Director of Economic Development

Director of Economic Development Lucas County Board of Commissioners Toledo, OH Job Details Full-time From $79,707 a year 1 day ago Benefits Dependent care reimbursement Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Paid time off Parental leave Employee assistance program Vision insurance Life insurance Qualifications Fiscal management Process improvement Business Administration Associate's degree Negotiation Senior leadership Full Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE

Director of Economic Development

DEPARTMENT

Economic Development Department One Government Center, Suite 800 Toledo, OH

NORMAL WORK HOURS

8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Monday - Friday

PAY GRADE

MSS 8 (Negotiable)

STATUS:

Unclassified FLSA:

Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Economic Development provides strategic leadership, vision, and executive management for the Lucas County Department of Economic Development. The Director is responsible for advancing the County's Visionary Roadmap by leading system-level economic development strategies, including business navigation, regulatory efficiency, site development, and community development grant programs. This role is highly external-facing and focused on shaping the environment in which economic development occurs—ensuring Lucas County delivers an industry-leading speed-to-market experience, investment-ready sites, and effective deployment of community development resources. The Director serves as the primary liaison to the Board of County Commissioners, regional and state partners, and key stakeholders, and is accountable for overall departmental performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management:

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine the Department's strategic plan in alignment with County priorities.
• Establish annual goals, KPIs, and performance benchmarks tied to economic growth, investment, and community impact.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and performance management for department staff.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, resource allocation, and financial stewardship.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

Business Navigation and Regulatory Leadership:

• Lead and oversee the County's Business Navigation program as a core economic development function.
• Serve as the executive-level point of contact for complex, high-impact development projects requiring coordination across jurisdictions.
• Ensure the County delivers a best-in-class, predictable, and transparent permitting experience.
• Oversee development and implementation of digital permitting platforms and tools.
• Lead regulatory advocacy efforts by partnering with industry and government to improve policies, procedures, and permitting efficiency at local, state, and federal levels.
• Identify systemic barriers to development and implement process improvements.

Site Development and Investment Readiness:

• Lead strategy to identify gaps between market demand and available sites.
• Oversee development of investment-ready sites, including coordination with developers, landowners, and public partners.
• Guide site certification efforts and alignment with JobsOhio and regional partners.
• Ensure sites are effectively prepared, positioned, and marketed for investment.

Community Development:

• Provide executive oversight of CDBG and CHIP programs.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state requirements while maximizing community impact.
• Align community development investments with broader economic development goals.
• Promote equitable development and strategic deployment of resources across the County.

External Relations and System Building:

• Serve as the primary representative of the County in economic development matters.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional, state, and local partners.
• Engage with developers, utilities, infrastructure providers, and regulatory agencies to align systems supporting development.
• Represent the County in public forums, policy discussions, and high-level negotiations.

Data-Driven Decision Making and Accountability:

• Ensure integration of data and performance tracking into all departmental strategies.
• Oversee reporting on KPIs, including navigation timelines, site readiness, and community development outcomes.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of County Commissioners and stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Economic Development, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred, OR
• Associate degree in a related field and five (5) years of directly related experience, OR
• an equivalent combination of education, certification, experience & training. Certifications (Preferred, but not required):
• Certification in Economic Development (CEcD).
• Project Management or Construction Management certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Deep understanding of regulatory environments, permitting, and public sector processes.
• Strong knowledge of site development and infrastructure planning.
• Experience with federal community development programs (CDBG, CHIP) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence systems, policy, and cross-agency collaboration.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate strategic vision into measurable system improvements.

UNUSUSAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent external meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Visits to businesses and occasionally construction locations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required.

Pay:

From $79,707.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Dependent care reimbursement Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person