal or computer using a keyboard device; sit for extended periods of time with the ability to move at will.


Experience and Education :
Any combination that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience - Sufficient years of progressively responsible experience of a supervisory or professional nature in a governmental economic development program, or a financial or development organization where assignments were directly related to the program area to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.

Education - Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, urban studies, community development, economics or a related field. A master's degree is highly desirable.

License/Certification - Possession of a valid, Class C, California Driver License, or be able to demonstrate the ability to travel on scheduled or unscheduled visits to various locations within and/or outside of the City which may or may not be reachable by public transportation.
Additional Information The Selection Process 1. Required Qualifications Screen Applications and responses to the Supplemental Questions will be reviewed to determine if the above required qualifications have been met on a Pass/Fail basis.



2. Application Appraisal
Candidates meeting the required qualifications will have the answers to their Supplemental Questions rated by a panel of subject matter experts, to determine those most qualified to move forward in the selection process. Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, generic responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process.

3. Department Interviews Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.

SANTA ROSA - A WONDERFUL CITY TO CALL HOME: The City of Santa Rosa is nestled in the center of famous Sonoma Wine Country, located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa serves as the County seat and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.

The City of Santa Rosa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring. You may also contact the Human Resources Department at or .

In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits.


This job classification is in Unit 18, Miscellaneous Mid Management. Please click HERE to be redirected to the City's benefits information page.