Listing Summary

Overview.  The City of Tucker, Georgia, located in the Metro Atlanta Region, has launched an executive search for a Director of Economic Development to join the leadership team. The Chason Group has been retained to assist the city with the process.

The director will work closely with local, regional, and state partners to provide the community with growth opportunities and quality work opportunities.  Attracting new businesses and retaining and expanding existing business for the City of Tucker will also be a key component for the position. This professional will be responsible implementing the adopted Economic Development Strategic Plan and staffing the Tucker Development Authority.

 

About Tucker.  "Location, Location, Location!" Tucker, Georgia, located along Interstate 285 and Highway 78, covers 20 square miles of area on both the inside and outside of the Perimeter with excellent transportation access, an incredible park network, a vibrant business community, and engaged citizens.  The city is a suburb of Atlanta and located in DeKalb County. The location allows residents access to all that Atlanta has to offer, while providing a family friendly, relatively affordable place to live, with great schools, healthcare access and something for everyone in regard to entertainment.

Tucker offers a bustling downtown, a park system with hundreds of acres of land to enjoy, and a very strong arts community. It is home to a variety of acclaimed shops and restaurants, award-winning public schools and one of the most diverse business climates in Georgia. Tucker is known for its charming historic Main Street but also boasts multiple industrial areas that are home to major corporations like Briggs & Stratton, SteelMart, Hormel, Sugar Bowl Bakery, Siemens, Ricoh and PepsiCo, who recently invested $180 million with their expansion. The city is located less than 30 miles from the world's busiest airport offering convenient travel for business travelers and out-of-town executives.

Tucker is home to many small businesses and is a premier "live, work, play" community. Tucker offers its workforce a wide array of housing options ranging from newly constructed single-family homes and town homes, to spacious one acre lots.

 

Economic Development in the City of Tucker.  The City of Tucker is focused on promoting economic development for the community with a holistic approach. The City supports the strong industrial corridor; focuses resources on the burgeoning downtown; and promoting small to large businesses. Our economic development department works to ensure a clear and efficient permitting process for our industries.

Tucker has a robust industrial corridor, a rapidly redeveloping mixed-use district at Northlake, including Emory Healthcare at Northlake Mall, and new residential developments underway. The Tucker Downtown Development Authority focuses on the economic development of downtown Tucker and the Main Street area, as well as Northlake and major commercial corridors.

 

About the Director of Economc Development Position.  Tucker is a dynamic business community that requires a professional who is excited and comfortable with working on municipal economic development issues by leveraging CID partners, providing excellent customer service and implementing an Economic Development Strategic Plan. The location and reputation of the city make it a highly desirable area for business prospects to consider. The leadership of the City of Tucker is dedicated to economic development and sustaining the exceptional quality of life enjoyed by the residents of the city.

The Director of Economic Development will be the economic development representative for the city at downtown events, workforce development events, and business community meetings.  This position is the primary staff liaison with the Tucker Downtown Development Authority (TDA) and will work closely with them on economic development opportunities.

The director will research and implement programs to recruit and expand business and participate in and support efforts for economic development and redevelopment for the area. The leader will work with other members of the City of Tucker team to attain the strategic goals of the city. The work of this position will require a dynamic professional that can manage several projects simultaneously while meeting set deadlines. The director shall have exceptional communication skills to effectively work with various stakeholders in the region. The professional will represent the City of Tucker at local, regional, and state events and maintain a positive, enthusiastic image. The position is responsible for marketing, promotion, public relations, and program development to attract potential businesses for the city. The professional will collaborate with other community partners such as the Tucker Downtown Development Authority, Tucker Business Association, Old Town Tucker Merchants Association, Tucker-Northlake CID, Tucker Summit CID, Decide Dekalb, Discover Dekalb, Dekalb Chamber, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  The position is also responsible for educating and ensuring compliance of local code and ordinance for businesses. The director will gather and maintain data and present reports on the local economy and business development.

 

Skill Requirements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Strong understanding of economic development principles, business operations, real estate and finance.
• Marketing, public and community relation skills.
• Extraordinary people skills.

 

Position Requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in the area(s) of economic development, community development, public relations, public administration, business and/or marketing from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience.
• Three years of executive leadership experience in the business, economic development and/or community development field, chamber of commerce, or a combination of these, is preferred.
• Understanding of tax abatements, commercial real estate and affordable housing is preferred.
• A proven tenure in leading an organization and / or department through visionary growth and meaningful change to improve the business environment of the community.
• An innovative, creative, and strategic thinker who has experience in developing relevant initiatives and goals.
• Experienced team builder and leader who will effectively represent the City of Tucker in many environments.
• A proven track record of successfully collaborating with economic development organizations, governments, and community stakeholders.
• Preferred – experience in determining best use of properties within a city; clear understanding of zoning, restrictions, and regulations pertaining to ordinances.

 

How to Apply.  The City of Tucker has retained TCG to lead the executive search process. Professionals interested in applying for the Director of Economic Development position may upload a cover letter and a copy of their resume at www.thechasongroup.com to be considered for the position.  The most qualified candidates will receive a detailed application to determine if an interview is required.  The deadline for submitting the initial materials is January 24, 2025.  Candidates will be reviewed by TCG utilizing a weighting scale approved by the City of Tucker.  Candidates chosen to move forward in the process must complete a detailed application and an interview process. For more information, contact Tim Chason at 404.735.0540 or tchason@thechasongroup.com or Mark Lytle at 470.279.9388 or mlytle@thechasongroup.com.