Description
JOB TITLE: Executive Director, Economic Development Corporation
REPORTS TO: Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Incumbent must reside within the corporate City limits of Port Arthur, Texas
within 9 months of acceptance of the role.
DEFINITION:
To plan, organize, and direct the overall administrative activities and operations of the Economic
Development Corporation; to advise and assist the Economic Development Corporation Board; to
represent the Board’s interests with other levels and agencies or government, business interests, and the
community at large; and to exercise independent judgment and initiative.
The position involves developing and implementing target industry marketing initiatives, servicing a broad
range of manufacturing, distribution and office prospects, coordinating special incentive packages for
prospects, interfacing with regional and local economic development allies, brokers, developers and other
service providers to retain and locate prospects.
This position serves at the will and pleasure of the Economic Development Corporation Board.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives policy direction from the Economic Development Corporation Board.
Provides guidance for direct and indirect supervision of the EDC staff in collaboration with the Deputy
Director. Exercises direct supervision and oversight for the Deputy Director and for the EDC staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develop, plan, and implement, with Board participation, Economic Development Corporation
goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures necessary to provide services; approve
new or modified programs, systems, policies and procedures.
Prepare and submit to the Economic Development Corporation Board reports of financial
administrative activities; keep the Economic Development Corporation Board advised of financial
conditions, program progress, and present and future needs of the Economic Development
Corporation.
Direct the development, presentation, and administration of the Economic Development
Corporation budget, oversee the forecast of funding needed for staffing equipment, materials,
and supplies; monitor revenues and expenditures, make mid-year corrections.
Appoint, train, motivate and provide insight/input on staff performance objectives and
collaborate in conjunction with Deputy Director in preparing and presenting performance
reviews, conducting performance improvement plans (PIP), implementing corrective discipline
procedures leading up to recommendation for termination; establish performance objectives,
prepare and present employee performance reviews; implement discipline procedures;
recommend employee termination;
Direct and participate in the preparation of long-term, short-term plans and plan improvements
with recommended financing.
Maintain mental capacity which allows the capabilities to:
o Exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under stressful circumstances
o Evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable
course of action
o Prepare complex policies and recommendations
o Effectively supervise personnel
o Operate effectively in an economically and culturally diverse environment
Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination perception for:
o Making observations
o Reading and writing
o Operating necessary and assigned equipment
o Communicating with others
OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Confer with the Economic Development Corporation Board and staff concerning administrative
and operational problems, make appropriate decisions or recommendations.
Supervise preparation of the Economic Development Corporation Board agenda.
Direct the preparation of plans and specifications for work which the Economic Development
Corporation Board orders.
Interpret, analyze, and explain policies, procedures, and programs.
Confer with residents, taxpayers, businesses, and other individuals, groups, and outside agencies
having an interest in affairs of the Board.
Respond to the most difficult and sensitive complaints and requests for information.
Represent the Economic Development Corporation in the community and at professional
meetings as required.
Coordinate Economic Development Corporation activities with other governmental agencies and
outside organizations.
Perform all duties as may be prescribed by Economic Development Corporation Board action.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Preferred experience in leading organizational change, setting short and long term goals,
establishing new Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and objectives, and establishing new
organizational cultures.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
o Modern and highly complex principles and practices of administration, organization,
functions and services.
o Current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of Economic
Development Corporations.
o Applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations regarding Economic
Development Corporation operations.
o Principles of personnel selection, supervision, training and evaluation.
o Principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups and
agencies, private businesses and firms, and levels of government.
Ability to:
o Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Economic Development
Corporation Board members, staff, committee members, business leaders, and the
general public.
o Provide effective leadership for and coordinate the activities of the Economic
Development Corporation.
o Conceptualize, design and implement strategic digital marketing and branding initiatives
to attract business to targeted demographics for community impact
o Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and
data in an effective manner.
o Appraise situations and people accurately and quickly and adopt an effective course of
action.
o Serve effectively as the administrative agent of the Economic Development Corporation
Board.
o Provide staff training and development programs to increase professional and personal
competencies.
o Lead people and initiatives with professionalism, dignity, respect and the ability to
manage a large portfolio of diverse prospects.
o Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
o Prepare grant proposals and applications, contracts and other necessary documents as
may require for necessary services
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities
is qualifying. A typical way would be:
Experience
o Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in Economic
Development in an administrative, managerial, or staff capacity in a large
organization, involving the responsibility for the planning, organization,
implementation and supervision of varied Economic Development programs.
Training
o Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with
major course work in public or business administration, marketing, economics or
a closely related field. An advanced degree is desirable.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate Texas driver’s license and CeCD certification within 3
years of assumption of the Executive Director position.
The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation is an equal opportunity employer that is
committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of
any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic
information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting,
promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and
apprenticeship. The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation makes hiring decisions based
solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
