VICE PRESIDENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - St. Peterburg, FL

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
St. Petersburg is in the heart of the Tampa Bay region.
Tampa Bay is the 17th largest metro in the U.S.A with 3.5 million and gr owing population. St. Pete has grown into a vibrant, world-class city with thriving innovation, business, and arts environments that make us a world-class city worth exploring.

ST. PETE IS HOME TO INNOVATION ON EVERY FRONT:
Technology and financial services leaders have developed a thriving Tech and SaaS Ecosystem downtown.
Startups and entrepreneurs thrive in urban co-working spaces and Class-A office space nestled throughout the city’s vibrant streets. Marine and life science institutions conduct important studies in our waters. Specialized & defense manufacturing thrive in St. Pete.
 
CENTRAL ARTS DISTRICT:
In the Central Arts District, the world’s first
permanent Dale Chihuly collection presented by the Morean Arts Center, Florida Holocaust Museum, and the Florida CraftArt Museum are within walking distance
 
ARTS AND CULTURE
Whetherit's a mural onabuilding or a
product launch at a local brewery, St. Pete is a place where creativity thrives. With seven arts districts, 12+ world-class museums, and home to the Florida Orchestra, there's always something to see.

QUALITY OF LIFE
Recreation: St. Pete has one of the largest waterfront park systems in the nation and over 150 parks in the city. The community’s paddling trails, cycling trails, scores of recreation centers, and sports leagues keep people moving in the year round sunshine.
 
Cycling:
PinellasCounty is home to the largest network of cycling and pedestrian trails in the Southeast. Ride or walk The Pinellas Trail, 36 miles of former railroad from downtown St. Pete all the way to the north of Pinellas Bicycle lanes, recreational trails, sidewalks, and routes for non motorized vehicles connect St. Pete’s neighborhoods. St. Pete’s bike-sharing program has positioned 300 rental bikes in 30+ locations.

QUALITY OF LIFE
Healthcare: St. Petersburg is home to high quality health care options for all stages of life, from an award-winning birthing center to vibrant assisted-living communities. St. Pete also offers seven hospitals and hundreds of independent providers that offer wide-ranging medical expertise.

Seven hospitals are in St. Pete, and many more in neighboring cities. St. Pete is home to the world-class Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Pediatric Trauma Center and the Orlando Health St. Petersburg Level II Trauma Center.

Bay Pines VA Headquarters offers community-based outpatient care in St. Pete and eight other nearby cities. Bay Pines Healthcare System serves some 108,000 veterans a year.

St. Anthony’s, St. Petersburg General Hospital, Northside Hospital, and HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital offer many specialties to the St. Pete community, including emergency care. Kindred Hospital offers direct admission from home and skilled nursing facilities.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Housing:
St.Pete is characterized by 260 miles of waterfront property and offers an attractive quality of life along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The median sales price for a home in St. Petersburg is $449,775 (Redfin, July 2026).

From historic to contemporary, urban to suburban, and everything in between, St. Pete’s housing diversity means there is a perfect home for everyone. The neighborhoods of Historic Old Northeast and Old Southeast, with their brick and tree-lined streets, Craftsman-style homes, well-loved gardens, and welcoming porches, are just a short walking or cycling distance to downtown and the waterfront, while Historic Kenwood, to the west of downtown, is only a short drive.

If you prefer renting, the St. Petersburg rental market is thriving, with options ranging from modern apartment complexes to single-family homes. Many rental communities feature shared indoor and outdoor amenities to support the Florida lifestyle: pools, grills, and communal outdoor spaces. Rental options suit every budget and lifestyle throughout the city.

WORKFORCE & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

St. Pete is comprised of skilled workers who are invested in building their careers and community. The regional workforce is diverse in their backgrounds, skills, and
experiences. Whether you’re looking for eager entry-level employees to learn the ropes, experienced executives to enhance your operations, or anything in between.

Fueled by nationally recognized higher education institutions, a low cost of living, and ample opportunity, St. Pete attracts top-tier talent from all over the country. The region has over 100,000 college students graduating each year (30,000 annually).

PK-12 EDUCATION

Pinellas County Schools is the seventh largest district in Florida with 150 schools including magnets, career academies, adult education centers, and its own virtual school program.

Career and Technical Programs:
Pinellas County Schools offers dozens of career-focused programs, along with nearly 70 career-preparation programs through its technical colleges. The district currently has 50 career academies in various stages of implementation, providing students with opportunities to earn industry certifications, pursue postsecondary education, and prepare for entry into high-demand careers.

Interstates: The 1-4 Corridor is the gateway into and out of the Tampa Bay Region and a major east - west connection in our transportation network. Spanning from Tampa to Orlando, the 1-4 Corridor links the Tampa Bay region to the remainder of the state and nation. The 1-4 corridor in recent years has become one of the largest concentrations of distribution centers in the Southeast, rivaling Atlanta.

TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS
Tampa InternationalAirportis consistently ranked among the world’s top airports. With some of the shortest TSA wait times in the country and convenient access to the Westshore Business District and downtown Tampa, TPA makes doing business in St. Pete easy. Average of 215 daily departures, over 100 non-stop flights to domestic and international destinations, and service to all major US hubs. Conveniently located on the prime 1-4 warehouse, distribution, and logistics corridor. Easy access to Latin America and Europe from Tampa International Airport, plus export opportunities from Port Tampa Bay.

EXISTING INDUSTRY
St. Petersburg attracts everyone from startups and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Business leaders from all industries and
company sizes are drawn here for the same reasons: unique opportunities for business development, financial and tax incentives, and an unmatched sense of community and camaraderie.
These companies are just a few of the many businesses that call our city home and are working to shape St. Pete’s future.

ABOUT THE POSITION
St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation is seeking a qualified Vice President of Economic Development to extend our global reach through expert discovery and exploration of new and untapped business opportunities and realtionships.
Our ideal candidate will be trusted to dive right in, use initiative, and help recruit and retain businesses.
Highly skilled at sales and business operations, this person will join and inspire a team of like-minded go-getters to achieve St. Pete’s vision.
 
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

• A dynamic, results-driven leader with a passion for economic development.
• A strong relationship builder who connects easily with businesses, investors, and community partners.
• A strategic thinker who can turn opportunities into successful projects. A collaborative leader who thrives in a team-oriented environment.
• An effective communicator who can confidently represent the St. Petersburg Area.
• A proactive, motivated professional who takes initiative and follows through.

QUALIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, marketing, business/public administration or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in economic development, business development, and corporate relocation assistance and expansion.
• Proven experience in business recruitment, retention, and expansion. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience responding to RFPs/RFIs and managing site selection projects. Proficiency with data analysis, forecasting, and budgeting
• Experience working directly with site selectors, corporate executives, and economic development partners.
• Ability to travel.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corportation is a public-private partnership dedicated to attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses in St. Petersburg. The organization promotes St. Pete as a premier destination for innovative companies while connecting businesses with resources, talent, and partnerships needed to grow and succeed. Through its work, the EDC helps generate new jobs, investment, and economic opportunity throughout the community.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter,resume,and3professional references.
To apply, visit www.thenextmovegroup.com/stpete, or email
liv@thenextmovegroup.com

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: $100,000 commensurate with experience + bonus program & competitive benefits package

REFERENCES & BACKGROUND CHECKS
Finalists for the position will undergo background checks that may include:

• Criminal records
• Driving records
• Education completion
  Personality profile assessments
• Drug testing
• Professional references
   
  Contact: Alivia Tipton (800) 764-3105
  liv@thenextmovegroup.com