Economic Development Manager

Job Description:

Economic Development Manager

Description

Summary/Class Characteristics

Economic Development Manager

The City of Petaluma is seeking an experienced and dynamic Economic Development Manager to join the Community Development Department. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead innovative programs that strengthen Petaluma’s economy, enhance the built environment, and support local businesses.

The Economic Development Manager will foster a business-friendly culture by building partnerships, developing and implementing strategic initiatives, and providing direct support to the business community. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities including program development, long-term planning, research, and service delivery.

Joining the City at a pivotal time — with an updated Economic Development Strategy and General Plan nearing completion — the Economic Development Manager will collaborate across departments to ensure City policies and programs promote a vibrant, sustainable local economy.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship builder, skilled in engaging diverse stakeholders and advancing creative, strategic solutions. Success in this role requires a collaborative approach, deep knowledge of economic development practices, and the ability to turn innovative ideas into impactful results.

*** This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close at any time. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications received by December 7, 2025 , will be reviewed and prioritized for first consideration.

This position has the working title of Economic Development Manager but falls under the Economic Development/Redevelopment Manager job classification. For a full detailed job description, please click here .

SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

• SALARY RANGE : $142,480.00 - $173,118.40 annually
• FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2025 Health Plan Contribution Memo
  • DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • LIFE INSURANCE: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
  • EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
• FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
  • CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
    • 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
    • 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
• FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
  • Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service, up to 5 years service credit towards vacation accrual rate for prior qualifying employment.
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours
  • Administrative Leave: 80 hours (per fiscal year)
  • Holidays: 12 fixed and 1 floating
• Other Exceptional Benefits:
  • Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer

For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website and look at the Memorandum of Understanding and Employee Benefits .

Summary

Plan, organize, manage, and direct the City’s economic development and redevelopment activities, functions, programs, and projects.

Class Characteristics

Administrative direction is provided by the Director of Community Development, responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of technical and/or support staff.

Duties

Assist in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of economic development and redevelopment policies, procedures, goals, objectives, strategies, programs, and projects.

Develop and evaluate economic and redevelopment strategies that conform to short and long-range city programs, goals, and objectives.

Plan, organize, and conduct program activities, including initial planning, feasibility determinations, community involvement strategies, and implementation within established timetables and program review and evaluation.

Implement the City’s economic development strategy, including business retention and expansion, new business attraction, and business ombudsman/advocacy.

Coordinate economic development and redevelopment activities with other departments and outside agencies.

Act as the City’s liaison and point of contact with the community, government agencies, and businesses.

Coordinate with existing local and regional partners to develop and implement a tourism and marketing program.

Plan and implement strategies and programs to encourage business growth, development, and investment while improving the quality and mix of uses throughout the City, particularly within downtown Petaluma, at opportunity sites, and along major arterial corridors.

Provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Community Development and City Manager.

Administer economic development and redevelopment programs; coordinate major redevelopment projects and programs to implement priorities.

Act as liaison among developers, city, state, and federal agencies, and financial institutions to develop financing techniques for redevelopment projects.

Determine if proposed redevelopment projects meet program requirements and draft and implement agreements to secure and provide financing.

Coordinate and negotiate planning, construction, contract requirements, and funding of redevelopment projects with other City departments, other governmental agencies, and private financing sources.

Negotiate with developers, land use attorneys, and financiers to facilitate and expedite economic development projects and real property land use, including coordination of complex real estate and land development agreements.

Conduct research, gather, and analyze data regarding demographics, market and economic trends, vacant land, opportunities, issues, barriers, and needs; monitor and forecast fiscal and economic activities, and related legislation.

Compile and maintain website information containing inventory of economic indicators/data on the City such as population growth, income levels, labor rates, taxes, transportation, vacant land database, and other information relating to factors of business location.

Prepare and monitor operating budgets, project, and program budgets, and develop and submit in a timely manner all required reporting and supporting documents.

Research, prepare, and administer grant and funding applications and proposals and administer grants.

May supervise, train, and evaluate staff.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of economic development and redevelopment and of public administration, including budgeting and program management.

Public and private sector considerations in making business expansion or location decisions.

Strategies and methods for business attraction and retention.

Techniques of marketing and promotion as related to tourism and economic development activities.

Principles and practices of researching and analyzing the economic feasibility of local community and business development projects.

Methods of financing economic development projects, the financial mechanics involved in real property transactions, and redevelopment of finance trends and practices.

Federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines dealing with economic development and redevelopment.

Principles and practices of contract negotiation methods and techniques, contract development, and contract administration.

Principles and practices of grant writing, application, and administration.

Principles and practices of budget development and administration.

Policies and procedures related to planning, zoning, and building.

Statistical and research methods.

Joint public/private sector approaches and techniques to stimulate economic activity in cities comparable to the City.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Education and Experience

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree with major course work in public administration, business administration, planning, economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree with major course work in a related field is desirable.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public sector economic development and/or redevelopment.

At the City’s sole discretion, a combination of educational and specialized professional experience in a public sector environment performing economic development and/or redevelopment duties sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position may be substituted for the required minimums.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Employee is regularly required to: sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time; talk or hear, in person, in meetings, and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; walk to observe department activities; bend and squat to perform file searches; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; operate an automobile to attend various meetings and workshops.

The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc. For moreinformation regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website: https://cityofpetaluma.org/employee-benefits-information/

Salary:

$142,480.00 - $173,118.40 Annually