POSITION DEFINITION:

The Director of Economic & Community Development serves as a senior member of the Town’s executive leadership team and reports directly to the mayor. This role provides strategic vision, leadership, and execution of initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth, business attraction and retention, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, housing development, and equitable community investment.

The Director leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for planning, zoning coordination, redevelopment, grants, and economic development programming. The position requires a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who can build partnerships, secure funding, and position the Town competitively at the regional, state, and national levels.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Plans and organizes the activities of the department according to standard and established procedures.
• Administers activities through Town Planner, land use applications coordinator, and secretarial staff in the functional areas of planning, economic revitalization, and related state and federal development grant programs.
• Evaluates short and long-term municipal development needs and opportunities of the community.
• Determines resources available to meet perceived needs.
• Coordinates with the Town Planner, the site plan reviews proposed residential, commercial, and industrial developments for recommendations to the several land use commissions.
• Identifies and advances catalytic development and redevelopment opportunities, including mixed-use, transit-oriented, and downtown revitalization projects.
• Prepare grant applications for intergovernmental assistance and private proposals for presentation to the Redevelopment Agency and the Economic Development Commission.
• Negotiates final terms and conditions of approved projects with state, federal, and private funding sources.
• Serves as liaison to state, federal, and community representatives to assure awareness of development opportunities.
• Interprets community economic information in promotional brochures and public speaking engagements to attract potential business and industrial residents.
• Provides leadership for the participation of business and community residents in presenting the Town to visitors, and coordinates activities with local and regional chambers of commerce.
• Maintains inventory of potential business relations and develops a prospective client list.
• Advises and assists potential and present commercial residents on creative financial programs.
• Administers collective bargaining and personnel regulations for staff members.
• Prepares and recommends department budget.
• Administers approved budget.
• Prepares narrative and statistical reports for the Mayor, the Town Council, and commissions upon request.
• Directs, mentors, and evaluates department staff; fosters a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
• Manages the Building and Inspection Department, ensuring efficient operations, effective service delivery, and compliance with applicable laws, codes, and regulations.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Provides technical services to the Planning and Zoning Commission and departments, boards and commissions as needed.
• Participates in professional planning and development organizations to maintain knowledge in the field.
• Attends civic and professional meetings, trade shows and related functions to promote the interests of the Town of East Hartford.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

The Director of Development shall have a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field, and four years of increasingly responsible experience in community affairs, urban planning, or municipal development or an equivalent combination of education and practical work experience.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex development projects and public-private partnerships.
• Experience securing and administering government funding and grants.
• Strong understanding of land use regulations, zoning, and municipal operations.
• Experience working in diverse communities and advancing equitable development outcomes.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.