Description

Organizational Summary  

Sault Ste. Marie is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the St. Marys River, which forms the international boundary between the United States and Canada.  For many generations, Native American Peoples would gather at the rapids of the St. Marys River in present-day Sault Ste. Marie to fish for whitefish.  Sault Ste. Marie’s European history began in 1668 when Father Marquette established a mission at Sault Ste. Marie, making this community Michigan’s oldest European settlement.  Today, Sault Ste. Marie is a City of approximately 14,300 people governed by a Council – Manager form of local government.  The EDC Executive Director is a position appointed by the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Corporation. The City of Sault Ste. Marie has supported the EDC with secure funding for over 30 years. 

Mission Statement 

The City of Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has a mission to stimulate growth and community development, to attract new commercial and manufacturing business to the area and to support entrepreneurs, early and second-stage companies by facilitating product development, commercialization activities, and strategic partnerships. The Sault EDC has objectives that range from business attraction, retention, expansion, development, and incubation. Strategic services are offered as an incentive to new and existing businesses to create business growth. 

General Purpose

Under the direction of the City Manager and Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors (which is comprised of nine members) the Executive Director serves the EDC and also supports the City’s Tax Increment Finance Authority, and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. It is the role of the Executive Director to direct and coordinate the activities of the EDC in promoting and encouraging economic development encompassed with the retention and expansion in the city. 

Supervision Received

Work is conducted under the direction of the EDC Board of Directors. The EDC Executive Director works collaboratively with the City Manager and City staff to ensure coordination of economic development initiatives and alignment with community priorities. Daily work assignments are performed independently according to established goals, policies, procedures, and practices with minimal supervision. The employee must be a self-starter capable of exercising sound judgment and initiative.

Supervision Exercised

Direct supervision will be exercised over the EDC Executive Assistant and any interns or volunteers assigned to support the Department. The Executive Director is responsible for providing direction, assigning work, and ensuring effective performance of assigned personnel.

 General Responsibilities

 Under the direction of the EDC Board of Directors, and in coordination with the City Manager and City staff, the EDC Executive Director will:

 Develop programs and policies.
Direct studies and the formulation of recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Develop, direct, and provide information to prospective clients and investors, acting as a key liaison between local government and private business.
Maintain current records and economic and demographic data, along with information on taxes and utilize/supply any other reasonable information needed by new or prospective clients as well as existing clients.
Coordinate all actives that will lead to an attraction, expansion, or retention of new business development.
Develop, promote, and maintain the City’s Industrial Parks.
Manage and promote the Industrial Incubator Building.
Manage other City buildings that from time to time may be committed to industrial use.
Manage and promote the Foreign Trade Zone.
Develop budgets to manage all of the economic resources under the jurisdiction of the EDC and preserve all financial reports and records. 
Act as the administrator of the Tax Increment Financing Authority, which includes maintaining and updating as necessary the Tax Increment Development Plans, including engineering studies, and with the City’s assistance, managing some construction contracts, financing arrangements, the issuance of Tax Increment Financing Bonds, and the filing of Treasury forms to the Michigan Department of Treasury. 
Act as administrator of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, including the recommended designation of Brownfield districts, the preparation of Brownfield Plans, and the administration of activities relating to the various programs relating to the Brownfield program, including the development of a City Revolving Loan Program and the coordination of Brownfield Tax Credits with MEDC. 
 

Typical Duties

Typical duties will require the Director to:

 Prepare and present complex reports, presentations, and emerging or sensitive issues to the City Manager, EDC Board, City Commission, and the general public. 
Schedule work, assign projects, establish priorities for the completion of projects, and ensure timely and cost-effective project completions. 
Conduct feasibility analyses, diagnose and correct field problems, collect and evaluate technical data, and provide solutions to technical issues. 
Direct work with various City departments, contractors, committees, and other private and governmental groups.
Work with various local, state, and federal agencies regarding obtaining and administrative grants, project administration, and compliance with various regulations. 
 

Peripheral Duties

Prepare and authorize EDC payroll and accounts payable for internal processing or processing by the City Finance Department.
Prepare budgets for all EDC related activities for the City during the budget development process.
Attend various staff and other meetings
Various office and administrative tasks.
Other duties as assigned by the EDC Board. 
 

Physical Requirements

Frequent standing, walking and sitting.
Frequent bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
Clear oral and written communication.
Ability to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Physical ability to safely move about and conduct work in various construction sites, buildings, or indoor and outdoor locations with or without reasonable accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act.  
Ability to withstand varied weather conditions, temperature changes, traffic hazards and varying noise levels. 
Occasional overnight travel will be required.

Requirements

Education/ Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Finance, Urban Planning, Engineering, Economics, or a related field is preferred. MEDA Economic Development Basic Course completion and CEcD certification preferred. 
Position involves multi-tasking on a wide variety of community issues and requires an extremely high attention to detail and focus on results.
Technical writing skills sufficient to prepare project specifications, requests for proposals, process evaluation and documentation, and communications suitable for external distribution. 
Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software. 
Experience in program planning, organization principles, budget preparation, labor and cost control, and contract administration. 
Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an economic or community development professional or equivalent position with direct experience in attraction, retention, and expansion of manufacturing and industrial development. Must be knowledgeable and have had experience with various MEDC programs and tools such as Brownfield Redevelopment, Tax Increment Financing, Industrial Revenue Bonds, Industrial Tax Abatements, ACT 328, CDBG grant programs, etc. 
The ideal candidate will demonstrate maturity, sound logic, and reasoning capabilities, along with a strong special analysis skills and computer proficiency.