ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
City of San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, United States
Be part of a city delivering real economic impact - now hiring: Economic Development & Public Affairs Director!
The City of San Marcos is seeking an Economic Development & Public Affairs Director to lead economic development efforts that drive investment and deliver measurable results for the community.
Why this role matters Economic development in San Marcos is guided by data, strategy, and a focus on measurable outcomes. With a Strategic Economic Development Plan underway, this role is central to ensuring that priorities are implemented effectively and produce meaningful outcomes for the community.
You will lead the execution of the city’s economic development strategy by using market data, industry analysis, and fiscal insight to guide decisions, attract targeted investment, and move projects forward. Working across departments, you will help ensure development opportunities progress with clarity, coordination, and momentum.
This role is defined by implementation and impact. Success is reflected in measurable outcomes, including job creation, tax base growth, and strategic development aligned with community priorities.
This is your chance to:
Turn economic development strategy into measurable results
Shape and advance a strong pipeline of development and business opportunities
Use data and market intelligence to guide high-impact decisions
Partner across the organization to move projects efficiently from concept to completion
Deliver visible outcomes that strengthen the city’s long-term economic future
Recruitment timeline
Applications accepted through 4:00 p.m. April 30
Well-qualified applicants will be invited to a panel interview the week of May 11
Final candidates will meet with city leadership the week of May 18
The ideal candidate will be able to: Advance measurable economic progress The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a central role in advancing the city’s economic priorities by shaping conditions that support business growth, investment, and redevelopment aligned with the city’s priorities.
The outcomes associated with this work include:
Job creation and retention within the community
Growth and diversification of the city’s tax base
Attraction and expansion of targeted industries
Activation and development of key sites
Navigate and deliver projects within a complex municipal environment The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director must be highly effective at working within a municipal system to move projects forward.
Key experience includes:
Building strong, trust-based relationships across Planning, Development Services, Finance, and city leadership
Understanding and navigating internal processes, constraints, and competing priorities
Identifying and resolving barriers that may delay or prevent development projects
Facilitating coordination across departments to ensure development projects aligned with city priorities are moved efficiently from concept to completion
Advance and operationalize the city’s economic development strategy The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a key role in translating the city’s economic development strategy into actionable priorities and real-world progress. This includes both implementing the current strategic plan and adapting it over time based on market conditions, opportunities, and city priorities.
Key responsibilities in this area include:
Translating strategic priorities into clear initiatives, workplans, and near-term actions
Coordinating across departments to advance priority projects and initiatives
Aligning development activity with the city’s broader economic goals and community vision
Identifying opportunities to refine or evolve the strategy based on emerging trends and project experience
Use data and market insight to inform decisions Effective economic development requires the ability to use data and market insight to guide priorities, evaluate opportunities, and support sound decision-making.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working with a range of analytical inputs, including:
Market and industry trends
Labor force and demographic data
Fiscal and economic impact analyses
Track progress and communicate results Effective economic development requires clear visibility into development activity, progress, and emerging opportunities.
Key responsibilities include:
Establishing clear and practical metrics to track development activity, project pipelines, and progress over time
Monitoring key projects and initiatives, including status, milestones, and potential economic impacts
Providing regular, concise updates to leadership and stakeholders that highlight progress, key developments, and what’s ahead
Build and leverage strong relationships to support well-planned and strategically aligned development The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director builds and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with developers, business leaders, and regional partners, and leverages those relationships to support successful development outcomes.
The city is committed to providing high-quality, responsive support to development partners, helping them navigate city processes clearly and efficiently.
Key responsibilities include:
Building and maintaining productive relationships with developers, brokers, business leaders, and industry partners
Serving as a key point of coordination and support for development projects, helping stakeholders navigate city processes and requirements
Partnering closely with Development Services and other departments to align efforts and facilitate successful project outcomes
Supporting problem-solving and coordination across stakeholders to keep projects moving forward
Align economic development with community priorities Economic development should support the city’s long-term vision, quality of life, and community character.
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director ensures that development efforts are aligned with Council priorities and reflect the values of the community.
