Job Description
Description
About Us:
The City of Glendale, a world-class sports and entertainment destination experiencing rapid job market growth and development, invites applications for a vital role within its Economic Development Department. Our dynamic team is dedicated to attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. We work proactively to define market niches, assist with site selection, and provide numerous resources to foster a thriving local economy.
Key resources we provide include a comprehensive Small Business Guide and in-depth information on Targeted Industries to help businesses succeed in our vibrant city.
The Role:
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Director of Economic Development will be the city's primary liaison with the business community, responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all economic development programs and activities. This executive-level position requires a strategic and innovative leader to drive sustainable economic progress, major capital investment, and job creation within the community.
The first review of applicants will commence on January 12, 2026.
Salary :
This position is a grade 505, and is FLSA Exempt
The salary for this role is $151,878.30 - $227,817.45 annually.
Benefits:
The City of Glendale offers a generous benefits package with competitive rates that become effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. You can view the 2026 - 2026 Benefits Guide and visit the City of Glendale’s Benefits page for more information.
Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:
Regular status positions offer:
The City of Glendale observes 10.5 holidays per year, and full-time employees are also granted an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays.
Vacation leave accrues at 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours/17.25 days per year), and increases to 6.12 hours after 5 years, and to 7.6 hours after 10 years of service.
Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours/14.25 days per year).
Days per year estimates are based on an 8-hour work day.
Retirement:
This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Contribution is mandatory, and the current contribution rate is 12.00%.
Essential Functions
Directs the research, planning, and implementation efforts designed to achieve the economic development objectives as set forth by the City Council and City Manager.
Directs the formulations of economic development policies and their implementation.
Participates in and oversees staff responsible for preparation, implementation, monitoring, enforcement and administration of long range development/ redevelopment plans, dispositions and development agreements and city ordinances pertaining to economic development.
Meets with internal staff and others including, but not limited to developers, architects, bankers, business owners, and landlords to develop new programs or change existing policies to attract and retain new and expanding business.
Serves as city representative in regional business activities and meetings.
Briefs the City Council, City Manager, and members of the management team to review or recommend courses of action on economic development. Negotiates incentive, development and consulting agreements with tenants, owners, architects, contractors, developers, employers and others.
Serves as arbitrator/mediator between staff and private sector interests such as employers and developers to ensure equity and avoid costly delays.
Directs the preparation and administration of the annual Chamber of Commerce contract with the City for economic development activities.
Formulates agendas and provides staff support to the Municipal Property Corporation; provides policy interpretations and staff support to the Industrial Development Authority.
Makes presentations to City Council, management team and the public regarding economic development programs, issues, policies, initiatives, incentives and development agreements.
Makes presentations to businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the city.
Responds to media, citizen, and business inquiries and complaints.
Participates in and oversees staff responsible for preparation of grant applications and comprehensive technical, feasibility and administrative reports and studies.
Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates and evaluates their performance.
Prepares, presents and administers the departmental budget in accordance with program goals and objectives.
Provides quality customer service; ensures that departmental staff and programs provide quality customer service.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing, public administration or a related field and five years of management/administrative experience in urban economic development, planning or a related field. Master's degree is preferred.
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
Knowledge of:
Public administration theories, principles, and practices
State development laws
Redevelopment and economic development financing
The principles and practices of urban economic, redevelopment and downtown development including administration and management
The principles and practice of neighborhood planning and citizen participation in the planning process
Real estate and site selection principles and practices
Marketing techniques and economic development incentives
Past, present and future micro and macro growing trends of Glendale
Laws, ordinances, regulations and policies of various government agencies
Research techniques, methods and procedures
Customer service practices
City ordinances and regulations
Ability to:
Plan, organize and direct strategic activities related to economic development exercise initiative and independent judgment
Negotiate and perform cost/benefit analyses
Apply modern management techniques
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with private sector investors and mediate differences between city staff, developers, businesses and various citizens groups
Exercise judgment in the selection of publicly funded programs and in balancing public and private financial resources
Formulate solutions to complex problems, issues by analyzing and interpreting complex research findings
Market the city to prospective businesses and industries
Coordinate and mediate efforts of both public and private agencies and committees involved in the economic and downtown development projects
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, even in a hostile environment
Effectively evaluate, train and develop employees
Develop and manage budgets
Direct consultants
Success Factor Classification Level - Executive
To view the success factor definitions please click here. (Download PDF reader)
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
Working Conditions:
Office setting
Benefit information is outlined here: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Your-Government/Connect/Departments/Human-Resources-Risk-Management/Benefits
About Us:
The City of Glendale, a world-class sports and entertainment destination experiencing rapid job market growth and development, invites applications for a vital role within its Economic Development Department. Our dynamic team is dedicated to attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. We work proactively to define market niches, assist with site selection, and provide numerous resources to foster a thriving local economy.
