Economic Development Manager chez City of Pleasanton, CA

About the Department

The City of Pleasanton is seeking an experienced and innovative Economic Development Manager to lead efforts that strengthen the City’s economy and enhance its reputation as a premier business destination. This unique role blends strategic leadership with community connection, guiding initiatives that attract, retain, and support local businesses while promoting Pleasanton’s thriving business climate. Serving as both a strategist and representative, the Economic Development Manager will implement the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, partner with business and community leaders, and help shape Pleasanton’s future as a vibrant place to live, work, invest, shop, and play.

We’re Looking For Someone Who is:

• A creative and strategic thinker who takes initiative in developing and implementing programs.
• A strong collaborator, skilled in building relationships with businesses, residents, and community partners.
• An adaptable problem-solver who can manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• A confident communicator who is effective with diverse audiences and across multiple media platforms and settings.

In This Role, You Will:

• Implement the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.
• Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote Pleasanton as a premier business destination.
• Serve as an ombudsman and resource for the local business community.
• Conduct research and analysis on economic trends, sales tax, real estate, and other economic indicators.
• Partner with stakeholders to support business attraction, retention, and growth.

A Few Reasons You’ll Love Working with Us:

• The chance to shape the City’s economic future in a meaningful and visible way.
• Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse and dynamic business community.
• Engaging, creative work that spans a wide variety of industries and initiatives.
• Being part of a supportive organization that values innovation and community impact.

A Few Challenges You Might Face:

• Balancing the diverse needs of businesses across industries, sizes, and stages of growth.
• Anticipating and adapting to an evolving economy and shifting business climate.
• Managing competing priorities while advancing long-term strategic initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be:

• Experienced in economic development program design, administration, and evaluation.
• Skilled at developing partnerships and fostering collaboration across sectors.
• A clear, persuasive communicator with strong public-facing presentation skills.
• Adept at conducting and applying research to inform policy and program decisions.
• A community-focused representative who can represent the City with professionalism and enthusiasm.

Position Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Develop and implement a variety of marketing, promotional, and public relations strategies designed to encourage the retention, expansion, and attraction of new businesses to the community, and promote understanding of economic development goals and related activities.
2. Develop and implement programs and strategies to promote the City as a premier environment for new business and investment.
3. Plan, organize, and implement strategic initiatives involving business attraction, business retention and expansion, workforce development, partnership development, entrepreneurships, and community development. 
4. Develop new program elements and program modifications according to area of assignment; monitor and coordinate operations of economic creation and retention business program areas; perform analytical work, including cost/benefit analyses; and maintain documentation and supporting records and statistics.
5. Provide highly responsible analytical staff support, including conducting specific and/or comprehensive surveys and analyses of a variety of economic development programs.
6. Prepare responses, proposals, and presentations for Requests for Information and provide responsible professional analytical assistance in the development, administration, and implementation of economic development programs.
7. Prepare and make presentations to a variety of groups, including City Council and commissions, governmental and business leaders, local employers, City employees and departments, neighborhood groups and others related to economic development projects and programs; plan and participate in a variety of outreach activities to promote associated activities.
8. Analyze proposed commercial and business projects to determine their financial impact upon the City.
9. Collect, organize, and maintain a variety of information useful to a broad spectrum of businesses and commercial enterprises contemplating locating within the City.
10. Analyze and interpret complex market information, including sales tax revenues, employment, and venture capital trends in order to estimate and promote development opportunities. 
11. Develop, implement, and track economic development efforts and programs to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the City's economic development strategic plan.
12. Assist in the preparation of assigned program and project budgets; prepare budget recommendations relative to assigned development program responsibilities.
13. Prepare grant proposals according to funding source requirements; monitor approved grants to ensure compliance with conditions and regulations; maintain appropriate documentation and records; participate in audits conducted by grant authority.
14. Prepare and administer contracts and negotiate and prepare memoranda of understanding related to various development projects and programs; participate in internal and external committees and staff meetings.
15. Review legislation to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, statutes, and codes that impact economic development initiatives. 
16. Represent the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
17. Establish and maintain close relationships with representatives of Pleasanton’s business and commercial community.
18. Provide assistance and serve as an advocate for businesses and communities to identify and resolve economic development impediments.
19. Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
20. Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
21. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Economics, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. 

Experience:

Four years of progressively responsible experience in the development and implementation of economic development programs.

May require possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of community development, economic development, financing, development review and permitting process, financing and revitalization programs.
2. Techniques and strategies to recruit and retain business and commercial enterprises.
3. Criteria considered by business and commercial enterprises contemplating relocation.
4. State and local resources available to develop and maintain a sound economic base.
5. Local government structure, function, and development-related policies.
6. Structures and programs which result in business development and job creation.
7. Research methods and procedures, including statistical analysis and report writing.
8. Pertinent local, state, and Federal laws, ordinances, and rules.
9. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment, including relevant software programs.
10. Oral and written business communication skills, including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
11. Safe work practices.
12. Principles and practices of excellent customer service.

Skill to:

1. Perform duties of classification with minimal direction.        

1. Read, write, and comprehend language at a level necessary for effective job performance, using correct vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
2. Communicate effectively, tactfully, and positively in both oral and written form.
3. Operate and use modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.
4. Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
5. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.   

Ability to:

1. Perform professional work in the development, administration, and implementation of economic development programs and activities. On an ongoing basis, know, understand, and explain operations; know all requirements and essential aspects of the job; intermittently observe and analyze problems; review, analyze, and interpret documents and information; remember instructions; and communicate tasks or projects to others.
2. Remain in a stationary position at desk, table, or counter for prolonged periods of time; intermittently move around the office while performing work activities and to reach needed items; manipulate and file documents; operate and adjust office equipment; and move or transport weight of 10 pounds or less.  
3. Assess customer needs and provide accurate reference information through the use of appropriate search techniques.
4. Plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of economic development programs.
5. Foster an environment that embraces integrity, service, inclusion, and collaboration.
6. Contribute effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives, and activities.
7. Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
8. Prepare a variety of technical reports; prepare and explain visual presentations related to economic development and development-related issues.
9. Exercise initiative and independent judgment in sensitive situations; interview, research, problem solve, and negotiate.
10. Read, interpret, and apply the City’s specific plan and associated development impact fees. 

Other Qualifications

Application: To be considered for this position, please submit your application through our online application process at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov. Click on “Job Opportunities”.

SELECTION PLAN 
Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the need of the Agency: