This role is a political appointment and serves at the discretion of the mayor. The Director of Community Development is entrusted with exercising sound judgement, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in the daily operations implementing the vision of the administration. All tasks must adhere to City safety regulations, operating procedures, and comply with federal, state, and local laws.
Essential Functions:
· Lead and supervise departmental staff, ensuring efficient operations and execution of the vision and goals of the administration.
· Engage with the public, city personnel, and external stakeholders with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism while fostering effective working relationships with staff, the public, and other governmental agencies.
· Develop, coordinate, and manage community development projects involving public and private partnerships.
· Oversee the creation of new programs, assess effectiveness of existing ones, and adapt policies and procedures in line with changes in federal and state laws or from approving entities.
· Attends various meetings, prepare resolutions and ordinances, and analyzes data for the administration, city council and boards/commissions
· Prepare and oversee departmental budget, grant application, annual report, capital improvement plans, and various other reports and grant proposals.
· Strategize and Coordinate with other Leadership Team Members, especially with Director of Economic Development.
· Develop and implement programs to strengthen community opportunities by monitoring and coordinating various events and projects in collaboration with local and regional partners (e.g, ECFT, NHAT Parks, New Haven Chamber of Commerce).
· Create and manage programs that support community growth and advocate for those needing assistance from the city and other relevant agencies, aligning with the administration’s objectives.
· Cultivate and maintain relationships with essential stakeholders, community leaders, and neighborhood associations.
· Collaborate with schools, chambers, foundations, and other stakeholders to foster continuity, community pride and focus.
· Assist with MYAC
· Serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) for the city.
· Manages communication between businesses, community organizations, and the mayor’s office to foster positive relationships.
· Develop and execute a comprehensive media relation and communication strategy encompassing traditional and social media.
· Promote job opportunities, housing, and city services available in New Haven through social media, traditional media and website.
· Plan and execute press conferences, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and other public events.
· Coordinate interviews between organization members, stakeholder groups, and media outlets while maintaining a positive relationship with media.
· Plan and execute various community events, ensuring seamless coordination and organization from start to finish.
· Work with and Coordinate Neighborhood Associations
· Mange and update the City’s website, social media channels, and in-house video message board system(s).
· Assist with live streaming of city and community events.
· Apply for and manage grants, act as labor standards officer for federal grants.
City of New Haven Director of Community Development
· Conduct assessment to identify needs of the community and devise strategies to enhance community engagement in addressing those needs.
· Effective communication, both orally and in writing.
Qualifications:
· Incorporating federal, state, and local grants, loans, taxes, and all forms of public revenue with private resources.
· Understanding of state and municipal legislation.
· Extensive knowledge of standard accounting practices to interpret and implement grant and finance programs allowed by federal and state law.
· Extensive knowledge of mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to:
· Collect, interpret, and analyze data using spatial, predictive statistical analytics tools and methods.
· Develop new techniques and methods related to community development.
· Express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to write reports and grant applications, draft plans, give speeches, direct staff, and maintain coordination within the department.
· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, civic and business groups, City Administration, City Council, media, and the general public.
· Read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
· Respond to common inquiries or complaints from citizens, guests, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
· Effectively present information to City Leadership Team, public groups, elected officials, and/or boards of directors.
· Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Education & Experience:
· Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Communications, Public Administration or a related field required.
· Master's degree (M. A.) preferred.
· Five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in, Public Administration or a related field; in, Communications, Public Administration or a related field Or Equitable combination of education and experience
Physical Demands:
· Requires frequent sitting, and occasional standing or walking.
· May require lifting of up to 20lbs.
Other Demands:
· Valid Driver’s License required for use of City Vehicles
· Certified CDBG Administrator
Environmental Elements:
· The essential functions of this job are performed in an office setting. May require travel to and from local businesses and possible overnight travel for attendance at conferences/
· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Reports To:
Mayor and Chief of Staff
Employment type
Full-time
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