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NEOGOV · 5 months ago

Mayor’s Chief Economic Development Officer / Economic Development Director

San Jose

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$160K/yr - $255K/yr

10+ years exp

NEOGOV is seeking a mission-driven, highly skilled professional to serve as the Chief Economic Development Officer/Economic Development Director for the City of San José. This high-impact role focuses on economic development, land use, cultural affairs, and revitalizing downtown, while advising the Mayor on key policy decisions that impact economic growth and urban development.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

No H1B

Responsibilities

Develops, recommends, and implements key land use, cultural affairs, and economic development policies that reflect the Mayor’s vision and priorities

Drafts complex Council memoranda, legislative proposals, and public communications to advance these goals

Monitors and analyzes major public policy issues including land use, development, arts, tourism, and economic initiatives at the local, regional, and national levels

Tracks key development applications and trends, and ensures the Mayor is appropriately briefed on City policies, programs, and fiscal matters

Leads or supports strategic initiatives related to major 2026 national and international sporting events, downtown revitalization, workforce development, arts and culture expansion, and modernization of San José’s development processes

Manages the Mayor’s Economic Development Portfolio, supervises the Mayor’s Economic Development Policy Advisor, and represents the Mayor in stakeholder meetings, public hearings, civic functions, and industry roundtables

Interfaces regularly with the development, real estate, arts, culture, tourism, and business communities to identify opportunities and challenges

Leads or supports business retention and appreciation efforts through site visits, engagement strategies, and collaboration with the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs

Convenes and coordinates cross-departmental teams to address entitlements, permitting, infrastructure, and incentive structures, while proactively removing bottlenecks and championing project progress

Coordinates with external organizations to host events and fundraisers that support San José’s economic, cultural, and civic ecosystems

Supports community engagement efforts by facilitating stakeholder feedback, building coalitions, and aligning messaging across neighborhoods, advocacy groups, and City partners

Uses sound political judgment to balance competing priorities and ensure consistent and inclusive communication

Coordinates with communications staff to elevate key milestones, frame public messaging, and respond to emerging issues

Maintains strong working relationships with Council Offices, City Departments, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment and collaboration

Demonstrates flexibility, initiative, and responsiveness to dynamic priorities and high-stakes opportunities

Qualification

Economic DevelopmentUrban PlanningPublic PolicyStakeholder EngagementBilingual SkillsProject ManagementJudgmentWritten CommunicationOral CommunicationOrganizational Skills

Required

Any combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Mayor on matters of public policy

Possession of a valid California Driver's license is required

Five (5) or more years of relevant experience to be considered for the Mayor's Economic Development Director

Ten (10) or more years of relevant experience to be considered for the Mayor's Chief Economic Development Officer

Experience working for an elected official at the federal, state, or local level or as a public or private sector manager, and five (5) or more years of professional Economic Development or Urban Planning experience

Preferred

A Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university, preferably in the field of Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration

A Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration is strongly preferred

Demonstrate a history of receiving progressively increasing responsibilities and documented success at each level

Possess experience managing complex projects and/or interdepartmental teams

Have reported directly to or worked alongside an organization's senior leadership team

Bilingual skills: oral and written proficiency with languages such as Spanish or Vietnamese highly preferred

Excellent project management skills

Ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to exercise sound judgment in developing, analyzing, and evaluating various programs and services

Strong and effective organizational skills

Ability to thrive and succeed in a high-energy, fast-paced environment