GEDC Executive Director

Gainesville Economic Development Corporation Executive Director

Position Profile Brochure : GEDC Executive Director Profile Brochure

Link to Job Listing and to Apply : SGR - Gainesville Economic Development Corporation Executive Director, Gainesville TX

Examples of Duties

To lead the strategic development and implementation of initiatives focused on expanding Gainesville's business and industrial base, attracting new industries, supporting existing business retention, and fostering sustainable economic growth. This role emphasizes strengthening industry relationships, promoting business expansion, and ensuring job retention to build a resilient local economy.

• Develop and execute strategic plans to expand Gainesville's business community, attracting new industries and supporting the growth of the existing business and industry.
• Develop positive working relationships with city manager, city staff, including community development, and public works departments along with other taxing entities.
• Identify and pursue business opportunities, including site selection assistance, infrastructure development and incentive programs.
• Cultivate strong relationships with local, regional and national businesses to promote Gainesville as a prime location for industry growth and investment.
• Serve as the primary liaison for existing businesses through assistance with expansion projects, workforce development, and navigating local regulatory processes to facilitate growth and job retention. Lead efforts to retain existing businesses through proactive engagement, problem-solving and customized support initiatives.
• Collect, analyze and report on employment trends, industrial land availability, commercial vacancy rates and other key industry metrics to make strategic decisions.
• Coordinate economic development activities with the City of Gainesville, Cooke County, North Central Texas College, Texas Workforce Center, the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and other public and private organizations involved in the development of Gainesville's economy.
• Provide highly responsible administrative staff assistance to the GEDC Board.
• Recommend annual budget for GEDC Board approval and prudently manage organization's resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations; monitor monthly expenditures and report significant variances to the GEDC Board.
• Gather and prepare informational material for reference and distribution regarding potential for business growth.
• Participate in selection of staff as requested; provide staff training as necessary; evaluate employee performance as required; and work with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of : comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of economic development, with a focus on business retention, industry expansion and workforce development. Strategies for attracting new industries and expanding existing business operations. Marketing, public relations, and relationship building techniques tailored to business and industry audiences. Incentive programs, site development, and local, state, and federal financing options for business and industry. Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations. Research and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.

Ability to : work effectively with private-sector representatives of business and to coordinate the interface with public and private agencies. Research, prepare and present comprehensive written and oral reports to the GEDC. Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations. Prepare and participate in the development of an annual program of work and budget that forecasts the activities and funding needs for the organization. Represent Gainesville and the GEDC before governmental commissions, boards and agencies. Prepare clear and concise reports. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with diverse stakeholders. Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines : Any combination of experience and training that provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Experience : Five to seven years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Education / Training : Graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree. Economic Development Certifications are not required, but preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to sit, talk or hear. Employee occasionally must lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job the ability to adjust focus for reading reports and using computer. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.