Assistant Director of Economic Development

Assistant Director of Economic Development

Salary

$98,684.72 - $123,617.10 Annually

Location

City Hall, 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

260900023

Department

City Managers Office

Division

Economic Development

Opening Date

10/02/2026

Closing Date

10/23/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

The Assistant Director of Economic Development performs complex professional work assisting the Director with the coordination of business development and retention efforts of the City, including managing business retention efforts, and marketing and communication for the Office. Works with substantial discretion and within broad parameters. Reports to the Director of Economic Development.

To learn more about the Citys Office of Economic Development and its current initiatives, please visit: https://www.charlottesville.gov/201/Economic-Development

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $98,684.72 - $123,617.10 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).

• Up to 40 hours of discretionary administrative leave per calendar year

• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.

• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays

• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

• Choice of retirement plan:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.

• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan.

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Assists the Director in the overall management of the office, including supervising and monitoring staff; coaching, training, and having substantial input on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluations, and work assignments.
• Assists the Director with budget preparation, reporting, and procurement.
• Manages, develops, and implements a successful business retention strategy, focused on assisting the growth of existing and new businesses; including a robust annual business visitation program, additional outreach efforts, and related programs.
• Represents the City and the Economic Development Office in the community and serves on various boards and commissions as assigned.
• Works with Director to lead targeted business attraction initiatives, in coordination with state and regional partners, to reach prospective companies through qualified business development leads.
• Supports the departments strategic planning efforts by assisting the Director with the development and implementation of policies, establishing priorities, aligning resources, and implementing initiatives that advance departmental and organizational goals.
• Builds and maintains professional and effective relationships with businesses to understand needs, opportunities, and concerns.
• Leads the departments research and data efforts, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting economic, demographic, market, and industry data to identify trend, inform strategic decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and communicate actionable insights to internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates effectiveness of programs and methods, and advises Director.
• Develops and manages the departments social media strategy, including content planning, creation, coordination, and performance monitoring, to increase engagement, promote department initiatives, and effectively communicate the communitys economic development story.
• Conducts and delivers promotional and informational presentations in support of the City's economic development efforts to appropriate audiences, including but not limited to businesses, city council, civic organizations, community partners, and others.
• Manages technology and data infrastructure to support business development and marketing within the department.
• Manages property database by analyzing real estate market trends and verifying opportunities within the marketplace.
• Represents economic development interests in policy and planning discussions with city staff, policymakers, and partners.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Analyzes commercial and industrial real estate market trends and transactions to assist with developing and promoting commercial sites.
• In the absence of the Director, oversees Economic Development Office operations.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in economics, finance, marketing, communications, business/public administration, urban planning, or a related field AND at least 3 years of experience working in economic development, small business initiatives, and/or marketing and events.

OR

• Associate's degree, or 60 or more college credits, from an accredited college/university in economics, finance, marketing, communications, business/public administration, urban planning, or a related field AND at least 5 years of experience working in economic development, small business initiatives, and/or marketing and events.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred:

• Experience with online Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, databases, and resources for economic and workforce development or other similar tools;
• Economic development training courses completed through IEDC or OU-EDI; CEcD certification.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of economic development.
• Knowledge of marketing and financial principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities and programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public business administration.
• Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex written materials such as books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. Ability to analyze market data and trends.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, and the public. Examples include contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Administrative Direction: normally completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. Overall results determine job performance. Requires ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Assists in budget preparation, has responsibility for monitoring a project or activity budget. May recommend budget allocations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assists the Director in supervising, training, coaching, and monitoring performance for a regular group of employees or department. Input carries substantial weight or makes final decisions on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluation and work assignments.

Other Characteristics

• Time pressures.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, time management and customer service skills.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated, and/or upset individuals.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
• Must constantly move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

How many years of professional experience do you have in economic development, small business development/initiatives, and/or marketing and event management? (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)

• No experience related to this position.
• Less than three (3) years.
• Three (3) to less than five (5) years.
• Five (5) to less than seven (7) years.
• Seven (7) years or greater.

02

Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed: (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section of your online application.)

• Bachelors degree or higher
• Associates degree
• 60 or more college credits, from an accredited college/university
• None of the above

03

This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid drivers license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record. Do you possess a valid drivers license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

• Yes; I possess a valid drivers license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid drivers license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; I do not have a valid drivers license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

04

Do you have any of the following? Select all that apply.

• Experience using CRM platforms, databases, or similar tools for economic or workforce development
• IEDC economic development training
• OU-EDI economic development training
• CEcD certification
• None of the above

05

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

06

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Charlottesville

Address P. O. Box 911

605 East Main Street

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone (434) 970-3490

Website http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs