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Under the direction of the County Manager, the Director of Economic Development and Tourism is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of economic development initiatives as outlined in the County’s strategic plan. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, monitoring and supporting business activities, assisting efforts to promote the retention and growth of existing businesses, and attracting new businesses to Talbot County. This position is also responsible for developing and executing effective public relations, marketing, and promotional plans to build the County’s tourism.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Manages daily operations of the Department of Economic Development & Tourism
• Develop, present, and execute a Strategic Plan for Economic Development & Tourism for Talbot County
• Identify software for implementation or partner with the real estate community to monitor available buildings and sites in the community for economic development purposes and track business movement into and out of the County.
• Research and prepare marketing materials that accurately reflect the economic base of the County and assist in responding to inquiries about local economic development opportunities in the County, including information about economic indicators, development infrastructure, assets, the existing business base, town utilities, town, county, and state taxes, zoning, land and site availability, transportation corridors, community services, resources for growth and development, and financing tools.
• Assist new and expanding businesses with introductions to resource providers, an overview of the business and development applications and procedures; the identification of the scope and requirements of the project.
• Develop and implement a retention plan that ensures an active business call program.
• Monitor local, state, and federal legislation and regulations pertaining to the resources available to support economic development initiatives and report findings, trends, and coordinate responses to the County Council.
• Identify grant opportunities to support projects as outlined in the strategic plan
• Coordinate and monitor professional service contracts for economic development
  initiatives
• Coordinate the planning, development, organization, management, and evaluation of the economic development priorities within the County
• Analyze and assist in prioritizing potential economic development projects/opportunities
• Attend meetings and conferences pertaining to economic and community development and represent the County at designated meetings at local, state, and federal levels.
• Manage the work of the Economic Development Commission; prepare agendas, presentations, and minutes of meetings as required.
• Prepare the department’s budget; ensure financial accountability
• Develop and manage a marketing and communication plan that supports the economic development goals for improving community relations and public relations, and for supporting the existing business climate.
• Manage the work of the Talbot County Tourism Board; prepare agendas, presentations, and minutes of meetings as required. Develop a cooperative advertising program to offer quality, affordable opportunities to all County tourism-related businesses and organizations.
• Monitor the tourism industry to determine trends and create suggestions for developing new programs to take advantage of this future direction.
• Work with the state and neighboring county Offices of Tourism to align regional goals, objectives, and performance measures and develop cooperative ventures.
• Research, write, and obtain grant requests for county projects that promote tourism and market county tourism.
• Represent the tourism industry regarding potential changes in legislation so as to improve the industry and alleviate industry obstacles.
• Communicate tourism trends, analysis results, and other tourism-related activities with members and the tourism industry.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Public Administration, Economics, Marketing, Finance, Urban Planning, Commercial Real Estate, or a closely related field is required.
• Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development, including two (2) years managing complex projects.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credentials preferred
• Valid Driver’s License and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Knowledge of standard office software, plus specific experience and use of software related to the industry, and use of design software.
• Knowledge of the principles of economic development, including commercial real estate, finance, and marketing.
• Ability to write clearly and informatively; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, supervisors, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret applicable laws, codes, and regulations concerning land use and the development process to stakeholders.
• Provide creative leadership and vision; analyze situations accurately, collect data, and adopt effective courses of action
• Be actively involved in professional organizations and associations that provide a broad base of contacts in the economic development industry
• Knowledge of principles and practices of grant application, governmental budgeting preparation, and control
• Experience with the discipline of marketing and sales to engage in business recruitment; execute a marketing and promotion strategy, and monitor to determine if effective in achieving the defined goals of the program

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.