Key considerations include:
Strengthening the local economy and supporting existing and new businesses
Expanding workforce and economic opportunities for residents
Maintaining community character while supporting thoughtful growth and innovation
Review the job description for a full listing of the representative duties and qualifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Why this role matters Economic development in San Marcos is guided by data, strategy, and a focus on measurable outcomes. With a Strategic Economic Development Plan underway, this role is central to ensuring that priorities are implemented effectively and produce meaningful outcomes for the community.
You will lead the execution of the city’s economic development strategy by using market data, industry analysis, and fiscal insight to guide decisions, attract targeted investment, and move projects forward. Working across departments, you will help ensure development opportunities progress with clarity, coordination, and momentum.
This role is defined by implementation and impact. Success is reflected in measurable outcomes, including job creation, tax base growth, and strategic development aligned with community priorities.
This is your chance to:
Turn economic development strategy into measurable results
Shape and advance a strong pipeline of development and business opportunities
Use data and market intelligence to guide high-impact decisions
Partner across the organization to move projects efficiently from concept to completion
Deliver visible outcomes that strengthen the city’s long-term economic future
Recruitment timeline
Applications accepted through 4:00 p.m. April 30
Well-qualified applicants will be invited to a panel interview the week of May 11
Final candidates will meet with city leadership the week of May 18
The ideal candidate will be able to: Advance measurable economic progress The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a central role in advancing the city’s economic priorities by shaping conditions that support business growth, investment, and redevelopment aligned with the city’s priorities.
The outcomes associated with this work include:
Job creation and retention within the community
Growth and diversification of the city’s tax base
Attraction and expansion of targeted industries
Activation and development of key sites
Navigate and deliver projects within a complex municipal environment The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director must be highly effective at working within a municipal system to move projects forward.
Key experience includes:
Building strong, trust-based relationships across Planning, Development Services, Finance, and city leadership
Understanding and navigating internal processes, constraints, and competing priorities
Identifying and resolving barriers that may delay or prevent development projects
Facilitating coordination across departments to ensure development projects aligned with city priorities are moved efficiently from concept to completion
Advance and operationalize the city’s economic development strategy The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director plays a key role in translating the city’s economic development strategy into actionable priorities and real-world progress. This includes both implementing the current strategic plan and adapting it over time based on market conditions, opportunities, and city priorities.
Key responsibilities in this area include:
Translating strategic priorities into clear initiatives, workplans, and near-term actions
Coordinating across departments to advance priority projects and initiatives
Aligning development activity with the city’s broader economic goals and community vision
Identifying opportunities to refine or evolve the strategy based on emerging trends and project experience
Use data and market insight to inform decisions Effective economic development requires the ability to use data and market insight to guide priorities, evaluate opportunities, and support sound decision-making.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working with a range of analytical inputs, including:
Market and industry trends
Labor force and demographic data
Fiscal and economic impact analyses
Track progress and communicate results Effective economic development requires clear visibility into development activity, progress, and emerging opportunities.
Key responsibilities include:
Establishing clear and practical metrics to track development activity, project pipelines, and progress over time
Monitoring key projects and initiatives, including status, milestones, and potential economic impacts
Providing regular, concise updates to leadership and stakeholders that highlight progress, key developments, and what’s ahead
Build and leverage strong relationships to support well-planned and strategically aligned development The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director builds and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with developers, business leaders, and regional partners, and leverages those relationships to support successful development outcomes.
The city is committed to providing high-quality, responsive support to development partners, helping them navigate city processes clearly and efficiently.
Key responsibilities include:
Building and maintaining productive relationships with developers, brokers, business leaders, and industry partners
Serving as a key point of coordination and support for development projects, helping stakeholders navigate city processes and requirements
Partnering closely with Development Services and other departments to align efforts and facilitate successful project outcomes
Supporting problem-solving and coordination across stakeholders to keep projects moving forward
Align economic development with community priorities Economic development should support the city’s long-term vision, quality of life, and community character.
The Economic Development & Public Affairs Director ensures that development efforts are aligned with Council priorities and reflect the values of the community.
Key considerations include:
Strengthening the local economy and supporting existing and new businesses
Expanding workforce and economic opportunities for residents
Maintaining community character while supporting thoughtful growth and innovation
Review the job description for a full listing of the representative duties and qualifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr