Economic Development Director Jobs in Gilbert, AZ

Salary: $131,198.00 - $196,797.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-04769
Department: Economic Development
MUNIS- Org Description: Economic Development
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/6/2026 12:00 AM Arizona
Hours per Week: 40
Description
About Us:The City of Glendale's Economic Development Department is a forward-thinking, high-performing team committed to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and rapidly advancing urban economies. Anchored by world-class sports and entertainment assets, a growing innovation corridor, and a thriving advanced-manufacturing ecosystem, Glendale is positioned at the center of economic transformation in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Office of Economic Development drives strategic initiatives that attract premier employers, accelerate investment, and strengthen Glendale's long-term competitiveness. We champion a business-forward environment supported by strong civic leadership, a culture of collaboration, and a proven track record of delivering major projects including SEAR 1 national and international sporting and entertainment events, large-scale commercial developments, and complex multi-stakeholder initiatives. With a commitment to data-driven strategy, proactive engagement, and operational excellence, our team works to expand Glendale's economic base, enhance quality of life, and cultivate vibrant districts that serve residents, businesses, and visitors. We operate with high expectations, strong cross-departmental coordination, and a deep focus on long-range planning and disciplined execution. Joining the Glendale Office of Economic Development means becoming part of a mission-aligned, collaborative team shaping the future of one of Arizona's most opportunity-rich cities. We are innovators, conveners, and strategic stewards of Glendale's economic prosperity-and we are seeking leaders who thrive in a team-oriented environment and are eager to help build the place where the market wants to invest.The Role:The Assistant Director of Economic Development provides strategic operational leadership to advance the City's business attraction, retention, expansion, and redevelopment efforts. Working in close collaboration with the Economic Development Director, this role directs internal business operations, oversees departmental systems and performance management, and leads key service lines that strengthen Glendale's economic competitiveness. Manages strategic and operational plans, departmental policies, and budgets, and supervises professional staff responsible for business development, business assistance initiatives, data strategy, and marketing.
This position leads complex economic development projects and negotiates disposition, development, and inducement agreements. The Assistant Economic Development Director serves as the second-in-command of the Department, provides executive operational leadership, and supports the Director in advancing citywide economic development initiatives. Collaborates across the Department's various service areas to support alignment of strategic priorities and initiatives that contribute to Glendale's overall economic vitality, competitiveness, and destination appeal.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 review the FY25 Benefits Guide or 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.
Essential Functions

1. Serves as the second in command to the Economic Development Director, ensuring continuity of departmental leadership and acting on behalf of the Director in high level internal and external meetings in addition to planning, organizing, and directing departmental operations to achieve organizationally approved strategic plans, goals, and initiatives.
2. Translates strategic priorities, economic development plans, and policy directives into actionable initiatives, programs, work plans, and performance measures.
3. Leads day to day operations across key service lines including business attraction, business retention and expansion (BRE), business assistance, redevelopment, data analytics, place based economic strategies, and B2B/B2C marketing.
4. Directs internal business systems and operations, including CRM platforms, economic dashboards, project pipelines, and performance management tools to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of departmental outcomes.
5. Develops, prepares, implements, and monitors short, mid, and long-range initiatives, special initiatives, disposition agreements, sponsorship and inducement agreements, marketing strategies, and redevelopment efforts that support economic growth and community redevelopment.
6. Leads major service lines supporting Business Attraction, BRE, Business Assistance, Data Strategy, and Marketing.
7. Designs and implements programs that advance business recruitment, retention, expansion, and business development as well as conducts outreach, relationship management, market analysis, and strategies to attract industry and employers, retain existing businesses, and support expansions.
8. Conducts comprehensive project analyses and drafts disposition, development, sponsorship, and public private partnership agreements.
9. Oversees complex negotiations involving developers, site selectors, business owners, tenants, architects, consultants, contractors, and financiers to advance strategic economic development goals.
10. Coordinates economic development initiatives with businesses considering relocation or expansion, external organizations, regional partners, and community stakeholders.
11. Builds and maintains relationships with public and private sector leaders, site sectors, consultants, developers, brokers, property owners, tenants, chambers of commerce, regional ED organizations, workforce partners, and higher education institutions.
12. Represents the department on boards, committees, working groups, and regional collaborations to advance priority initiatives.
13. Develops and delivers high impact presentations to City Council, business groups, community organizations, and regional partners.
14. Oversees data driven decision making by directing economic research, labor market analysis, industry trend reviews, sponsorship and return on investment modeling, and fiscal impact analysis.
15. Ensures accurate, timely reporting of economic metrics, performance indicators, and departmental outcomes to senior leadership, elected officials, and external partners.
16. Develops, administers, and monitors departmental budgets, ensuring responsible allocation of resources, compliance with procurement policies, and efficient use of financial systems.
17. Oversees inducement programs, grant opportunities, redevelopment funds, and special investment tools, ensuring transparent documentation and adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements.
18. Provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to Deputy Directors, Administrators, Program Managers, and professional staff to ensure alignment with departmental objectives, operational priorities, and citywide mandates.
19. Supervises manager level and professional staff, providing coaching, performance evaluations, and leadership development.
20. Fosters a collaborative, service oriented, outcomes focused culture that enhances operational excellence and high-quality delivery of economic development services.
21. Provides oversight of business marketing campaigns, digital platforms, investor facing communications, and economic development branding strategies, ensuring consistency with citywide communication standards.
22. Addresses sensitive, high impact economic development challenges involving businesses, development interests, policy questions, and community expectations.
23. Ensures consistent messaging across all communication channels aligned with organizational goals.
24. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors
Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing or public administration or a related field, five years of of program management experience in the functional areas of Attraction, Retention & Expansion, Redevelopment, Tourism, Marketing, or a related field, and 3 years of management experience. Master of Science or Arts degree and/or CEcD 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:

• Past, present and future micro and macro growing trends of Glendale Laws, ordinances, regulations and policies of various government agencies
• Federal, State and Local employment laws and statutes and guidelines applicable to employee relations practices
• Redevelopment and economic development financing
• Effective management and supervisory practices
• The principles and practices of BRE, business assistance, redevelopment, place based economic strategies, and B2B/B2C marketing, 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

Ability to:

• Demonstrate sound independent judgement and decision making
• Effectively supervise, train and develop employees
• Analyze, interpret, and report research findings; recommend and take appropriate action
• Conduct research and analysis; evaluate programs; prepare reports and recommendations
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Success Factor Classification Level - ManagerialTo view the success factor definitions pleaseclick here. (If needed, click here to 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
Office setting
Benefit information is outlined here:
01
This position requires a Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing or public administration or a related field, five (5) years of of program management experience in the functional areas of Attraction, Retention & Expansion, Redevelopment, Tourism, Marketing, or a related field, and three (3) years of management experience. Any equivalent combination of experience and education which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is considered as qualifying. Do you possess at least a total of nine (9) years of qualifying experience or work and education as well as at least (3) years of management experience in combination thereof?

• Yes
• No

02
This position requires a Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing or public administration or a related field, five (5) years of program management experience in functional area of Attraction, Retention & Expansion, Redevelopment, Tourism, Marketing, or a related field and three (3) years of supervisory experience. Please select the option that best describes your education and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in economics, planning, business, marketing, public administration, or a related field
• Master's degree (M.A., M.S., M.P.A., M.B.A., or related) in economics, planning, business, marketing, public administration, or a related field
• Doctoral degree or other advanced degree in a relevant field
• Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, plus relevant education, training, and/or experience in the required functional areas
• No bachelor's degree, but I have relevant education, training, and experience that may qualify under the City's equivalent-combination provision
• I do not have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that may qualify

03
How many years of relevant program management experience do you possess in Attraction, Retention & Expansion, Redevelopment, Tourism, Marketing, or a related field?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 9 years
• 10 or more

04
How many years of professional management experience do you possess?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 -2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 7 years
• 8 - 9 years
• 10 or more years

05
Please provide at least three (3) examples of how you have led the creation and implementation of strategic priorities, operational plans, and performance initiatives within an economic development organization or comparable public-sector environment.
06
Please provide at least three (3) examples of complex economic development, redevelopment, business attraction, visitation, or expansion projects you have led.
07
Provide at least three (3) examples that demonstrate how you have supervised manager-level and professional staff, including your experience delegating work, providing coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and supporting leadership development.
08
Do you have a CEcD?

• Yes
• No