Assistant Director - Economic Development Department

Assistant Director - Economic Development Department

Salary

$92,221.00 Annually

Location

801 E. Gwinnett St. Savannah, GA

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

2603301

Department

Economic Development

Opening Date

07/14/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Purpose

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for strengthening communities, supporting local businesses, and driving sustainable economic growth? The City of Savannah is seeking an innovative and collaborative Assistant Director of Economic Development to help lead initiatives that create vibrant commercial corridors, expand economic opportunities, and foster an inclusive, resilient local economy.

In this leadership role, youll partner with businesses, community organizations, elected officials, and stakeholders to develop and implement transformative economic development strategies that encourage investment, support business retention and expansion, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life for Savannah residents. From overseeing key programs and grants to mentoring staff and advancing impactful initiatives, youll play an integral role in shaping the Citys economic future.

If youre an experienced professional who thrives on building partnerships, solving complex challenges, and creating meaningful community impact, we encourage you to join our team.

The new Assistant Director of Economic Developoment will assist in the direction and management of the functions of the Economic Development department. This position assists in developing and coordinating programs that help revitalize distressed commercial corridors, supports business creation and expansion, addresses barriers to economic growth, and supports a fair and diverse local economy for all.

We offer great pay, excellent benefits to include medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, home purchase assistance and 11 paid holidays!

Women, Minorities, and Veterans Are Encouraged to Apply!

Essential Job Functions

• Assists with managing, directing, training and evaluating all department staff; processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Assists in implementing and assessing department programs, services and performance for ensured compliance with any federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and/or standards as well as the city and department policies and procedures that may need to adhere to.
• Assists with managing the departmental and program budget(s) as well as any grants the department may have for successful execution and reporting in compliance with grantor's terms.
• Assesses business and community needs, develops and executes strategies to gain insight, designs and delivers relevant training opportunities while monitoring effectiveness to ensure delivery of high-quality services to increase individual and organizational capacity.
• Assists with the coordination, assignment and review of work and performance of staff; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions and gives advice and direction as may be needed.
• Prepares, reviews and edits departmental reports, presentations, publications, announcements and other documents to ensure the delivery of accurate, high-quality outputs.
• Participates in city, community, governmental, business and neighborhood meetings as well as serves on boards, committees and/or collaboratives where relevant that help build capacity for providing services and resources to residents/business community.
• Assists in developing and implementing a variety of plans, projects, programs, initiatives, and activities that deliver a high degree of economic development services to meet community needs and improve the operational climate for businesses and quality of life for our residents.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

This position requires a bachelor's degree in economics, business or public administration or related field (master's degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in economics, business development, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization, small and minority business development, local government incentive programs. The candidate can possess any equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this role.

Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledgeable in neighborhood revitalization and urban redevelopment practices and principles.
• Knowledgeable in collecting, managing, and analysis of economic data and performance data
• Knowledgeable in business development principles and practices
• Knowledgeable in asset development and wealth creation
• Knowledgeable of local, state, federal laws/regulations and city policies
• Knowledgeable of the local government's budgetary process and procedures
• The ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to collaborate in a team environment.
• Skill in developing short- and long-range work plans.
• Skill in public engagement processes and community outreach
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral presentation and written communication.

CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Overview of Benefits

Paid Holiday

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan

Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan

Retirement Seminars

PPO Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Wellness Programs

Health & Wellness Incentives

Long Term Disability

Excellence and Service Recognition

Employee Development and In-Service Training

Educational Assistance Program

Uniform Allowance (select positions)

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts and Memberships

Employee Relations

Direct Deposit

Credit Union

Pretax Parking Deductions

Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Healthcare

PPO Medical Plus Plan

PPO Medical Basic Plan

Dental Plus Plan

Dental Basic Plan

Vision Service Plan

Life Insurance

Basic Life and ADD

Supplemental Life Employee

Supplemental Life Spouse

Supplemental Life Child

Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.

01

Do you have valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a bachelor's degree in economics, business or public administration or related field (master's degree is preferred) supplemented by five (5) years of related experience in economics, business development, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization, small and minority business development, local government incentive programs?

• Yes
• No

03

Supplemental Question 1 Tell us about your experience in managing a commercial corridor revitalization project you've managed or played a key role in. What were the initial baseline conditions and how did you secure stakeholder buy-in?

04

Supplemental Question 2 Members of the public often need to understand complex economic impact analyses, but they arent economists. Can you share an example of how you translated dense economic data into a compelling narrative that drove a policy or project decision?

05

Supplemental Question 3 Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) is often said to be more critical than new business attractions. How do you structure a proactive BRE program, and what steps would you take if our data indicated a major local employer was at risk of relocating?

06

Supplemental Question 4 Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies, yet they often face systemic barriers to capital and space. What innovative programs would you champion to support minority-owned, women-owned, or early-stage businesses in our commercial districts?

07

Supplemental Question 5 As Assistant Director, you will often navigate competing priorities: developers seeking maximum incentives, residents demanding neighborhood amenities, and a city council focused on budget constraints. Walk us through a time you successfully managed these competing dynamics to get a project across the finish line?

08

Supplemental Question 6 What is the most effective incentive tool that you have had experience with? Why was/is it successful and what was your role in implementing it.

Required Question

Employer City of Savannah

Address 6600 Abercorn Street

Suite 100

Savannah, Georgia, 31405

Phone 912-651-6484

Website http://www.savannahga.gov