Key resources we provide include a comprehensive Small Business Guide and in-depth information on Targeted Industries to help businesses succeed in our vibrant city.
The Role:
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Director of Economic Development will be the city's primary liaison with the business community, responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all economic development programs and activities. This executive-level position requires a strategic and innovative leader to drive sustainable economic progress, major capital investment, and job creation within the community.
The first review of applicants will commence on January 12, 2026.
Salary :
This position is a grade 505, and is FLSA Exempt
The salary for this role is $151,878.30 - $227,817.45 annually.
Benefits:
The City of Glendale offers a generous benefits package with competitive rates that become effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. You can view the 2026 - 2026 Benefits Guide and visit the City of Glendale’s Benefits page for more information.
Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:
Regular status positions offer:
The City of Glendale observes 10.5 holidays per year, and full-time employees are also granted an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays.
Vacation leave accrues at 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours/17.25 days per year), and increases to 6.12 hours after 5 years, and to 7.6 hours after 10 years of service.
Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours/14.25 days per year).
Days per year estimates are based on an 8-hour work day.
Retirement:
This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Contribution is mandatory, and the current contribution rate is 12.00%.
Essential Functions
Directs the research, planning, and implementation efforts designed to achieve the economic development objectives as set forth by the City Council and City Manager.
Directs the formulations of economic development policies and their implementation.
Participates in and oversees staff responsible for preparation, implementation, monitoring, enforcement and administration of long range development/ redevelopment plans, dispositions and development agreements and city ordinances pertaining to economic development.
Meets with internal staff and others including, but not limited to developers, architects, bankers, business owners, and landlords to develop new programs or change existing policies to attract and retain new and expanding business.
Serves as city representative in regional business activities and meetings.
Briefs the City Council, City Manager, and members of the management team to review or recommend courses of action on economic development. Negotiates incentive, development and consulting agreements with tenants, owners, architects, contractors, developers, employers and others.
Serves as arbitrator/mediator between staff and private sector interests such as employers and developers to ensure equity and avoid costly delays.
Directs the preparation and administration of the annual Chamber of Commerce contract with the City for economic development activities.
Formulates agendas and provides staff support to the Municipal Property Corporation; provides policy interpretations and staff support to the Industrial Development Authority.
Makes presentations to City Council, management team and the public regarding economic development programs, issues, policies, initiatives, incentives and development agreements.
Makes presentations to businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the city.
Responds to media, citizen, and business inquiries and complaints.
Participates in and oversees staff responsible for preparation of grant applications and comprehensive technical, feasibility and administrative reports and studies.
Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates and evaluates their performance.
Prepares, presents and administers the departmental budget in accordance with program goals and objectives.
Provides quality customer service; ensures that departmental staff and programs provide quality customer service.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing, public administration or a related field and five years of management/administrative experience in urban economic development, planning or a related field. Master's degree is preferred.
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
Knowledge of:
Public administration theories, principles, and practices
State development laws
Redevelopment and economic development financing
The principles and practices of urban economic, redevelopment and downtown development including administration and management
The principles and practice of neighborhood planning and citizen participation in the planning process
Real estate and site selection principles and practices
Marketing techniques and economic development incentives
Past, present and future micro and macro growing trends of Glendale
Laws, ordinances, regulations and policies of various government agencies
Research techniques, methods and procedures
Customer service practices
City ordinances and regulations
Ability to:
Plan, organize and direct strategic activities related to economic development exercise initiative and independent judgment
Negotiate and perform cost/benefit analyses
Apply modern management techniques
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with private sector investors and mediate differences between city staff, developers, businesses and various citizens groups
Exercise judgment in the selection of publicly funded programs and in balancing public and private financial resources
Formulate solutions to complex problems, issues by analyzing and interpreting complex research findings
Market the city to prospective businesses and industries
Coordinate and mediate efforts of both public and private agencies and committees involved in the economic and downtown development projects
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, even in a hostile environment
Effectively evaluate, train and develop employees
Develop and manage budgets
Direct consultants
Success Factor Classification Level - Executive
To view the success factor definitions please click here. (Download PDF reader)
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
Working Conditions:
Office setting
Benefit information is outlined here: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Your-Government/Connect/Departments/Human-Resources-Risk-Management/Benefits
💡 Quick Summary
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