City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Director, Economic Development

Under general direction of the Director of Economic Development, this position is accountable for assisting the Director of Economic Development to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Economic Development department. Directs personnel involved in providing programmatic, financial, and managerial support for the department. 

1. Oversees and ensures all activities are carried out in compliance with department policy; and Local, State, and Federal regulations and laws governing activities.
2. Assists in directing the activities related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives, organizational structure, and daily operations.
3. Assists the Director and Deputy Director with reviewing agendas, reports, and policy statements for presentation to boards and commissions, City Council, and business and community groups.
4. Assists the Director and Deputy Director with analyzing fiscal impact of proposed policies and programs and recommends options to the Director and Deputy Director.
5. Oversees the development of performance measures and reporting systems and utilizes to establish accountability, determine progress, evaluate alternatives, assess productivity, and obtain agreement on expectations in order to achieve required department/division business results.
6. Delegates activities, responsibilities, and authority, as necessary and desirable, to division staff while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for performance.
7. Ensures that responsibilities, authority, and accountability of all direct subordinates and unit supervisors are defined and understood.
8. Fosters and develops a culture of positive customer experiences in working relationships with key staff; division and departmental employees; other governmental organizations; and with external services, such as consultants, legal counsel, boards and commissions, and City Council.
9. Maintains current knowledge, trends, practices, and opportunity areas in all the Economic Development program areas.
10. Represents Director and/or Deputy Director at City Council Meetings, to Boards and Commissions, and at community events as directed.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities: selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal. 

• Knowledge of economic, business, and community development.
• Knowledge of public policy development and analysis.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Skill in directing the activities of a complex and diverse organization.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in evaluating bids and making recommendations.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical issues in non-technical terms to the general public.
• Ability to plan strategically.
• Ability to plan and schedule operations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, elected officials, and boards and commissions.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning, or in a related field to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in management of projects and programs related to the job, including two (2) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-management experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.