Director Economic Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $92,221.00 Annually
Location : 801 E. Gwinnett St. Savannah, GA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2603301
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Purpose
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for strengthening communities, supporting local businesses, and driving sustainable economic growth? The City of Savannah is seeking an innovative and collaborative Assistant Director of Economic Development to help lead initiatives that create vibrant commercial corridors, expand economic opportunities, and foster an inclusive, resilient local economy.
In this leadership role, you'll partner with businesses, community organizations, elected officials, and stakeholders to develop and implement transformative economic development strategies that encourage investment, support business retention and expansion, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life for Savannah residents. From overseeing key programs and grants to mentoring staff and advancing impactful initiatives, you'll play an integral role in shaping the City's economic future.
If you're an experienced professional who thrives on building partnerships, solving complex challenges, and creating meaningful community impact, we encourage you to join our team.
The new Assistant Director of Economic Developoment will assist in the direction and management of the functions of the Economic Development department. This position assists in developing and coordinating programs that help revitalize distressed commercial corridors, supports business creation and expansion, addresses barriers to economic growth, and supports a fair and diverse local economy for all.
We offer great pay, excellent benefits to include medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, home purchase assistance and 11 paid holidays!
Women, Minorities, and Veterans Are Encouraged to Apply!
Essential Job Functions

• Assists with managing, directing, training and evaluating all department staff; processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Assists in implementing and assessing department programs, services and performance for ensured compliance with any federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and/or standards as well as the city and department policies and procedures that may need to adhere to.

• Assists with managing the departmental and program budget(s) as well as any grants the department may have for successful execution and reporting in compliance with grantor's terms.
• Assesses business and community needs, develops and executes strategies to gain insight, designs and delivers relevant training opportunities while monitoring effectiveness to ensure delivery of high-quality services to increase individual and organizational capacity.
• Assists with the coordination, assignment and review of work and performance of staff; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions and gives advice and direction as may be needed.
• Prepares, reviews and edits departmental reports, presentations, publications, announcements and other documents to ensure the delivery of accurate, high-quality outputs.
• Participates in city, community, governmental, business and neighborhood meetings as well as serves on boards, committees and/or collaboratives where relevant that help build capacity for providing services and resources to residents/business community.
• Assists in developing and implementing a variety of plans, projects, programs, initiatives, and activities that deliver a high degree of economic development services to meet community needs and improve the operational climate for businesses and quality of life for our residents.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a bachelor's degree in economics, business or public administration or related field (master's degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in economics, business development, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization, small and minority business development, local government incentive programs. The candidate can possess any equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this role.
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledgeable in neighborhood revitalization and urban redevelopment practices and principles.
• Knowledgeable in collecting, managing, and analysis of economic data and performance data
• Knowledgeable in business development principles and practices
• Knowledgeable in asset development and wealth creation
• Knowledgeable of local, state, federal laws/regulations and city policies
• Knowledgeable of the local government's budgetary process and procedures
• The ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to collaborate in a team environment.
• Skill in developing short- and long-range work plans.
• Skill in public engagement processes and community outreach
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral presentation and written communication.

CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Overview of Benefits
Paid Holiday
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
Retirement Seminars
PPO Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Health & Wellness Incentives
Long Term Disability
Excellence and Service Recognition
Employee Development and In-Service Training
Educational Assistance Program
Uniform Allowance (select positions)
Employee Assistance Program
Discounts and Memberships
Employee Relations
Direct Deposit
Credit Union
Pretax Parking Deductions
Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Healthcare
PPO Medical Plus Plan
PPO Medical Basic Plan
Dental Plus Plan
Dental Basic Plan
Vision Service Plan
Life Insurance
Basic Life and ADD
Supplemental Life Employee
Supplemental Life Spouse
Supplemental Life Child
Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.
01
Do you have valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in economics, business or public administration or related field (master's degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in economics, business development, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization, small and minority business development, local government incentive programs?

• Yes
• No

03
Supplemental Question 1Tell us about your experience in managing a commercial corridor revitalization project you've managed or played a key role in. What were the initial baseline conditions and how did you secure stakeholder buy-in?
04
Supplemental Question 2Members of the public often need to understand complex economic impact analyses, but they aren't economists. Can you share an example of how you translated dense economic data into a compelling narrative that drove a policy or project decision?
05
Supplemental Question 3Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) is often said to be more critical than new business attractions. How do you structure a proactive BRE program, and what steps would you take if our data indicated a major local employer was at risk of relocating?
06
Supplemental Question 4Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies, yet they often face systemic barriers to capital and space. What innovative programs would you champion to support minority-owned, women-owned, or early-stage businesses in our commercial districts?
07
Supplemental Question 5As Assistant Director, you will often navigate competing priorities: developers seeking maximum incentives, residents demanding neighborhood amenities, and a city council focused on budget constraints. Walk us through a time you successfully managed these competing dynamics to get a project across the finish line?
08
Supplemental Question 6What is the most effective incentive tool that you have had experience with? Why was/is it successful and what was your role in implementing it.
Required Question