Economic Development Manager

Understanding that people are the foundation for success, the City of Irvine offers a workplace culture that embraces Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity. Apply your passion for public service in the City of Irvine, nationally ranked for safety, educational institutions, business enterprises, and quality of life, by joining our One Irvine team!

Irvine's leadership believes passionately that in order to be a truly effective organization capable of living out its mission, the City must always start with a focus on people. When we collaborate together, we continue to improve services and expand our thinking to bring new ideas to life and serve the Irvine community. With this in mind, we are seeking an innovative leader to serve as the next Economic Development Manager.

An opportunity to enhance our city's quality of life through creativity and economic vitality!

Can you imagine being part of a leadership team that truly embraces authenticity and a can-do attitude? Are you someone with a mindset to do the common things uncommonly well to create a real difference? Do you have a history of implementing creative, out of the box ideas? This is your chance to utilize your talents to cultivate an innovative business development approach to enrich the quality of life and economic vitality in the diverse community of Irvine.

Overview of the Position

The City of Irvine seeks an Economic Development Manager to implement strategies that will seed new business and accelerate the growth of existing businesses in support of our burgeoning city. The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker with an uncanny ability to partner with Irvine's prestigious business community and foster strong working relationships with key stakeholders, non-profits, regulators, and allied public agencies to attract and retain businesses in new ways. The Manager will have experience with economic development, business and workforce development, program management, and grant oversight. This is a unique opportunity for a candidate who is looking to serve a city that is laser focused on offering an exceptional quality of life.

This position will report directly to the Assistant City Manager and oversee a small team that provides economic development support from concept to completion. The Economic Development Manager will foster an internal culture and environment that bolsters creativity and innovative business growth. As an important liaison between the business community, and the City, and a cultivator / convener of Irvine's Innovation Ecosystem the ideal candidate will identify and implement strategies to attract and retain businesses in Irvine. This position will develop a data-driven approach to economic growth, drawing on multiple sources to inform strategic and targeted programs that will cultivate a vibrant business ecosystem, foster economic growth, and drive City revenue.

Your Impact

Business Attraction, Retention, and Expansion

• Identify, attract, and retain targeted businesses and investments aligned with the City's strategic vision and economic goals.
• Develop and manage policies and programs to support business growth and relocation within Irvine.
• Serve as a liaison to local organizations, developers, and real estate professionals to facilitate new business establishment and expansion.

Workforce and Talent Development

• Develop and oversee local workforce development programs, including recruitment, training, and retraining initiatives to meet the needs of local employers.
• Collaborate with the Orange County Workforce Development Board to implement strategies that lower unemployment and support sustainable economic growth.

Strategic Planning and Policy Development

• Lead the creation and implementation of comprehensive economic development strategies.
• Monitor and analyze economic trends, legislative developments, and local market data to inform policy and program recommendations.

Project and Program Management

• Plan, implement, and monitor complex economic development projects.
• Prepare and administer requests for proposals (RFPs), contracts, and grant applications to secure funding for key initiatives.
• Track project performance and report on outcomes to City leadership and stakeholders.

Community Engagement and Marketing

• Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote Irvine as a business-friendly destination.
• Organize and manage City-sponsored special events, sponsorships, and public presentations to engage the community and showcase economic development efforts.
• Build coalitions with local, regional, and state economic development organizations and chambers of commerce.

Business Assistance and Support Services

• Provide direct support to businesses for site selection, permitting, financing, and workforce recruitment.
• Coordinate rapid response and recovery services for businesses impacted by economic disruptions or emergencies.

Find additional information in the Economic Development Manager job description.

To be considered for this position, please complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter. The deadline to apply is May 19, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in public administration, Business Administration, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Finance, Economics or closely related field. Six (6) years of increasingly responsible management or supervisory experience in complex program administration, acquisition or other general administration of complex functions, preferably in a municipal government development environment, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Best Fit

• Need to have the ability to facilitate and collaborate among multiple stakeholders.
• Proactive approach with a demonstrated ability to define and achieve goals, both independently and within a team setting.
• Exceptional professional judgment and strong report writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Personal integrity and dedication to excellent customer service.
• Strategic, innovative, and creative, with the ability to develop new approaches, programs, and policies.
• Adaptable and flexible to changing needs.
• Experience presenting to City Council and working with elected officials and municipal management, both internal and external to the City.
• Political acumen and the ability to manage change and foster effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals.
• Exhibit critical thinking, sound judgment, and strong decision-making skills.

Your Team

The City Manager's Office is responsible for the implementation of decisions established by the Irvine City Council and the coordination of those efforts through the various City departments. The City Manager's Office includes legislative support, policy implementation, budget development and strategic planning, economic development, health and wellness, elections, communication services, and legal service functions of the City. In addition, the office provides leadership for the operational departments.

The City Manager's Office assists the City Council in the development and formulation of policies, goals and objectives, and keeps them informed of important community issues. It provides administrative direction to the City's executive directors and is responsible for managing the activities and operations of the City, ensuring the provision of quality services. The City Manager's Office is also responsible for representing the City's interests throughout the region and beyond through coordination of international activities, receiving foreign officials, and promoting business development with foreign countries.

City of Irvine

The City of Irvine is a Charter City operating under a Council/ Manager form of government. Its nine departments include Administrative Services, City Manager's Office, City Clerk's Office, Community Development, Communications & Engagement, Community Services, Human Resources, Public Safety, and Public Works & Sustainability. Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized City, with a population of over 320,000 that spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America's safest and most successfully master-planned urban communities. In 2021, Irvine was the fastest-growing city in California and is now the 13th-largest city in the State by population. Irvine is home to over 19,000 businesses and several robust industry clusters, including life sciences, information technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and digital arts and media. Top-rated educational institutions like UC Irvine, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion all contribute to Irvine's high quality of life. This family-friendly City features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields, and dedicated open space and is the home of Great Park. Other notable attractions include the Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine Barclay Theatre, and Bommer Canyon.

The Process

The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions within the organization's similar and/or lower classifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first.