Director of Development

The Director of Development will supervise, manage and be responsible for the affairs of the Division of Development and will perform the following duties (including but not limited to).

Typical Work Activities

(a) Supervise, manage and be responsible for the affairs of the division of development; 

(b) Prepare and submit departmental applications to federal and state agencies; 

(c) Supervise real estate acquisition as may be required to implement department programs; 

(d) Supervise demolition and construction of public works within federally or non-federally assisted renewal projects sponsored by the city or the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency; 

(e) Be responsible for carrying out all city relocation activities; have uniform relocation procedures; manage and maintain occupied properties acquired by the city of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, while the occupants are being relocated; administer relocation payment claims and prepare required reports and programs for relocation; 

(f) Develop the programs and procedures for implementation of the above responsibilities to ensure sequential control of all community development departmental activities; 

(g) Identify economic problems and opportunities in the city and develop relevant policy responses for the Mayor, Common Council and Executive Director of Strategic Planning;

(h) Establish and maintain contact with industrial and manufacturing businesses within the city, assist them in their dealings with the city government, and provide them with information on state and federal assistance programs; 

(i) Provide relevant market and site data for industrial and major commercial developers; and 

(j) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon the director by the Executive Director of Strategic Planning or by any provision of the City Charter or by any general law, ordinance or federal law.

Performs related duties as required.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of economic development;

Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws and policies governing economic development;

Good knowledge of the geographic, social and economic structure of the City of Buffalo;

Good knowledge of principles and processes involved in organizational and strategic planning;

Ability to prepare and manage applications for grants, contracts, etc.;

Ability to develop policies and procedures;

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;

Ability to structure issues and facts for public presentation and policy decisions;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state and local agencies, the private sector and other personnel;

Well-organized and efficient;

Integrity; tact; resourcefulness; initiative; good address;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Preferred Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in economics, urban development, planning, public administration, or related professional fields, and two years of full-time experience in planning and/or programming or related fields;

OR

Qualifications reasonably equivalent that are acceptable to the Executive Director of Strategic Planning. 

Note:  Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements.  Proof of education must be presented at time of appointment.