General Description The Economic Development Strategist provides advanced professional support to the Economic Development Program Manager in executing the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan and the Economic Development Element of the North Port Comprehensive Plan. This position is primarily responsible for identifying and recruiting development, relocation, and start-up opportunities, while fostering a business-friendly environment. The Strategist will play a crucial role in business attraction and investor relationship development. The incumbent will work closely with industry leaders, and existing stakeholders to promote economic growth and development across various sectors, including commercial, office, mixed-use, and industrial developments.
Essential Job Functions
• Business Attraction & Development: • Identify and recruit potential new business development projects, relocations, and start-up opportunities to the City.
• Develop and nurture relationships with business prospects, developers, consultants, and company decision-makers to facilitate business development projects, relocations, and start-up opportunities.; maintain regular contact to provide support and information unless the prospects communicate they are no longer pursuing North Port.
• Manage and coordinate site selection processes for businesses looking to relocate to the area.
• Provide prospective businesses with regulatory assistance to help them navigate city processes, workforce information and workforce partner contacts to facilitate workforce solutions
• Attend economic development tradeshows and industry conventions to promote the City’s potential for business development. [AR1]
• Strategic Partnerships & Collaboration: • Foster strong relationships with regional technical, trade, and education providers to support workforce development [LB2] [MM3] [LB4] [MM5] related to attraction of targeted industries, and to encourage business and economic growth.
• Collaborate with local and regional stakeholders, including economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, [LB6] [MM7] development corporations, and real estate professionals to align development opportunities and resources.
• Project Coordination & Management: • Coordinate and oversee projects that support the City’s economic development goals, including infrastructure development, site development, and facility improvements. [AR8]
• Manage and provide guidance to project negotiations, and facilitate communication between businesses, developers, and City staff to help ensure projects meet regulatory and community needs.
• Conduct field inspections and site visits as required for business prospects and development projects.
• Economic Research & Data Analysis: • Utilize economic research trends, demographic data, and market conditions to support business attraction and inform strategic decision-making.
• Utilize available data and tools to create business profiles, assess development opportunities, and support recruitment efforts.
• Resource Coordination: • Facilitate connections between prospective businesses and local resources, including workforce training, funding opportunities, and technical assistance.
• Project Reporting & Documentation: • Assist in updating policy documents and strategic plan provisions related to economic development as necessary to ensure a business-friendly environment.
• Prepare and present reports, white papers, and presentations on economic development initiatives, project status, and program outcomes.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitor expenditures related to economic development projects and programs.
Other Responsibilities:
• Respond to requests for information from business prospects, City and County staff, residents, and other stakeholders.
• In the absence of the Economic Development Manager, act as staff liaison to the Community Economic Development Advisory Board.
• In the absence of the Marketing Strategist, assist with development and posting of economic development outreach advertising and social media.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of an emergency.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.   Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities • In-depth knowledge of economic development principles, strategies, and practices in a government environment.
• Familiarity with real estate development processes, including commercial and industrial market trends and best practices.
• Knowledge of funding sources, loan structuring, tax abatement, and other economic incentives.
• Skilled in project management, including the coordination of complex development projects and stakeholder negotiations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess demographic and economic data and make informed recommendations.
• Ability to manage customer relations and effectively communicate with various stakeholders, including businesses, developers, and public officials.
• Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and CRM management systems.
Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic development or a related field.
• Completed IEDC coursework is preferred.
• Advance degree is a plus.
• (A comparable amount of training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)
• Licenses and Certifications: • CEcD preferred.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license by date of hire.