Director of Economic Development - Goochland, VA

Goochland County is located in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountain tops.  We have great proximity to major cities including Charlottesville and Richmond.  Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community welcomes one and all. A community rich in history, the Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia.  Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies which reflects the County’s exceptional financial resilience and is home to an award-winning public-school system.  

This position serves as the County's primary liaison for business recruitment and development as well as managing the retention and expansion of existing businesses and directing the County’s tourism initiatives. The incumbent will develop, implement and manage an aggressive and comprehensive economic development program by planning, managing and executing marketing production, communications and analytical activities that directly support the Economic Development department and its' objectives. This position exercises considerable independent judgment in planning, organizing and coordinating an effort to market Goochland County to industrial, commercial, and service businesses.   The position requires a focus on strategic marketing and the ability to build strong relationships with existing as well as new businesses.

*** Salary will be commensurate with experience and credentials ***

• Coordinates County Economic Development efforts to compliment and connect with County strategic goals and objectives.
• Promotes development through personal contact with business and community leaders.
• Markets Goochland County within and outside Virginia to encourage new businesses and industries to locate within Goochland County.
• Leads and mentors professional staff in the planning and implementation of business retention and expansion programs.
• Prepares and analyzes economic development proposals on behalf of the County Administrator and Board of Supervisors.
• Implements marketing program for business investment and coordinates ongoing prospect development programs.
• Develops and presents tailored prospect packages. Including providing timely and effective responses to prospect inquiries to include RFP's, RFI's and providing site/building recommendations.
• Assists developers with the project review and approval process, and coordinates development activities with other County departments; including economic incentives, and other tools as needed.
• Monitors business vacancy rates by type of business to determine strategies to expand the County's supply of commercial and industrial sites and buildings.
• Directs the County’s tourism initiatives.
• Represents Goochland County on a regional, state and national level for economic development projects.
• Serves as a liaison to County school systems to match business needs and educational offerings.
• Represents Goochland County on regional committees, boards and commissions.
• Serves as a liaison to the Goochland Chamber of Commerce.
• Serves as Secretary to the Goochland County Economic Development Authority.
• Maintains accurate and current demographic and business information.
• Responsible for general administration of the department including budgeting, staffing and delegation of responsibilities.

• Knowledge of traditional and emerging marketing channels. 
• Knowledge of economic development. 
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Skill in working with department specific technology and systems including VEDP’s VA-SCAN, CoStar, JobsEQ, and SharePoint. 
• Skill in website maintenance and industry-standard software used in website design, development and social media. 
• Skill in providing customer service.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively.
• Ability to manage time effectively to achieve specific project objectives in a deadline-driven environment. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects in various stages. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff, County staff, external clients, the commercial real estate and development community and department vendors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other personnel and the public.

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Marketing, Urban Planning, Business Administration, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of related experience in marketing, economic development, building development process, real estate, and/or community planning, or equivalent training, education, and/or experience.
• Valid State of Virginia Driver’s License with a driving record that meets HR Policy requirements.
• Criminal background check and drug screen required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Work is light work, which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Tasks may require the ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required: bending, reaching, handling, and grasping. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:      Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

As part of employment with Goochland County, all employees are required to complete Emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.

Goochland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, family medical history or genetic information, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local laws.