To view a recruitment brochure for the Assistant Director of Economic Development position for the City of San Antonio please visit:
https://www.sanantonio.gov/hr/careercenter#13706899-executive

The first application review will take place on October 16th, 2024. For consideration, please apply before this review date by sending your resume and cover letter to: saexecsearch@sanantonio.gov

The anticipated offer to a selected candidate would be in the range of $120,000 - $160,000. Offered salary is commensurate with experience.

About San Antonio

The City of San Antonio is the Nation’s 7th largest city and is home to more than 1.5 million residents. Located in South Central Texas, approximately 140 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, San Antonio offers its residents one of the most attractive and affordable lifestyles in the country. Residents enjoy one of the lowest tax rates in the State as well as a plentiful supply of high-quality housing and low utility rates. The economy of San Antonio is an excellent mix of business services, manufacturing, health care, communications, corporate and regional offices, government, and the convention and tourism industry. San Antonio is also home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the United States. One of the nation's fastest growing cities, San Antonio is rich in recreational and cultural opportunities with over 15,000 acres of public parks and 150 miles of trails, over 50 museums and galleries, and home to the San Antonio Spurs. The Historic San Antonio Missions are Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage site and is a UNESCO designated Creative City of Gastronomy.

City Government

San Antonio has a Council-Manager form of government with an eleven-member City Council. Councilmembers are elected by District, while the Mayor is elected at-large. The term of office for the Mayor and all members of the City are two-year terms, for not more than four (4) full terms of office. The City Council appoints the City Manager, who appoints all officials in executive positions except for the City Clerk, City Internal Auditor, Presiding Judge, and Municipal Judges.

The City of San Antonio has been recognized for its high level of professional management by Forbes, the ICMA and National Civic League, amongst others. The City has been recognized by national rating agencies as one of the best financially managed cities in the country. The Fiscal Year 2024 adopted operating budget is $3.7 billion with close to13,000 employees across nearly 40 departments. The City has made a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

About the Department

The mission of the Economic Development Department is to foster economic growth through collaboration and innovation for the continued prosperity of our community.

The City’s Economic Development Department (EDD) seeks to promote inclusive growth through strategic investments and public-private partnerships. San Antonio’s City Council also accepted a five-year Economic Development Strategic Framework in October 2022. The Framework serves to align the City’s policy initiatives towards building a more resilient local economy and raising San Antonio’s competitiveness for capital and investment. Through informed policies and strategic investments, EDD intends to craft an economic reality that fosters community-wide, equitable growth.
EDD has five distinct, yet interconnected areas of focus: Administration and Operations, Industry, Small Business, Community Vitality, and Global Engagement. Each of our focus areas play a critical role in growing San Antonio’s economy.

The Administrative and Operations team offers intra- and inter-departmental support services to maximize the performance of the department, with a goal of being the highest performing department. It is comprised of the Marketing & Communications, Research & Intelligence, Contract Compliance, Fiscal, and Central Support Teams. These units offer comprehensive support for our customers and the department.

The Small Business team supports the creation and growth of small businesses and promotes their success through implementation of various programs and initiatives that assist all types of business owners, whether they are at the ideation, startup, or growth phase. These programs focus on providing access to capital, business consulting, education, mentorship, and expanding opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned (S/M/WBE) businesses.

The Industry Development team oversees the creation and implementation of strategic policies and programs that are focused on supporting high-wage jobs in our major industries. Industry Development also manages the administration of the City’s economic development incentive programs, which help position San Antonio as a key market and competitor for industrial investment, and also facilitates innovation-centric entrepreneurship.

The Community Vitality team focuses on accelerating place-based real estate development projects that create quality spaces for new jobs and investment in San Antonio’s regional centers and neighborhood economic nodes. This support team also provides staff support to the San Antonio Economic Development Corporation (SAEDC).

