CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
CLASS SPECIFICATION
POSITION TITLE: Economic Development Director
REPORTS TO: City Manager
SALARY: $90,000 to $95,000 / Annually (Full-Time)
NATURE OF WORK
The Economic Development Director plans, directs, and implements economic development initiatives for the City of Stone Mountain to promote business growth, redevelopment, tourism, and investment. The position oversees strategic economic development programs, business recruitment and retention efforts, redevelopment initiatives, and marketing strategies that strengthen the City’s economic base.
This position also provides staff support and operational oversight for the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and supervises the Tourism/Main Street Manager to ensure coordination of tourism, downtown revitalization, and Main Street program initiatives.
The Director serves as a key advisor to the City Manager on economic development matters and works collaboratively with local, regional, and state partners to advance economic opportunities for the community.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – CITY RESPPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are representative of the work required for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Develops and implements short-term and long-term economic development strategies that promote sustainable growth, redevelopment, and job creation within the City.
- Directs business recruitment, expansion, and retention efforts; engages developers, investors, and businesses regarding potential projects and opportunities in the City.
- Identifies redevelopment opportunities and prepares strategies to support commercial investment, adaptive reuse, and redevelopment of underutilized properties.
- Develops and manages economic development incentive programs and partnership initiatives designed to attract and retain businesses.
- Prepares and implements marketing and branding strategies to promote the City as a destination for business investment, tourism, and redevelopment.
- Coordinates with property owners, developers, and investors regarding site selection and development opportunities.
- Maintains an inventory of available commercial sites and buildings and tracks business development activity within the City.
- Establishes partnerships with regional and state organizations to advance economic development initiatives.
- Works with organizations such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, and local chambers of commerce on business attraction and development opportunities.
- Assists businesses and developers in connecting with City departments, including Planning, for guidance on permitting, business licensing, incentives, and redevelopment programs.
- Prepares economic development reports, project analyses, and recommendations for the City Manager and City Council.
- Represents the City at economic development meetings, industry events, and community functions.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serves as staff liaison and provides operational support to the Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority.
- Assists the DDA with strategic planning initiatives focused on downtown redevelopment and economic vitality.
- Coordinates and prepares meeting agendas, reports, and supporting documentation for DDA meetings.
- Implements programs and projects approved by the DDA Board to support downtown revitalization.
- Oversees the Downtown Development Authority’s grant programs for local businesses, reviews applications, ensures compliance with grant requirements, and provides recommendations to support effective use of funding.
- Coordinates downtown redevelopment initiatives, including property redevelopment strategies, business recruitment, and investment opportunities.
- Assists the DDA in identifying grant opportunities, redevelopment tools, and financing mechanisms that support downtown projects.
- Supports the DDA in developing partnerships with property owners, investors, and community stakeholders.
- Monitors and reports on downtown economic activity, redevelopment projects, and program outcomes.
MAIN STREET PROGRAM & TOURISM RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervises the Tourism Manager and coordinates initiatives that support downtown economic vitality, tourism, and community engagement.
- Provides leadership and strategic oversight for the City’s participation in the Georgia Main Street Program.
- Ensures compliance with Main Street program requirements, reporting, and program standards.
- Supports the development of tourism initiatives, marketing campaigns, and promotional events that increase visitation and economic activity in downtown.
- Coordinates branding, marketing, and promotional strategies that align tourism and economic development goals.
- Works collaboratively with community organizations, tourism partners, and local businesses to enhance the visitor experience.
- Monitors tourism-related programs, events, and marketing activities to ensure alignment with the City’s economic development objectives.
ADMINISTATION AND LEADERSHIP
- Provides advice and recommendations to the City Manager on economic development policy, projects, and initiatives.
- Oversees the budgets for the Downtown Development Authority and the Visitor Center special fund, ensuring expenditures align with approved appropriations and supporting effective allocation of resources for downtown and tourism initiatives.
- Supervises assigned personnel, including hiring, training, directing, and evaluating staff performance.
- Develops policies, procedures, and operational strategies for economic development programs and initiatives.
- Attends City Council meetings and other public meetings as needed and presents reports or recommendations.
- Participates in professional development activities, conferences, and training related to economic development and downtown revitalization.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Economic Development, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Preferred: Master’s degree in public administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Economic Development, or related graduate degree is preferred.
Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, downtown development, redevelopment, planning, or municipal administration is preferred, including experience working with development authorities, downtown revitalization programs, or tourism initiatives.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of economic development strategies, redevelopment tools, and business attraction techniques.
- Knowledge of municipal government operations and public-private partnership development.
- Knowledge of downtown revitalization programs and Main Street initiatives.
- Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with businesses, developers, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
- Ability to analyze economic trends and evaluate development opportunities.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requires light physical activity, including prolonged sitting and standing; walking throughout City facilities and the community; occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of light materials; frequent use of hands and fingers for handling documents and operating computers and office equipment; repetitive motion; and sufficient visual, hearing, and mental acuity to analyze data, communicate effectively, and perform detailed work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is performed in an office and community-based environment that requires responsiveness to changing priorities, multiple concurrent projects, and frequent interaction with City staff, businesses, boards, commissions, and the public. Some night and weekends are required as needed.
To apply: Interested candidates may email a resume to sames@stonemountaincity.org or can deliver resume to City of Stone Mountain, c/o Personnel Director, 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. This position is open until it is filled. The City of Stone Mountain is an equal opportunity employer.