Job Description

Director Of Economic Development (U)

Are you a visionary economic leader ready to make a transformative impact in an emerging and dynamic city? The City of San Bernardino is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Economic Development (U) to lead the city's economic growth, attract new business, foster workforce opportunities, and maximize the value of the city's real estate and community assets. This executive-level role offers a unique opportunity to shape the city's economic future while collaborating directly with the City Manager, City Council, and a broad range of community and regional partners. As a future member of our team, you'll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California's Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences continues to inspire the city's evolving identity. San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It's a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

The Economic Development Department is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and opportunity within the City of San Bernardino. Launched in 2024, the Department has rapidly expanded to include 13 talented team members across the Economic Development Division and the Real Property Division.

Key responsibilities include:

• Business Retention & Attraction Developing strategies that support local businesses, generate jobs, and increase General Fund revenue.
• Marketing & Promotion Highlighting the City's assets through campaigns like Invest San Bernardino, social media engagement, and monthly e-newsletters reaching over 6,700 registered businesses.
• Grants & Funding Administering programs that provide critical support to small businesses and nonprofits, awarding over $3 million in funding in the last two rounds.
• Workforce Development Connecting residents to quality local jobs through career pathways, technical assistance, and apprenticeship programs.
• Real Property Management Managing and optimizing City-owned assets, overseeing acquisitions, sales, leases, and strategic partnerships for commercial, industrial, and residential development.

The Department works collaboratively with educational institutions, healthcare providers, businesses, government agencies, regional organizations, and joint power authorities to attract resources and investment to the City.

Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Director of Economic Development (U) is a single-position executive role with broad leadership, policy, and management authority. The Director oversees all economic development programs and initiatives, provides strategic guidance to the City Council, and drives projects that maximize the City's economic potential.

This role is responsible for:

• Shaping and executing economic development strategies that leverage the City's assets and attract new investment.
• Managing real estate portfolios, negotiating agreements, and ensuring the fiscal integrity of development projects.
• Leading grant programs, public-private partnerships, and workforce development initiatives.
• Representing the City in regional, state, and national economic development efforts.
• Supervising, mentoring, and developing a growing team committed to enhancing the City's quality of life and economic vitality.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in municipal economic development, real estate, finance, and workforce initiatives with exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

Challenges & Opportunities: The Director of Economic Development will have the opportunity to shape the future of San Bernardino during a pivotal period of growth and revitalization. Key challenges and opportunities include:

• Driving Strategic Growth: Leading initiatives to attract new industries, expand business retention efforts, and increase General Fund revenue.
• Optimizing City Assets: Managing and leveraging City-owned real estate, including commercial, industrial, and residential properties, for sustainable development.
• Fostering Public-Private Partnerships: Building strong relationships with developers, businesses, regional agencies, and community organizations to secure investments and funding.
• Workforce Development: Expanding programs that connect residents to quality local jobs, including apprenticeships, career pathways, and training opportunities.
• Enhancing the City's Image: Elevating San Bernardino's reputation through marketing campaigns, community engagement, and strategic outreach.
• Navigating Political and Community Dynamics: Advising the City Manager and City Council while balancing diverse stakeholder interests in high-visibility projects.

The City of San Bernardino seeks a visionary, results-driven leader who is ready to make a meaningful impact in a growing city. The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate executive-level experience in economic development, municipal finance, real estate, or redevelopment projects.
• Exhibit strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging City leadership, regional partners, and community stakeholders.
• Be experienced in public-private partnerships, contract negotiation, and grant administration.
• Possess a proven track record in workforce development, business retention, and attraction programs.
• Maintain high integrity and professionalism in complex and politically sensitive environments.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, evolving municipal environment, balancing multiple priorities and initiatives.

A typical day for the Director of Economic Development might include:

• Reviewing project updates from the Real Property and Economic Development teams, ensuring milestones and timelines are being met.
• Meeting with developers, business leaders, or regional agencies to negotiate partnerships or funding agreements.
• Preparing or presenting reports, briefings, and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, or advisory boards.
• Overseeing grant programs and workforce initiatives to ensure residents and businesses are benefiting from City resources.
• Conducting strategic planning sessions with staff to align departmental initiatives with City goals.
• Engaging with the community through public forums, business outreach, or marketing events.
• Monitoring regional and national economic trends to anticipate opportunities or challenges for San Bernardino's growth.

This role is highly visible, dynamic, and mission-drivenperfect for a leader ready to leave a lasting mark on the City's economic and community development landscape.

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in economics, business administration, public administration, or a related field; Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development, redevelopment, oversight, or management of projects and programs in urban economic development, economics, business assistance, public facility or infrastructure development, commercial development, public and/or private finance, workforce development, fiscal planning, budget preparation, and/or economic development tools and incentives, including two (2) years of management experience within a municipal economic development department; or an equivalent combination education, training, and experience. Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development.
• Principles and practices of fiscal planning and managing and administering complex budgets.
• Principles and practices of contract management.
• Market data sources and collection techniques. Research methods and statistical and analytic techniques and applications related to urban growth, economic development, modern transportation, and asset management, including development analysis of specific projects and other areas of responsibility.
• Economic development and general marketing theory, principles, and practices.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of business development programs.
• Real estate negotiation practices.
• Real estate development and public and private sector project financing principles, practices, and techniques.
• Political and economic conditions associated with economic development programs.
• Regional and national business attraction, development, and retention strategies.
• Workforce development programs including career pathways, technical assistance, and trade apprenticeships.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• City human resources policies and labor contract provisions.
• Research methods and analysis techniques.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication.

Skill in:

• Developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Providing administrative, management, and professional leadership.
• Preparing and administering large and complex budgets; allocating limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Interpreting, applying, explaining, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations

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