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IC
International City/County Management Association
Economic Development Director
Career Insights for Economic and Workforce Development Program Director (Public Sector)
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What they do
An Economic and Workforce Development Program Director employs strategies to improve the economy and support the skill development of workers in a city of state. They may administer economic development to attract and retain businesses and industries and support programs to support unemployed or underemployed workers. They manage relationships with businesses, civic groups, and training providers to support the local economy and workers within it.
$200,183 / year median in Kansas
+2% projected growth
Job Description
Economic Development Director City of Wichita, KS The City of Wichita seeks a dynamic, forward-thinking leader to boldly chart the City's economic future as its Economic Development Director. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader who's ready and able to push the largest city in Kansas toward what's next. As the City's chief economic development strategist, the director will collaborate with development professionals to set the vision for business recruitment, retention, redevelopment, and investment by turning ambitious goals into tangible results, and turning relationships across the community into momentum. This is a role built on connection. The director will be the trusted bridge between City Hall and the business community, elected officials, developers, and the region's key economic partners. The ideal candidate will lead with integrity and sound judgment, but also with hustle: a leader unafraid to seek out partners, test new approaches, and champion the kind of collaborative, continuous-improvement culture that's already part of Wichita's leadership team. Paramount to this role is a keen understanding of economic development principles, including background with incentives, and thorough knowledge in building the economic development ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship, small business development and existing business retention and expansion. Familiarity with municipal financial structures, public funding sources, and urban development principles is a must. Wichita has seen significant economic activity over the past five years, particularly in aviation, biomedical, music, tourism and digital arts with more planned in the next three years. This position will help unlock new possibilities, fuel investment, and build an even stronger economic future for Wichita. Collaborating with the City Manager and reporting to the assistant city manager for development services and quality of life, the director will be challenged to expand the City's tax base, create jobs, revitalize commercial corridors, and encourage investment across every corner of the community. The director will bring a tested command of leading economic development initiatives and creatively generating investments in the community. This is a chance to help write the next chapter of Wichita's Strategic Plan with the long-term vision, moxie, and mandate to make the City think bigger. First review of applications will be September 18, 2026. Posting may remain active until position filled.
Examples of Work Performed:
- Formulates and establishes work goals, policies, and procedures for the Economic Development Division.
- Formulates responsive but consistent criteria for City involvement in economic development and redevelopment projects.
- Implements, recommends, and updates the City's guidelines for Economic Development.
- Oversees financial analysis and implementation of economic development and redevelopment projects.
- Prepares economic development and redevelopment incentive proposals and public/private partnerships for business recruitment and expansion.
- Maintains positive and productive relationships with the City's key economic development partners, including the Greater Wichita Partnership, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Visit Wichita, Downtown Wichita, and the Kansas Department of Commerce.
- Oversees monitoring of local businesses having received financial incentives/assistance from the City.
- Oversees management of City-owned real estate, including parking resources.
- Oversees coordination and improvement of City services to the real estate, development and general business communities.
- Implements and coordinates a robust business retention program that encourages local businesses to expand operations.
- Conducts research to produce reports for internal departments, policy-making bodies, citizen groups and/or representatives of other agencies.
- Oversees grant management.
- Advises the City Manager, City Council and City departments on economic development matters relating to City programs and services.
- Serves as liaison and makes presentations to City departments and other agencies, councils, boards, commissions, the media, the development community, elected officials, and the general public.
- Participates in a variety of teams, groups, and meetings.
- Conducts due diligence analysis of prospective projects and/or programs.
- These examples are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Other related duties may be assigned as needed.
Requirements of Work:
- Thorough knowledge of municipal financial structures and political processes.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of and options for economic development and redevelopment projects.
- Knowledge of the principles of economics, organization and management.
- Develop a comprehensive and robust economic development program to grow the tax employment base in the city.
- Develop a multi-faceted economic development program that focuses on business recruitment, as well as business expansion, entrepreneurship and small business formation and growth.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
- Knowledge of public funding sources.
- Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of other department employees.
- Ability to use a computer to access, record, and interpret information, and for electronic spreadsheet development, using complex mathematical and statistical operations.
- Ability to review financial/accounting procedures, perform administrative analysis and report results.
- Ability to create and review financial proformas with multiple year financing and forecasting models.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations and other stakeholders in urban development activities.
- Ability to read and interpret maps, plans and specifications, including zoning maps and plats.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and make presentations.
- May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
Required Experience and Training:
- Four-year college degree in business or public administration, finance, economics, urban planning, or other field closely related to the job responsibilities.
- Ten years of economic development experience in public or non-profit sector, with three years in a director role.
- Five years experience in public or private financial management and analysis, preferably related to urban development
- An understanding of Kansas Economic Development incentives (STAR bonds, TIF, CID, tax abatements, infrastructure investments) Preferred Experience and Training
- Master's degree in a related field
- Certification in Economic Development CEcD A cover letter including major responsibilities and accomplishments plus a detailed resume is mandatory at application (submit online, in the attachments section).