Executive Director of Helotes Economic Development Corporation

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Helotes Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is a Type B corporation. It was established under Section 4B of the Texas Development Corporation Act of 1979.

The Executive Director of the Helotes Economic Development Corporation (HEDC or EDC) performs a variety of administrative technical and professional work in the preparation and implementation of economic and community development plans programs and services. This full-time position reports to the Helotes Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and is responsible for working closely with the City of Helotes Administrator and staff and Helotes City Council Members in promoting the economic and community development interests within Helotes. This position also manages the Business Center which provides executive office suites for rent to entrepreneurs and companies.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develops and presents the HEDC Annual Budget and proposed projects to the Board of Directors and to City Council for approval. Provides monthly reports to the EDC Board and City Council.
• Develops and implement the HEDC Strategic Plan consistent with community goals and Board direction.
• Identifies evaluates and pursues projects and opportunities that foster new business development creation of new jobs and economic diversification.
• Negotiates agreements contracts and development incentives in compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Coordinates a business retention program that promotes the expansion and retention of local businesses.
• Manages all operations of the Helotes Business Center. Operations include onboarding and offboarding of small business tenants negotiating lease terms establishing payment method contract management and ensuring the services as well as facility allow the small business tenants to operate effectively.
• Plans manages and executes economic development projects including infrastructure improvements business incentives and property development.
• Contacts and markets the community to outside agencies and enterprises. (i.e. private investors developers commercial brokers/realtors etc.); conducts tours of commercial sites and available facilities; gathers business related data and demographics.
• Manages preparations for monthly EDC Board meetings special board meeting(s) and strategic planning as well as meeting follow-up.
• Develops and implements projects recommendations economic analyses incentive analysis and proposes policy changes for consideration by the EDC Board of Directors in keeping with Board directives the EDCs Articles Bylaws and Mission in keeping with the City State and Federal laws as applicable.
• Monitors and manages financial performance of the EDC. Manages the organizations budget upwards of $2 million for operational needs plus reserves. Provides analysis of revenue and expenses to anticipate and propose changes/alterations in the EDCs best interest.
• Assists in the development and management of the EDC budget including all contracts; accounts payable accounts receivable and the preparation of financial statements; and maintains a cash flow projection.
• Acts as a primary liaison with City Administrators Office other City departments and community partners on behalf of EDC.
• Collaborates with City staff and leadership for strategies planning and is an active member of the Development Review Team.
• Provides information and/or makes presentations to boards city council civic groups businesses individuals and the general public on economic development issues programs services and plans.
• Builds and maintains relationships with city staff elected officials local businesses chambers of commerce educational institutions and regional partners.
• Networks and build relationships with the business community. Works to recruit new businesses to Helotes.
• Collaborates with other outside resources organizations and commercial real estate representatives to attract new businesses and to assist with expansion of existing businesses.
• Negotiates vendor contracts for service with the approval of the EDC Board and monitors contract compliance.
• Ensures that orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.
• Manages the development and oversight of the HEDC and Visit Helotes websites; including design and content.
• Develops integrated marketing strategies and manages the execution of brand marketing activities.
• Creates selects and prepares content for digital media across all platforms (e.g. online websites Facebook Instagram).
• Content development for videos press releases and printed marketing material.
• Partners with the City of Helotes to sponsor and host events.
• Promotes Old Town Helotes as a destination for visitors to Helotes.
• Manages in conjunction with City Secretary and legal counsel the provision of open records request responses.
• Serves as a member of economic development groups or organizations that promote economic and community development at the local or state levels; attends professional development workshops and conferences to stay abreast of and advises the Board on economic trends and development diversification.
• Supervises other HEDC professional staff members.

EDUCATION AND BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Economic Development Economics Public Policy Business or Public Administration Marketing or related field (Masters degree preferred).
• Certified Economic Developer certification (CEcD) or Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) certification preferred but not required.
• Understand the principles and guidelines associated with Type-B EDC operations in Texas.
• Ensures compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act Public Information Act and Local Government Code Chapter 505.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in the field of economic development.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills for project presentations and public speaking.
• Must be energetic imaginative well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively to groups and individuals engineers architects contractors developers businesses employees and the public.
• Ability to establish working relationships with other organizations and economic development practitioners.
• Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C Operators License with an acceptable driving record.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The Director must have significant knowledge skills and/or abilities in:

• City organization operations policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Strong financial and budgeting background.
• Proven and prior experience negotiating developer agreements working in growing communities and creating and accomplishing objectives which benefit taxpayers.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers employees in other City departments outside agencies and the general public with a courteous and professional demeanor.
• Working independently with minimal oversight be a self-starter.
• Bring ideas to the board that further the mission vision and goals of the EDC.
• Desire to immerse oneself in and be part of the community.
• Be available outside of normal working hours when required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work under pressure/stress and under deadlines in order to respond to co-workers EDC Board and the public.
• Must have the ability to sit stand move around bend reach stretch push and pull and remain upright for extended periods of time in one room.
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds unassisted.

Required Experience:

Director