Director, Office of Downton Development


Employer
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Atlanta, Georgia

Description
The Atlanta-based Director of the Office of Downtown Development will lead a flexible, collaborative team tasked, primarily, with assisting communities of various dynamics (population, resources, demographics, etc.) in the development and execution of programs aiding the revitalization of their historic commercial districts. This position will manage the office’s work with “Main Street” cities and other, non-designated, communities related to the revitalization of Georgia’s historic commercial and mixed-use districts. The director will oversee the agency’s efforts to support rural cities and local development authorities and will coordinate the provision of direct technical assistance, training, strategic planning, and consulting, as appropriate. The position is responsible for ensuring successful development of training materials and content for “Main Street 101”, “Main Street 201”, meeting materials, webinars, and printed documents. This position is the State’s primary liaison to our partners at the Georgia Downtown Association and the National Main Street Center.

This position will also be responsible for all typical functions of an office director at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, including, but not limited to the following areas: personnel, budget development and management, and agency administrative requirements.

Job Requirements

  • Knowledge of the Main Street Approach, the Georgia Main Street Program designation tiers and the annual accreditation process as set forth by Main Street America.
  • Knowledge of Georgia, its communities and regional commissions and the State’s processes and regulations related to local government management and operations (community planning, government finance, economic development, regulatory compliance, development authorities, etc.)
  • Knowledge in the operations and needs of local development authorities, local governments, and regional commissions
  • Knowledge in the operations and creation of special tax districts including but not limited to: B.I.D., C.I.D., or T.A.D.
  • Conceptual familiarity with demographic and economic analysis, and relevant data/information gathering and management
  • Excellent research, writing, and presentation skills
  • Skill in oral and written communication including a high level of comfort in public forums
  • Solid interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external partners
  • Attention to detail; excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Ability to take initiative, and be a problem-solver
  • Ability to work well on interdisciplinary project teams requiring flexibility and adaptability
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks
  • Experience providing tactful guidance and recommendations to leadership

Necessary Attributes:

  • Knowledge of community and economic development, community planning, historic preservation, and the relevant policy and statutory framework
  • Knowledge of relevant software and other technical tools frequently used in this field
  • Knowledge of budget development and management
  • Ability to supervise personnel
  • Ability to clearly, succinctly, and professionally convey complicated information to a variety of audiences in an understandable way
  • Ability to present material and speak effectively to diverse groups of people to communicate the importance of downtown development, historic preservation and economic development
  • Ability to review and analyze development agreements, economic development proposals, financial incentive programs, etc.
  • Ability to analyze data in various formats and presentations and use it to form conclusions about performance outcomes, and develop reports from assembled data
  • Ability to credibly represent the office and the State to internal and external partners and the public

Agency-Specific Minimum Qualifications: (GSM013, Sr Mgr 2, Business Ops) 

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
  • Five years of experience managing professional level staff OR Nine years of experience AND
  • Five years of management experience at the level equivalent to area of assignment OR Five years of experience at the lower level Sr Mgr, Business Ops (GSM012).
  • Note: An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provided the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications – Strong preference will be given to candidates with:

  • A master’s degree in a directly relevant course of study;
  • Five years of experience managing professional staff; and/or,

Relevant professional certification(s);

  • Experience directing a state-level Main Street Program, and/or a GEMS-designated program;
  • Experience leading a local or regional economic or community development office/organization.

Position Requirements:

  • Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide a writing sample prior to the interview.
  • 1-2 onsite interviews will be scheduled with the best-qualified candidates.
  • The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal background check, educational degree check, reference checks, and (because travel is required) a motor vehicle records check prior to the extension of a job offer.
  • Applicant must have and maintain the legal ability to drive a vehicle in the State of Georgia.
  • Frequent travel via automobile is required with occasional travel to out-of-state conferences via airplane (travel expenses reimbursed by the agency).

Salary Range
$85,000.00-$95,000.00

Benefits
Yes

How to Apply

Apply Online

Deadline
11/01/2024