POSITION SUMMARY: Leads the Engagement and Economic Empowerment team and its activities to develop strategies that empower all residents with access to economic opportunity and meaningful civic participation. The Director of Engagement and Economic Empowerment will work closely with the other directors and project managers within the Department of Community Investment. Innovation, creativity, and problem solving are critical skills for success.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Direct supervision of the Engagement and Economic Empowerment team.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This list represents the types of duties required by the position. Other duties may be assigned as reasonably expected.
· Leads the department’s engagement and economic empowerment activities, including strategic planning, budgeting, hiring personnel and creating successful public-private partnerships.
· Represents the department and city by attending meetings, sitting on committees, and serving other outreach functions as needed.
· Empowers the community by engaging residents and working with them to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods and by facilitating civic participation, community partnerships, and awareness and accessibility to city services.
· Assists the Executive Director with the department’s outreach and communication efforts and prepares messaging and communication related to major projects and services;
· Assists with the facilitation of public dialogues and consensus building to identify and address issues involving the City of South Bend and various community stakeholders.
· Collaborates with other Directors and city leadership on the strategic vision of the City, collecting and distributing key feedback from the community as needed.
· Promotes the City’s vision for South Bend neighborhoods that embodies social equity for all residents.
· Manages project development and execution from inception to closure, tracking and reporting project milestones and status updates to department leadership.
· Develops performance measures based on accepted best practices to assess programming effectiveness.
· Supports internal interdisciplinary project teams around opportunities, drawing from the Planning, Business Development, and Neighborhood Development groups within the Department, and from outside the Department where appropriate.
· Creates and deploys new economic empowerment programs and initiatives and revises existing programs as necessary to increase effectiveness.
· Researches, leverages, receives and deploys appropriate federal, state and local funding sources in furtherance of City empowerment goals.
· Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of strategies to facilitate community involvement with DCI/Redevelopment programs and initiatives to advance equity, transparency, and innovation.
· Researches and helps develop and implement innovative business and community development policies, procedures, and protocol designed to improve equity and community engagement.
NON-ESSENTIAL/MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:
· Assumes additional responsibilities as directed and as they relate to overall function.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
· A college degree in public administration, urban planning, law, finance, education, economics or related field and five years of increasingly responsible positions in economic opportunity, public housing, urban planning, urban redevelopment, community development, community and neighborhood engagement, economic development or a similar area of work experience.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY:
· Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of individuals, including industrialists, architects, contractors, developers, owners, decisionmakers, and the general public.
· Demonstrated ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, humility, and good humor.
· Commitment to excellence, innovation, and data-driven evaluation.
· Ability to manage and adapt to ambiguity and conflicting priorities in a public office environment.
· Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning, redevelopment, business assistance and economic development, neighborhood revitalization and housing programs;
· Knowledge of basic public administration procedures; ability to work within a multifaceted public development agency and coordinate a variety of projects related to economic development, community development, urban redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization; ability to evaluate and analyze complex plans, projects, and programs, taking into consideration such factors as the public budget process, the sources and uses of revenue, the conflicting community viewpoints and plans, the political process, strategic planning considerations and other difficulties;
· Ability to direct a professional staff; ability to relate well with community leaders, elected and appointed officials and diverse community and civic groups;
· Strong communication and inter-personal skills including the ability to clearly explain long term, complex plans and alternatives in both private and public meetings and presentations.
· Strong project management skills, including a sharp attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
· Ability to work effectively with diverse ethnic and cultural groups and community residents.
· Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to establish effective working relationships.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSE, REGISTRATION:
· Valid Indiana Driver’s License, or ability to obtain one.
EQUIPMENT:
Personal computer; motor vehicle; calculator; phone; copy and fax machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and walk, and talk or hear.
The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required in this job include vision and the ability to adjust focus.
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