Description

Job Title
Assistant Director of Economic Development

Location
Columbia, Missouri

Position Type
Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range
$87,381 - $111,010 annually, commensurate with training and experience

Posting Number
4074P

Department
Economic Development

Division
General Operations

Application Status- Open Until Filled
Preferred Application Deadline: February 13, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

Work Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Some evening and after-hours work required

Position Overview

The purpose of this job is to advance the Economic Development Department (EDD) and Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) mission of fostering a vibrant business environment that creates quality job opportunities and supports upward economic mobility for residents of Columbia and Boone County. This position (1) facilitates industrial site development and marketing; (2) attracts business investments by marketing the region, managing recruitment projects, and coordinating local and state incentive processes; (3) collaborates on commercial development and retail recruitment initiatives; (4) supervises a staff member contributing to these objectives; (5) supports business retention and expansion efforts; and (6) represents EDD/REDI internally and externally as a leader and community partner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supports the Director in the execution of department strategic plans, implementation of department-wide initiatives, and direction of operational activities; coordinates major projects and continuous quality improvement activities.

Maintains a comprehensive inventory of local industrial land and buildings on Missouri LocationOne. Manages the Missouri Certified Site designation process in coordination with area landowners throughout the City, Boone County, and the University of Missouri. Serves as lead staff member to ensure industrial sites are identified, evaluated for infrastructure improvements and development, and effectively marketed.

Manages industrial development and new business attraction program. Prepares site, building, incentive proposal submissions for new industry/employers, and responses to questions from prospective companies.

Coordinates consultant and company project site visits to Columbia/Boone County, conducts project management activities leading to new major employer locations, and facilitates Chapter 100 process for Boone County Commissioners.

Key Responsibilities

Recruits retail businesses by maintaining an inventory of available sites, identifying high-potential prospects, initiating outreach, attending industry trade shows, and responding to information requests.

Coordinates with external stakeholders and assists them through regulatory and permitting processes in collaboration with City, County, and other development partners.

Develops and implements revitalization strategies for under-served areas and other priority opportunities through research, data analysis, best practices, and evaluation of financing options.

Supervises assigned staff.

Serves in a support role in business retention and expansion efforts by assisting with local and state incentives, monitoring incentive compliance, reporting information to taxing entities and stakeholders, and maintaining contact with area industrial plant managers and major employers.

Serves as Vice President of REDI. Provides monthly information and reports to Board of Directors, assists with planning events, and attends meetings.

Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work requires supervising and monitoring work performance of assigned staff, including making decisions on hiring, disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, conducting performance evaluations, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed.

Interactions and communications may result in recommendations regarding policy development and implementation. May also evaluate customer satisfaction, develop cooperative associations, and utilize resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction.

Interactions have significant impact on the organization in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.

Position has major fiscal responsibility.

Is responsible for department-wide financial decisions. Assures that appropriate linkages exist between budget requests and departmental goals and objectives. Monitors budget plan and adjusts as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Marketing, Finance, Regional Planning, or a related field.

Seven to nine years of experience in local or state economic development or a closely related field.

Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), or Missouri Certified Economic Developer (MoCED).

Experience with industrial site readiness, commercial development, incentive structuring, and public-private partnerships.

Knowledge and Skills

Local real estate, utility, and other infrastructure needs for achieving marketable site readiness.

Basic mapping and governmental/proprietary real estate sources.

Local and state incentives and tools such as Chapter 100 and Missouri Works, how they are most impactfully deployed and how they can complement each other.

Industry trends and business needs.

Commercial development and redevelopment principles and related financing tools.

Urban planning, land use, zoning, and regulatory processes and regulations related to commercial development.

General office practices and administrative procedures, records management and administration techniques and procedures.

Managerial best practices and methods.

Skill in
Organizational and project planning, and the coordination of a broad range of projects.

Communicating verbally and in writing to meet the needs of the various business, community, and governmental audiences.

Collecting, analyzing and interpreting demographic, economic and market data.

Negotiating and resolving conflicts.

Marketing to secure project opportunities.

Monitoring and assessing the performance of employees or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Ability to
Conduct research and pay close attention to details.

Exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

Apply logic and reasoning to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Prepare and present reports.

Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

Develop and implement policies.

Effectively plan and delegate the work of others and to train and/or supervise the work of others.

Regularly use a computer, software, phone and related office equipment.

Focus on tasks.

Why Work for the City of Columbia Join a dynamic public-private partnership driving long-term prosperity in a growing, vibrant region anchored by the University of Missouri, major transportation investments, and a strong quality of life.

Make a measurable impact on job creation, economic mobility, and regional competitiveness.

Collaborate with experienced professionals, engaged civic leadership, and influential business partners.

Receive competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and participation in the City's retirement program.

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a cover letter explaining their interest in the position.

Applicants must also provide two to three examples of written communication delivered to diverse stakeholders that conveyed complex information and encouraged action. Examples may include plans, reports, presentations, or professional correspondence.

Equal Opportunity Statement
The City of Columbia is a merit, affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Pre-employment drug testing is required. The City participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program.

Individuals needing accommodation to apply may call 573-874-CITY (2489).
TTY: 711 (MO RELAY)