Director of Economic Development

The Director of Economic Development will be based in RJL's Evansville office and lead economic development projects and support our growing Grants and Strategic Planning Department. The position places considerable emphasis on creativity, initiative, relationship building, communication, expertise in economic development best practices, and consensus building. While the position is expected to be a self-starter it reports to the Senior Director of Planning.

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ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high-level service to the clients and partners of RJL Solutions.
• Provide leadership, direction, and management oversight for the Economic Development division.
• Play a pivotal role in assisting local governments to develop and implement financing strategies to foster economic growth, job creation, and community development.
• Work closely with public officials, community leaders, and stakeholders to provide expert guidance and actionable recommendations.
• Responsible for leading economic development initiatives including successful implementation of client strategic plans related to prospective development, new business recruitment, existing business retention and expansion, workforce development, entrepreneurial development, marketing and research.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks at a given time, self-managing workload with support from peers and supervisor, as needed.
• Analyze and interpret complex data related to demographics, economics, industries, real estate, housing and finance.
• Synthesize data with qualitative research (interviews, surveys, focus groups, client comments) to arrive at findings.
• Maintain confidentiality related to economic development strategies, prospective clients, business development and contractual obligations of RJL clients.
• Prepare written summaries that are meaningful and digestible to a non-technical audience, rooted in solid strategic thinking.
• Prepare and give engaging presentations to appointed/elected officials and stakeholders; facilitate community workshops/engagement sessions.
• Conduct financial analysis, including economic and fiscal impact analysis, pro forma projections, etc.
• Research and analyze local, state, and federal legislation, rules, regulations, programs, grants, business incentives, and guidelines regarding economic development matters. Prepare recommendations, goals, and policies for consideration by management, clients, and business leaders.
• Formulate, recommend, and implement business outreach programs for business attraction, retention and expansion. Build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with business leaders, state officials, regional and local development partners, and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, political science, business management, public policy or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in economic development with a local government, economic development agency, consulting, or a combination of experience and education in a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and establish clear and measurable objectives while prioritizing and organizing a varied workload.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification is preferred.

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PREFERRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban, regional, transportation and community planning and/or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience using data and data tools to drive decisions in innovative directions.
• Analytical abilities required to collect, integrate, and interpret data from various sources, to produce information and reports, and to develop, evaluate, and present planning information and analysis.
• Strong organization and time management skills and ability to prioritize and manage a high volume of detailed work with conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Public speaking skills necessary to effectively interact with committees, governmental bodies, the general public, and outside organizations to successfully and accurately present information.