Job Description

Salary: $72,280.00 - $115,606.40 Annually
Location: DelRay Beach, FL 33444
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 02852
Department: City Manager
Division: 12-000 City Manager
Closing Date: 5/29/2026 4:00 PM Eastern

Veterans' Preference Applies

EEO Statement
The City of Delray Beach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability, marital status, family status or sexual orientation in employment or the provision of services

Non-Smoking
The City of Delray Beach is a Non-Tobacco Workplace. The City will not consider applicants who have used tobacco or nicotine products for a period of at least three months prior to application for employment. The definition of "tobacco or nicotine products" includes but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, snuff, e-cigarettes and nicotine patches or gum.

Under general direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Economic Development Manager plans and implements business and economic development programs and strategies for the City with particular emphasis on the downtown and other business corridors within the City and manages special projects on behalf of the Office of the City Manager.  Duties Include establishing and implementing business attraction and retention strategies, incentive programs, marketing, small business development and assistance, workforce development, establishing and maintaining relationships with the business and other related communities, and other related projects as assigned.    Work is performed at a highly professional level with a high degree of independence and initiative. 

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Essential Job Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
 

General:

• Work with the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee, City government and elected officials; and all appropriate County and State agencies to formulate, recommend and carry out policies relative to business development, retention and enhancement strategies and programs within the City.
• Coordinate with other agencies and organizations such as the Business Development Board, CareerSource, etc. on regional economic development activities as well as working with other appropriate government agencies, bankers, real estate and commercial brokers. Acts as a liaison to facilitate productive interactions with the City of Delray Beach.
• Work with the Chamber of Commerce, DDA, CRA and other similar organizations when appropriate to further the Community’s economic development goals.
• Prepare reports and make appropriate status presentations to CRA, DDA, Chamber of Commerce, City and others, as necessary.
• Compile databases and relevant planning and economic information regarding housing, retail, industrial, and office development activity, vacant space, city-owned properties, and available properties.
• Direct the implementation of any economic development programs/plans of the City.

Business Recruiting, Retention and Expansion:

• Meet, confer and provide detailed information to new businesses contemplating a relocation or expansion into Delray Beach
• Assist private developers and business owners with site planning, zoning, platting, variances, incentives and other regulatory issues associated with redevelopment and economic development.
• Represent the City with outside agencies, private developers, and other interested parties.
• Meet, confer and provide detailed information to new businesses contemplating a relocation or expansion into Delray Beach.

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development:

• Develop strategies to attract entrepreneurs and promote the development of innovation-oriented companies in Delray Beach
• Assist local small businesses in understanding the City’s procurement process and registering as a City vendor.
• Participate with other public and private entities on the creation of business incubation programs
• Counsel those seeking to start or grow their small business within the City. This is to include assistance in understanding the development process if looking to open or grow a physical location in the City or identifying other resources to assist with initiation or growth plans.

Economic Development Marketing and Attraction:

• Create and implement strategies/programs to Identifying the community competitive advantages, target industries, identify prospects, and use available tools to market the City and attract new businesses.
• Serve as a resource for the public, including the development community, businesses, property owners, community organizations and make public presentations to help educate local residents, the business community, and City of Delray Beach staff about the benefits of a planned economic development effort.
• Respond to inquiries regarding economic data, trends and resources such as industrial and commercial development opportunities.
• Assist in the writing of new zoning regulations as conditions change in the development environment.
• Prepare developer and tenant real estate packages, including Requests for Proposals that provide site information, demographics, photographs, surveys, environmental information, and more to use in attracting tenants and developers.

Other Responsibilities:  

• Write, justify and budget for annual requests for City funding to support Delray’s economic development marketing plans and overall economic development efforts.
• Review financial data submitted in relation to development or public-private partnership proposals utilizing City properties.  
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Perform all functions and responsibilities according to the, Palm Beach County Code of Ethics and Florida State Statutes 112.313.
• Fosters positive employee relations and employee morale on a City-wide basis.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, economics, marketing, urban planning, finance or related field.  
• Master’s Degree desirable.
• IEDC Certified Economic Developer Designation desirable but not required.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in economic development, community development or redevelopment activities in the public or private sector, or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Requires demonstrated ability to utilize personal computer and office software such as MS Word, MS Excel and electronic mail.  

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: knowledge of effective principles, practices, methods, and techniques of municipal economic development; knowledge of business concerns, needs, practices, and markets and relocation need and initiatives; knowledge of the principles of planning and zoning. knowledge of real estate development and sales; knowledge of the City's long-range plans and needs for improvement of the economic base; thorough knowledge of private sector financing and incentive strategies. Excellent communication skills - ability to prepare and present professional oral and written reports and recommendations following necessary research and investigation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City and other governmental officials and private sector executives and business representatives. Ability to operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties. Ability to manage and prioritize routine, specialized and complex assignments and problems. Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully in oral and written form.  Ability to make presentations to various audiences.   Ability to adapt to an evolving and continually improving environment.   Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.

The abilities expected of all employees include being able to respond to supervision, guidance and direction of superiors in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies, be appropriately groomed and attired so as to present a professional image in accordance with the organization's mission, goals, and policies; report for work promptly and properly prepared at the time and place required by the assignment or orders; notify the appropriate supervisor of intended absences in accordance with stated rules; conform with standards and rules regarding use of accrued time; demonstrate a polite, helpful and courteous manner when engaged in any activity with the public; operate and care for equipment to manufacturer's specifications and/or within the specified parameters; demonstrate an understanding, consideration, and respect of cultural, religious, and gender differences when interacting with the public and colleagues.