This job is archived
Director - Community Development & Strategic Initiatives
Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Job Summary
Occupation
Business Development
Specialty
Director
Location
Hybrid remote in Trenton, New Jersey, New Jersey, United States
Visa Sponsorship
No
Job Description
Last Update:
1/11/24
Overview:
Job Summary
This position is responsible for the strategic direction of all placemaking initiatives and the preliminary financial analysis of tax credit programs under the Community Development Department. This position will lead the team in managing products from conception to closing and work cross divisional within NJEDA to effectively launch new products. Under the supervision of the Managing Director of Community Development, areas of oversight may include but are not limited to strategic initiatives to serve communities or industries throughout NJ, cannabis industry initiatives, targeted support for the arts, and the creation and administration of planning grants. The director will support staff to successfully administer Community Development products to ensure the department can provide analytic support on initiatives including but not limited to financing, tax credit incentives, real estate analysis, and business development when needed to market and promote products.
$115,113 - $127,903
Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.
Responsibilities:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Advise the Vice President & Managing Director of Community Development and other key leaders on real estate, tax credit incentives, and development efforts. Direct oversight of the Community Development & Strategic Initiatives Team.
Deep knowledge of local governments and how to directly support targeted community and economic development initiatives. Create a department outreach plan, identify goals, and tasks to ensure NJEDA staff is effectively complete such task to support local governments throughout the state.
Knowledge of sound incentives, real estate underwriting principles and industry standards for site preparation of commercial and mixed-use projects.
Works directly with staff to oversee various products and initiatives including but not limited to, grants, state-specific analyses, planning efforts, targeted industry support, and reviews of private industry and other efforts in economic development and urban planning.
Leads a team to focus on products that may serve a new targeted industry to the State of NJ, this may include efforts for the Cannabis Industry, Arts and Placemaking initiatives. Leads the team to understand industry research in products that NJ could offer, also prepare those products for program creation, board approval, product launch, and processing of applications in an efficient and effective manner while engaging with cross divisional support.
Identify the needs for challenge grants, planning grants, and how programs can service targeted cities. Ensure staff can stand up and administer programs to service these needs.
Identify partnerships throughout the state to help NJEDA better assist cities.
Serve as a subject matter expert relating to economic and community development strategies.
Direct staff on how to establish and maintain targeted and local partnerships within State Government (such as DEP, NJRA, HMFA, DCA, LWD, etc.) and New Jersey municipalities and counties.
Aware of current initiatives outside the Authority that support targeted initiatives throughout the state related to urban redevelopment, strategic and creative placemaking, rehabilitation of blighted buildings and vacant land, complete streets, and central business districts.
Support the Managing Director of Community Development by partnering with relevant stakeholders to ensure policies are developed and advanced to support EDAs mission and commitment to transparency and fiduciary accountability. Stakeholders include the Governors Office, elected officials, sister agencies, business trade organizations, and members of the public.
Assign staff to track and review legislative and regulatory issues pertinent to economic development and urban revitalization, particularly at the State level.
Promote teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer-focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers.
Support/lead and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Under the direction of the Managing Director, will work with Public Affairs to develop and execute the EDAs communications and outreach strategy for Community Development & Strategic Initiatives. Collaborate to prepare materials for target audiences and identify opportunities to engage policy makers and highlight the initiatives research.
Ensures department practices and processes, policies, and procedures are in compliance with EDA policies and guidelines and are consistently applied.
Builds, develops, mentors, and coaches direct reports to develop skills and behaviors to enhance performance. Sets staff goals and objectives, reviews staff semi-annually and annually against individual plans. Develops and implements training and succession plans for the team.
Must complete annual and semi-annual self-assessment as required.
Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned
Qualifications:
Required Skills and Abilities
Deep knowledge and direct experience with NJ local governments and project approval process
Ability to review and analyze cost benefit analyses, real estate development pro formas, gap analyses and net benefit models used in connection with the EDA incentive programs
Knowledge of accounting principles, tax returns, income, balance sheet, cash flow analysis, and personal financial statements
Ability to manage multiple projects at one time in an effective manner while maintaining compliance
Must possess experience in underwriting of real estate transactions for commercial development in NJ that have utilized prevailing wage
Must have effective communication skills and business writing skills
Must be able to effectively meet with customers, evaluate development strategies and projects, and assess management adequacy
Direct experience in the NJ real estate development and business attraction/retention segment
Knowledge and ability to function with and within municipal, state, and federal programs
Ability to initiate new concepts and follow through on current projects
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff
Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers
NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
Passion for EDAs mission
Customer focused
A strong understanding of the strengths and limitations of economic development strategies and theories and analysis of market externalities.
In-depth knowledge of policies and procedures needed to stand up new projects, including ability to work with legal, legislative, procurement, and servicing officers.
Experience researching economic development best practices and associated enabling/governing legislation.
Experience with Federal funding sources utilized in facilitating large catalytic projects that could supplement State programs.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead research and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to write clearly, and work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team of lawyers, researchers, communications staff, and senior management.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of economic and community development.
Exceptional written, oral and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of stakeholders, including senior managements, EDA Board of Directors, staff, government officials, business and industry partners, as well as individual customers and prospects.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelors degree in Economics, Accounting, Public Policy, Real Estate, Planning and/or equivalent professional experience
7-10 years of prior experience working in economic or community development entity or department.
Minimum of at least 5 years in an underwriting position.
Masters degree preferred and may be substituted for 1 year of experience
Physical Demands
Minimal
Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed
Travel
As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.
Certificates and Licenses Required
License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.
This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.
NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
NJ SAME Program
Position Requirements
Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
Must comply with the New Jersey First Act which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
#LI-EROD
#LI-Hybrid
Job Summary
This position is responsible for the strategic direction of all placemaking initiatives and the preliminary financial analysis of tax credit programs under the Community Development Department. This position will lead the team in managing products from conception to closing and work cross divisional within NJEDA to effectively launch new products. Under the supervision of the Managing Director of Community Development, areas of oversight may include but are not limited to strategic initiatives to serve communities or industries throughout NJ, cannabis industry initiatives, targeted support for the arts, and the creation and administration of planning grants. The director will support staff to successfully administer Community Development products to ensure the department can provide analytic support on initiatives including but not limited to financing, tax credit incentives, real estate analysis, and business development when needed to market and promote products.
$115,113 - $127,903
Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.
Responsibilities:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Advise the Vice President & Managing Director of Community Development and other key leaders on real estate, tax credit incentives, and development efforts. Direct oversight of the Community Development & Strategic Initiatives Team.
Deep knowledge of local governments and how to directly support targeted community and economic development initiatives. Create a department outreach plan, identify goals, and tasks to ensure NJEDA staff is effectively complete such task to support local governments throughout the state.
Knowledge of sound incentives, real estate underwriting principles and industry standards for site preparation of commercial and mixed-use projects.
Works directly with staff to oversee various products and initiatives including but not limited to, grants, state-specific analyses, planning efforts, targeted industry support, and reviews of private industry and other efforts in economic development and urban planning.
Leads a team to focus on products that may serve a new targeted industry to the State of NJ, this may include efforts for the Cannabis Industry, Arts and Placemaking initiatives. Leads the team to understand industry research in products that NJ could offer, also prepare those products for program creation, board approval, product launch, and processing of applications in an efficient and effective manner while engaging with cross divisional support.
Identify the needs for challenge grants, planning grants, and how programs can service targeted cities. Ensure staff can stand up and administer programs to service these needs.
Identify partnerships throughout the state to help NJEDA better assist cities.
Serve as a subject matter expert relating to economic and community development strategies.
Direct staff on how to establish and maintain targeted and local partnerships within State Government (such as DEP, NJRA, HMFA, DCA, LWD, etc.) and New Jersey municipalities and counties.
Aware of current initiatives outside the Authority that support targeted initiatives throughout the state related to urban redevelopment, strategic and creative placemaking, rehabilitation of blighted buildings and vacant land, complete streets, and central business districts.
Support the Managing Director of Community Development by partnering with relevant stakeholders to ensure policies are developed and advanced to support EDAs mission and commitment to transparency and fiduciary accountability. Stakeholders include the Governors Office, elected officials, sister agencies, business trade organizations, and members of the public.
Assign staff to track and review legislative and regulatory issues pertinent to economic development and urban revitalization, particularly at the State level.
Promote teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer-focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers.
Support/lead and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Under the direction of the Managing Director, will work with Public Affairs to develop and execute the EDAs communications and outreach strategy for Community Development & Strategic Initiatives. Collaborate to prepare materials for target audiences and identify opportunities to engage policy makers and highlight the initiatives research.
Ensures department practices and processes, policies, and procedures are in compliance with EDA policies and guidelines and are consistently applied.
Builds, develops, mentors, and coaches direct reports to develop skills and behaviors to enhance performance. Sets staff goals and objectives, reviews staff semi-annually and annually against individual plans. Develops and implements training and succession plans for the team.
Must complete annual and semi-annual self-assessment as required.
Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned
Qualifications:
Required Skills and Abilities
Deep knowledge and direct experience with NJ local governments and project approval process
Ability to review and analyze cost benefit analyses, real estate development pro formas, gap analyses and net benefit models used in connection with the EDA incentive programs
Knowledge of accounting principles, tax returns, income, balance sheet, cash flow analysis, and personal financial statements
Ability to manage multiple projects at one time in an effective manner while maintaining compliance
Must possess experience in underwriting of real estate transactions for commercial development in NJ that have utilized prevailing wage
Must have effective communication skills and business writing skills
Must be able to effectively meet with customers, evaluate development strategies and projects, and assess management adequacy
Direct experience in the NJ real estate development and business attraction/retention segment
Knowledge and ability to function with and within municipal, state, and federal programs
Ability to initiate new concepts and follow through on current projects
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff
Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers
NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
Passion for EDAs mission
Customer focused
A strong understanding of the strengths and limitations of economic development strategies and theories and analysis of market externalities.
In-depth knowledge of policies and procedures needed to stand up new projects, including ability to work with legal, legislative, procurement, and servicing officers.
Experience researching economic development best practices and associated enabling/governing legislation.
Experience with Federal funding sources utilized in facilitating large catalytic projects that could supplement State programs.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead research and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to write clearly, and work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team of lawyers, researchers, communications staff, and senior management.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of economic and community development.
Exceptional written, oral and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of stakeholders, including senior managements, EDA Board of Directors, staff, government officials, business and industry partners, as well as individual customers and prospects.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelors degree in Economics, Accounting, Public Policy, Real Estate, Planning and/or equivalent professional experience
7-10 years of prior experience working in economic or community development entity or department.
Minimum of at least 5 years in an underwriting position.
Masters degree preferred and may be substituted for 1 year of experience
Physical Demands
Minimal
Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed
Travel
As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.
Certificates and Licenses Required
License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.
This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.
NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
NJ SAME Program
Position Requirements
Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
Must comply with the New Jersey First Act which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
#LI-EROD
#LI-Hybrid