City of Virginia Beach, VA Director of Economic Development

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking a highly ethical visionary charismatic and results-oriented Director of Economic Development to champion a new complex era of growth fueled by strategic redevelopment and aggressive business attraction. This is a unique high-impact opportunity to inherit a highly functioning well-funded department with strong operational Deputy Directors and staff while guiding the City through a pivotal expansion phase.

The next Director will serve as the Citys chief economic strategist and global ambassador translating the City Councils vision for growth into tangible job creation and capital investment.

The Director reports directly to a Deputy City Manager and works in a strong collaborative relationship with City leadership and external partners. The Director will lead a dedicated team of 20 professionals including two strong and extremely capable Deputy Directors who manage the day-to-day operations and internal portfolios.

If you are a seasoned leader with a strong moral compass and the political acumen to foster consensus among diverse stakeholders from the tourism industry and defense contractors to the City Council and the Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) this challenge is for you.

Priorities

• Build trust and strong working relationships with the VBDA City Council and the business community.
• Update and implement the Citys Economic Development Strategic Plan.
• Represent Virginia Beach as a dynamic ambassador for business attraction and investment both nationally and internationally.
• Partner with the Convention & Visitors Bureau to align tourism resort development defense and agriculture as key drivers of the local economy.
• Strengthen regional collaboration with partners such as the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and state agencies to advance shared economic prosperity.
• Lead and empower the Economic Development team by filling vacancies mentoring emerging leaders and promoting a collaborative high-performing culture.

The Successful Candidate

The next Director will be a strategic thinker who also has both the technical skills and knowledge to lead when the City is considering investments and evaluating various deal terms and components of economic development agreements opportunities and partnerships. Additionally the next Director will be a relationship-driven leader with the ability to develop and maintain collaborative external relationships which are essential for guiding Virginia Beach through its next chapter of growth.

This individual will have a proven record of success in redevelopment and business attraction with the ability to navigate complex projects involving zoning incentives and partnerships. They will understand the nuances of both greenfield and redevelopment opportunities with the insight to translate Virginia Beachs assets its industrial expansion ITA redevelopment area and diverse economic base into tangible outcomes for residents and businesses.

As an excellent communicator and credible advocate the successful candidate will be comfortable representing the City on regional state national and international stages. They will build bridges between the City the business community and partners such as the VBDA City Council and the Convention & Visitors Bureau ensuring tourism defense and agriculture are aligned as shared drivers of economic prosperity.

Internally the Director will foster a culture of accountability collaboration and excellence. They will mentor and empower staff fill key vacancies and champion professional growth to position the department as one of the most respected and effective in the region.

Above all the successful candidate will be a forward-thinking strategist someone who can honor Virginia Beachs strengths while shaping a bold economic vision for its future.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include a masters degree in business administration public administration marketing economics or a related program and six years of management/leadership experience; or a higher-level education and experience equivalent to twelve years in the field including five years of higher-level program management or administrator experience.

The preferred candidate will have diverse experience and knowledge of economic development focused on capital investment workforce development/job creation incentives entrepreneurial and business startups business accelerators public-private partnerships business administration and economics.

Inside the Organization

The City of Virginia Beach exists to enhance the economic educational social and physical quality of the community and provide valued sustainable municipal services. The City is led by the City Manager in a Council-Manager form of government inclusive of ten Council Members and the Mayor. The Citys organizational values guide member performance and define the culture. These values include quality customer service teamwork leadership and learning integrity commitment inclusion and diversity.

The City of Virginia Beach employs over 7000 City employees and the Citys operating budget is $2.5 Billion. The average employee tenure is 10 years.

The City earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index three years in a row; and is among the best municipalities across the country for lesbian gay bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ) equality according to the national civil rights organization the Human Rights Campaign.

The City of Virginia Beach has also won two awards from the Center for Digital Government as part of its sixth annual Government Experience Awards program which recognizes how states cities and counties are using technology to deliver exceptional citizen experiences.

Inside the Department

The ED Director oversees the strategic direction daily operations and financial integrity of the department an accredited organization with a significant $4.7 million budget and a staff of 20 including two satellite offices in Europe. Reporting directly to the Deputy City Manager for Economic Vitality this appointed position serves as the primary staff resource and technical consultant to the VBDA driving their mission to attract and retain national and international businesses.

The Community

As the largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a population of 460000 it is also the 43rd largest city in the nation. Virginia Beach has a thriving tourism industry with a wide variety of hotels and attractions including the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Virginia Beach Sports Center skate parks and annual festivals.

Virginia Beachs economy is diverse and growing. The cost of doing business in Virginia Beach is well below the national average thanks in large part to low City and state tax rates competitive wages and transportation infrastructure that provides businesses access to more than two-thirds of the U.S. population within a two-day drive. The Citys business community is renowned for its highly diverse collection of industries including a strong presence of the defense industry in the region and its growth in the high-tech business sector. Our strategic location combined with local incentives and workforce will continue to support the industrys growth.

• 4th Hardest-Working City in America Wallet Hub (2022)
• Recognized as one of the best-managed cities in America
• Best Large City for Veterans to Live USA Today
• One of Americas Most Literate Cities The Huffington Post/CCSU
• AAA-rating from all three bond rating agencies (for 13 straight years)
• Nationally Acclaimed Public Schools
• 38 miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean & Chesapeake Bay
• 23000 acres of farmland and agriculture is the Citys third-largest industry generating more than $170 million in economic impact
• 265 parks covering more than 4000 acres
• 7 public recreation centers and 10 public libraries
• Low crime rate
  

Compensation and Benefits

The salary is commensurate with experience with a target range between $180000 - $220000. The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health dental and life insurance retirement and savings plans holidays and annual/sick leave. Executive benefits include five additional days of administrative leave per year and a $6000/yr car allowance. To review the benefits brochure please click here.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applicant submittals occurring by November 10 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Pamela Wideman at and Kelsey Batt at .

Download the Recruitment Brochure

Required Experience:

Director