Description
DEFINITION
To plan, direct, manage, and oversee the operations, staff, and financial resources of the Economic Vitality Office (EVO) within the Village Manager Department and coordinate organizational implementation of the Village’s strategic vision for sustaining and advancing the economic vitality of Oak Park. Represent the Village Manager as the Organizational Goal leader for Economic Vitality and contribute subject-matter expertise, leadership, and advice on the delivery of current, innovative, and professionally-recognized economic development practices to achieve Organizational priorities. Collaboratively and strategically perform directly a variety of economic development responsibilities to assist with retaining and growing local businesses and attracting new investments, consistent with the Village’s vision for economic vitality and specific goals and priorities for business, workforce, and real-estate development. Facilitate organizational and external engagement to maintain current and, form new alliances for effective coordination and delivery of economic vitality programs and services across the Village enterprise and in partnership with the community. Continuously seek and identify opportunities to accelerate economic growth in the most cost-effective, equitable, and sustainable manner feasible while striving to maximize positive community impact. Define and continuously monitor indicators to assess and communicate with transparency on the status of the local economy. Define and continuously monitor metrics to evaluate and report on the implementation status of the Village’s Economic Vitality Strategy. Facilitate civic participation and education on policies, initiatives, events, activities and various other relevant matters impacting the vitality of the local economy.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general administrative direction from the Village Manager.
Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES--Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential duties and responsibilities
1. Provide organizational leadership to facilitate implementation of the Village’s economic vitality strategic plan, goals, priorities, initiatives, and projects in collaboration with Village departments; community, governmental, institutional, and private partners; and, various stakeholders, specifically including but not limited to real-estate developers and brokers, property owners, business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs;
2. Lead and manage development and delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of economic development policies, programs, initiatives, projects and service activities to support sustainable, equitable, and fiscally responsible growth of the village’s tax base, consistent with the Village’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan;
3. Lead and manage implementation of business and real estate development policies, programs, practices, and activities including but not limited to:
Conceptualizing, initiating, and coordinating business and/or real estate development projects with varying levels of complexity and scale;
Development-incentive policy administration;
Negotiating and monitoring implementation of development agreements;
Economic/market/business research and data/analytic insights;
Strategic promotion of Village investment opportunities;
Relationship-building and developing community partnerships;
Local, regional, and statewide collaboration on economic development;
Intergovernmental and public-private partnerships;
Facilitating strategic investments in economic development focus areas (commercial corridors, business districts, key development sites, etc.);
Administration of real estate acquisition and disposition policies;
Communication with existing and prospective property owners, tenants, and business owners to anticipate, assess, and resolve issues related to business occupancy in Oak Park and attracting new investment;
Small business and entrepreneurship assistance;
Women, minority, and disadvantaged business assistance;
Business and developer resource navigation and technical assistance;
Targeted business attraction and recruitment;
Promoting and supporting arts, culture, filming, and special events;
Strategic partnerships with medical anchors and educational institutions;
Performing other areas of the Village’s comprehensive Economic Vitality Program assigned by the Village Manager;
4. Lead and manage a comprehensive promotional marketing for the Village in collaboration with the Village’s Office of Communication and Engagement, other Village departments, and related community partners to continuously and strategically promote and maintain a positive image of the Village;
5. Lead and coordinate community engagement and educational forums on matters concerning EVO policy, programs, projects, services, emergent issues, and the status of economic vitality of the village;
6. Lead, coordinate, and oversee the performance of the Village’s Economic Vitality Team (consisting of department leaders from the Village Manager, Development Services, Neighborhood Services, Public Works, Finance, and Law departments) and its collaborative workplan activities;
7. Maintain and build relationships with the business and development communities of Oak Park and cultivate relationships with these communities outside of Oak Park in alignment with the Village’s strategic economic vitality interests;
8. Serve as liaison and coordinate the activities of assigned boards, commissions, and committees of the Village;
9. Lead and manage intergovernmental relations and represent the Village on external boards as directed for the advancement of economic vitality goals and priorities;
10. Provide administrative oversight of the Economic Vitality Village Goal and related projects and initiatives and support to ensure effective and timely implementation;
11. Maintain effective organizational and public communication on EVO programs, services, data, and other related content, ensuring quality and timely production and updating of content with all media channels;
12. Select, train, motivate and evaluate EVO personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures;
13. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the EVO budget; forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary;
14. Explain, justify and defend Economic Vitality programs, policies, and activities;
15. Negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues;
16. Coordinate EVO activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations;
17. Prepare written materials as needed and within established Village guidelines and deadlines to present to the Board of Trustees;
18. Prepare and conduct oral presentations representing the Village’s interests with Village Board members and staff, community leaders and groups, professional conferences and workshops, and various other forums as needed:
19. Possess complete integrity and exemplify professional and personal characteristics of impeccable behavior which meet the highest standards; and,
20. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive economic development and community development administration program.
Principles and practices of real estate and business development, including local, state and federal development incentive programs and practices.
Principles and practices of inclusive economic development including but no limited to polices, programs, and practices that support small, women, minority, and disadvantage business enterprises.
The real estate and business development community, promoting real estate and business development programs through personal contacts with existing and potential businesses, property owners, real estate developers and brokers, and business and development associations and organizations; and, relevant trade associations.
Principles and practices of promotional marketing.
Methods, programs, procedures and techniques for promoting and assisting local or small businesses, property owners, investors and real estate developers.
Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations related to local or small businesses and real estate investment and development.
Effective communication strategies to get the proper message to a variety of business and non- business audiences.
Methods and procedures for conducting business-related research for loans, grants, and other resources for promoting and assisting local or small businesses;
Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint; General concepts related to business attraction, retention, and expansion programs; Business marketing plans and techniques;
Methods for conducting analyses of business market and financial data using business and financial software and business analytical tools.
Advanced principles and practices of community and economic development. Management skills to analyze programs, policies and operational needs.
Principles and practices of program development and administration.
Principles and practices of effective project management.
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration. Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff
Principles and practices of planning and zoning.
Select, supervise, train and evaluate a diverse workforce.
Delegate authority and responsibility.
Lead and direct the operations, services and activities of the EVO as a part of a dynamic, sophisticated organization in an urbanized environment and doing so diplomatically, effectively managing stressful situations, and projecting a demeanor of calm leadership.
Effectively demonstrate and set the clear expectation of providing excellent service to all constituents.
Identify and respond to community and Village Board issues, concerns and needs.
Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
Interact with neighborhood organizations and other stakeholders in a constructive, cooperative and supportive manner while effectively representing the Village’s interests.
Oversee the research, analysis and evaluation of new methods, programs, procedures and techniques for promoting and assisting local businesses;
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Use office computers and software applicable to the position;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including Village and other government officials, the business community, neighborhood community groups, and the general public.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
Attend evening and weekend meetings as needed.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Establish and maintain interpersonal skills in the workplace to effectively communicate and interact with others.
Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.
Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
— Making observations
— Communicating with others
— Reading and writing
— Operating assigned equipment.
Sustain cognitive abilities that enable the potential for:
— Making sound decisions
— Demonstrating intellectual capabilities.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Experience: Eight years of extensive, progressively responsible management experience in community and economic development related to the job requirements; AND
Training: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, public policy/administration, business administration or related discipline. A Master’s degree is desirable.
License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain an IEDC certification is desirable.