Senior Manager-Economic Development Department

Job Description:

Senior Manager-Economic Development Department

Description

Senior Manager-Economic Development Department

Department of Economic Development
Full Time, 12 Months
Exempt, Pay Grade 36 -($93,543.65-$103,390.35)
Benefits Eligible, VRS Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:

The Senior Manager for Economic Development plays a critical role in fostering economic growth by facilitating strategic real estate and land development partnerships with private sector entities. This senior-level position is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and executing opportunities that support business expansion, attraction, and redevelopment efforts in Albemarle County.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Essential Functions:

• Prepare timely, data-driven responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) from state and regional economic development organizations, ensuring the county remains competitive for site selection opportunities. Collaborate with utility providers and public agencies to understand infrastructure readiness and address site development needs.

• Coordinate with Community Development, Finance & Budget, and others to conduct financial and data analysis to evaluate potential public-private partnerships, ensuring alignment with the county’s economic development goals.
• Engage with developers, site selectors, and business leaders to promote investment in new and existing development projects, including large-scale developments, redevelopment efforts, and brownfield revitalization. Facilitate internal coordination for such projects. Identify and support application for state and federal grant funding.
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess site feasibility, infrastructure constraints, and development potential to support business attraction and expansion. Maintain a database of buildings and sites. Support the development and maintenance of a strategy for site development opportunities.
• Assisting executing the county’s economic development strategic plan, with a focus on land use, real estate development, and investment attraction.
• Support and coordinate efforts related to business attraction, site readiness, and incentive structuring in collaboration with public and private stakeholders.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Understanding economic development best practices, land use planning, and business attraction strategies.

• Understanding of real estate and site development, including site selection, entitlement processes, and financing.
• Understanding of zoning, land use policies, permitting, and environmental regulations that impact site development and GIS and other economic development data tools to inform decision-making.
• Knowledge of structuring and implementing partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive investment, including incentives, tax increment financing (TIF), opportunity zones, and other funding tools.
• Ability to analyze industry trends, labor force data, and market conditions that impact site selection decisions.
• Ability to work effectively with local, regional, and state economic development organizations, utility providers, real estate professionals, and government agencies.

Required Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Finance, or a related field.

• 5 years of experience in economic development, real estate development, public-private partnerships, or a related field.
• Experience working with an Economic Development Authority (EDA) on development projects.
• Experience in GIS tools and real estate site analysis.
• Familiarity with economic development finance, incentives, and infrastructure planning.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills to engage with private sector partners, state and regional economic development entities, and local officials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, analyze financial data, and present insights to stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Master’s degree in Economic Development, Business Administration, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Finance, or a related field.
• 8-10 years of experience in economic development, real estate development, public-private partnerships, or a related field.
• CEcD credential.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Work is typically performed in an office setting but will require frequently driving to meetings in other locations, but occasional travel to construction sites throughout the County that will require traveling over rough terrain.

• Work will generally be performed during normal business hours, but work occasional evenings or weekends is required.
• Work will generally be performed within the County but occasional travel, including overnight stays, may be required.
• Regular contact with appointed and elected officials.
• Regular contact with the public, staff, developers, and design professionals while using judgment, tact, and interpretation skills to resolve complex issues.

Location:

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $44.97- $49.71 (approx. $93,543.65 - $103,390.35 per year). Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum, experience and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA Non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Deadline for Applications: Position open until July 8th, 2026. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit both a resume and a cover letter.


Albemarle County Core Values:

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through:

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.