The Global Engagement team plans and orchestrates many inbound and outbound initiatives focused on prioritizing metros across the globe for investment, expanding San Antonio residents’ access to the world, and elevating San Antonio’s reputation globally. Our city’s international strategy is a multi-faceted approach that includes business, diplomacy, culture, and education. The Global Engagement team provides lead City support for trade missions and international delegations and manages a highly successful and internationally recognized Sister Cities program.

The Position

The Assistant Economic Development Director will oversee the Strategic Development portfolio, which includes the Small Business, Industry Development, and Community Vitality teams. The Assistant Director is responsible for assisting the Director in planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the Economic Development Department including small business outreach and ecosystem support, community vitality, business recruitment, retention, and expansion, budget and financial operations, development, contract monitoring and compliance, coordination and collaboration with community economic development partners, development of policies and guidelines, marketing activities, and implementation of the strategic framework. The Assistant Director interfaces directly with the Mayor and City Council members as well as with senior representatives of both public institutions and private sector businesses on community and economic development projects and related activities. The Assistant Director will be instrumental in the continued implementation of the Economic Development Department's strategic framework. This position exercises direct supervision over assigned staff.

Essential Job Functions

• Exercises management responsibility for domestic and global business recruitment, retention, and expansion activities, under the Department's purview. Recommends and administers all related policies and procedures.

• Assists in managing the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establishes, within City policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; and allocates resources accordingly.

• Assists in monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; and identifies opportunities for improvement and assists in directing the implementation of changes.

• Assists in acting as official departmental representative to other City departments, City Manager's Office, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.

• Assists in selecting, motivating, and evaluating department staff; provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies; and assists in implementing and administering disciplinary and termination procedures.

• Assists in planning, directing, and coordinating through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.

• Assists in managing and participating in the development and administration of the department budget; estimates funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and assists in directing the monitoring and approval of expenditures; and directing the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments as necessary.

• Assists with any strategic planning efforts and provides leadership in the development of new programs, resources, and tools as it relates to the implementation of the strategic framework.

• Assists in coordinating departmental activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provides staff assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Managers, and City Council; and assists in preparing and presenting staff reports and other necessary communications.

• Attends City Council meetings and takes necessary action regarding Council agenda items.

• Directs the research, analysis, and preparation of complex studies or reports related to current or long-range economic development and employment issues.

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Business Administration, Finance, Economic Development, Urban Studies, or a related field. They will also have Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development administration, including three (3) years of supervisory responsibility. Certified Economic Developer or Economic Development Finance Professional credentials are desired. The most highly qualified candidates for consideration will be selected based on a combination of education, career experience, and accomplishments that best fits the needs of the City of San Antonio.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have an extensive background in economic development and public sector management with proven and successful experience in problem solving and program development. Ideal candidates must have knowledge and experience with small business, business recruitment, retention, and expansion, as well as community vitality. Previous experience with budget development and general program implementation is also desired. They must also have the ability to skillfully establish partnerships and positive relations with a variety of stakeholders which may include outside businesses and organizations, City Council, employees, and the community at large. Ideal candidates must also possess strong leadership characteristics who will need to engage, inspire, and mentor assigned staff and other City employees. The ability to communicate messages and presentations skillfully and effectively in a clear and concise manner is critical to be successful in this position.

Salary

An expected salary for an ideal candidate would be in the range of $120,000 - $160,000. The City of San Antonio will be offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The City also offers generous benefits and retirement including annual and personal leave, executive car allowance, deferred compensation plan, relocation/moving expenses, and participation in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).

How to Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a cover letter, resume, references, and salary requirements to:

saexecsearch@sanantonio.gov

The first resume review date will take place on October 16th, 2024. To ensure you are considered for this role please apply prior to the resume review date and submit your application as soon as possible. This position is open until filled. Upon receipt, resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted by the City of San Antonio’s executive recruiter.

For additional information please contact:
Jeff Baldwin, Executive Recruiter
City of San Antonio
Human Resources Department
saexecsearch@sanantonio.gov
Phone: (210) 207-7939

Please note: Under the Texas Public Information Act, information from your resume may be subject to public disclosure. The City of San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.