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Director of Community & Economic Development

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Director of Community & Economic Development is a key member of the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) leadership team and is responsible for advancing community and economic development throughout GRADD’s seven-county service area. The Director serves as a trusted resource and strategic partner to local governments, elected officials, businesses, community organizations, regional partners, and state and federal agencies.

This position connects communities with expertise, partnerships, and funding; helps local leaders turn ideas into workable projects; and supports efforts that strengthen economic opportunity, infrastructure, services, quality of life, and long-term regional resilience. The successful candidate will be an experienced, practical, relationship-oriented professional who is comfortable taking initiative, solving problems, working with a wide range of people, and seeing projects through from concept to implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Economic & Community Development

• Lead and support regional economic and community development initiatives that strengthen business growth, investment, entrepreneurship, workforce opportunities, community vitality, and long-term economic resilience.
• Work with local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, businesses and industries, utilities, educational institutions, workforce partners, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to identify and advance opportunities.
• Assist communities with business and industry recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts, as appropriate.
• Provide technical assistance and strategic guidance to local governments and community partners as they address development challenges and pursue priority projects.
• Assist communities in planning and implementing projects involving infrastructure, housing, public facilities, services, quality of life, and economic opportunity.
• Help communities develop strategic plans, needs assessments, feasibility studies, community development strategies, and other planning documents.
• Facilitate collaboration among public, private, nonprofit, educational, and community partners and help move shared priorities toward action.
• Monitor regional, state, and national trends and identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and potential responses.

Grant Development & Funding

• Identify and evaluate federal, state, foundation, and other funding opportunities that align with GRADD and regional priorities.
• Lead or assist with grant applications, funding proposals, and related project development.
• Work with communities and partners to identify appropriate funding sources and develop competitive applications.
• Assist with project scopes, budgets, timelines, performance measures, supporting documentation, and other requirements associated with funding applications.
• Monitor grant-funded projects for compliance with applicable requirements and funding conditions.
• Stay current on relevant funding programs and communicate timely opportunities, requirements, and changes to GRADD leadership and regional partners.

Regional Planning & Strategic Initiatives

• Identify regional needs and opportunities and help translate them into practical strategies, projects, and initiatives.
• Support the development and implementation of GRADD’s regional goals, objectives, programs, and strategic priorities.
• Lead or participate in regional studies, planning initiatives, task forces, committees, and special projects.
• Research, collect, and interpret demographic, economic, community, and other relevant information to support sound decision-making.
• Evaluate initiatives and recommend improvements based on results, changing conditions, and stakeholder needs.
• Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, project summaries, and recommendations for GRADD leadership, boards, local governments, and community partners.

Leadership, Partnerships & Public Engagement

• Serve as a visible and credible representative of GRADD and build strong, productive relationships throughout the region.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, local government administrators, business and community leaders, educators, workforce professionals, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal partners.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and other GRADD leaders to coordinate services, strengthen partnerships, and advance organizational priorities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, coaching, and professional development to assigned staff while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Convene partners around shared challenges and opportunities and facilitate productive discussions that lead to practical next steps.
• Represent GRADD at meetings, conferences, community events, workshops, and regional and statewide forums.
• Communicate complex economic and community development issues clearly and effectively to both professional and public audiences.

Department & Organizational Management

• Develop department goals, objectives, work plans, and performance measures in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Assist with department budget development and management and monitor expenditures.
• Maintain accurate project files, records, reports, grant documentation, and other required information.
• Ensure department activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and GRADD policies.
• Participate in organizational planning, leadership and staff meetings, professional development, and other activities that support GRADD’s effectiveness.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in economic development, community development, public administration, business administration, planning, political science, finance, economics, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Progressive professional experience in economic development, community development, public administration, grant development, planning, business development, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience taking projects from planning through implementation and working effectively with multiple partners.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Kentucky driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with local governments, regional organizations, economic development organizations, nonprofit organizations, or governmental agencies.
• Experience developing and administering federal or state grants.
• Knowledge of economic and community development programs and funding opportunities at the federal, state, and regional levels.
• Experience with strategic planning, project management, public-private partnerships, or regional initiatives.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Familiarity with economic, workforce, infrastructure, housing, and community development issues affecting Western Kentucky.
• Master’s degree or professional certification in a related field.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong judgment, strategic thinking, and practical problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management, organization, follow-through, and time-management abilities.
• Ability to research, evaluate, and communicate complex information in a clear and useful manner.
• Strong grant research, writing, and funding development skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and bring diverse perspectives together around common goals.
• Confidence and professionalism when working with elected officials, executives, business owners, community leaders, residents, and public agencies.
• Ability to lead, develop, motivate, and hold staff accountable.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing priorities and competing demands.
• Commitment to public service, regional collaboration, professionalism, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Genuine interest in helping communities, local leaders, and people succeed.

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to do meaningful work that has a visible impact on communities and people across Western Kentucky. The Director helps connect local leaders with resources, partnerships, expertise, and funding that can turn good ideas into real results.

The ideal candidate will be someone who values purpose and public service, enjoys building relationships, takes ownership of their work, and understands that effective community and economic development is about people as much as projects. GRADD is looking for a leader who is confident without needing the spotlight, experienced without being set in their ways, and motivated by making a difference rather than simply holding a title. This role requires initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to work comfortably with both high-level leaders and the people doing the day-to-day work.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment. The position requires regular travel throughout the GRADD seven-county service area and occasional travel throughout Kentucky and beyond. Attendance at evening meetings, community events, conferences, and other activities may occasionally be required.

Physical Demands

The position requires the ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods, communicate effectively in person and by telephone, attend meetings and presentations, and occasionally walk or stand for extended periods during community events, conferences, site visits, and project activities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Travel Requirements

Regular travel throughout the GRADD seven-county service area is an essential function of this position. Occasional statewide and overnight travel may be required for conferences, meetings, training, site visits, professional development, and other GRADD business.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GRADD is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment that values integrity, respect, inclusion, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may be modified as organizational needs change.