Listing Summary

Posting Expires: 12/31/2023

Salary: Commensurate with experience

The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is a policy and implementation team in the Department of City Planning that is tasked with interpreting and executing the goals of The Atlanta City Design as they relate to the equitable growth and development of Atlanta’s neighborhoods and residents. OHCD’s two explicit goals are supporting a healthy housing ecosystem and supporting neighborhood-scale economies through cutting-edge policy development and the implementation of impactful programs and initiatives. 

The Assistant Director of neighborhood Economic Development will lead a workstream in OHCD composed of 6 staff in 3 distinct program areas: Neighborhood Transformation Initiatives, Business Districts/Main Street, and Small Business Services. The goal of the team is to implement community-based plans and support neighborhood-scale economies by creating and pursuing impactful initiatives. This position will lead cutting-edge, collaborative work to tackle barriers to development and thriving in some of the City’s neighborhoods in greatest need of investment.

City data indicates that small businesses (defined as organizations with less than 50 employees) constitute 90% of the total number of businesses in Atlanta and 83% of all legacy businesses (defined as businesses in continuous existence for at least 15 years or more).  OHCD believes that these organizations represent the heartbeat of our cultural identity in Atlanta. However, these businesses, and the neighborhood economies they constitute, face unique challenges specific to their size – from navigating permitting, zoning, and licensing requirements, to finding affordable brick and mortar locations, to developing voices to advocate for their interests in local decision making.

The Assistant Director will work to empower and expand the number, longevity, and influence of our local businesses and districts by working alongside the Assistant Director, Community Development Programs to cross-functionally leverage the skills and experience from each team. The Assistant Director will also collaborate with other offices in the Department of City Planning including the Office of Design. 

The Assistant Director will also form relationships with other public agencies like Atlanta BeltLine Inc., Invest Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, Workforce Atlanta, and other public and private sector partners to identify and advance neighborhood-scale innovation opportunities in publicly supported projects. The Assistant Director will serve as a representative of the office in various public meetings and may serve as project lead on major initiatives.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director will work collaboratively with internal/external stakeholders to achieve the following: 

• Lead a dynamic team of professionals to pursue innovative implementation of neighborhood-scale plans through a place-based lens, and work alongside partners and funders to ensure sustainable and successful long-term outcomes for communities and business districts.
• Select, develop and manage new staff as needed and identify the appropriate expertise for particular roles.
• Develop research-based, locally-adapted, economic development policy solutions to increase and diversify the number of businesses and the economic health of commercial districts.
• Identify and implement strategies to connect businesses with available tax and financial incentives from municipal, state, and federal sources.
• Develop relationships with neighborhood leaders, business owners, and residents to understand the needs and challenges in their neighborhoods.
• Lead the development of toolkits and other resources targeted to local residents.
• Engage and educate communities and neighborhoods about relevant issues (permitting, zoning, etc.) in a meaningful way that empowers them to participate in local decision-making processes by creating presentations, workshops, focus groups, etc.
• Educate and engage public stakeholders and activate a team across the City in other departments that can break down barriers to neighborhood economic development that arise from educational, technological, financial, land access, and other constraints.
• Act as a thought leader for place-based economic development, representing the Department of City Planning in economic development discussions, gathering research and proposing policy solutions that could increase equity and representation in local businesses and districts.
• Support other programs throughout the department as needed by supplying a unique perspective and familiarity with the perspectives of stakeholder served by the team’s initiatives and using it to evaluate other programs and policies.

List the essential job duties that are specific to the position. These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  

Decision Making 

• Analyzes complex challenges and applies sound judgment. Selects from multiple procedures and methods to accomplish tasks. Establishes work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc.

Leadership Provided 

• Routinely provides work group leadership, guidance, and/or training to less experienced staff. May act as team lead on large projects.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully.  It is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge of urban planning, building and permitting processes, neighborhood development, and economic development principles.
• Knowledge of innovative practices for neighborhood commercial development.
• Demonstrated creative ability in programmatic design, including the ability to design and launch programs independently as well as adapt and improve existing programming.
• Familiarity with grant funding sources, both public and private.
• Experience writing policy and knowledge of the legislative process.
• Ability to manage complex projects and work with a team to achieve results.
• Ability to work collaboratively to arrive at constructive solutions.
• Strong ability to communicate verbally, in writing, and through drawing. Strong presentation skills.
• Expert community engagement capabilities.
• Strong sense of graphic design in layout, organization and communication of design ideas.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, public policy, public administration, economics, or related field (Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution or the required degree on an exception basis). 

5-7 years of progressive project management experience in a related field, including 3 years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Education & Experience

Master’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, public policy, public administration, economics, or related field (Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis). 

7+ years of progressive project management experience in a related field, including 5 years of supervisory experience.

Licensures and Certifications 

None