Economic Mobility Program Manager

Community Builder

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builderan employee with the City of Gainesvilleyou will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it's a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

This is managerial work assisting the City Manager or designee with structuring, coordinating, and implementing strategic initiatives aimed at promoting economic mobility and opportunity. The Economic Mobility Program Manager leads cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and data-informed planning to address systemic barriers to economic advancement and improve equitable outcomes. The position develops and executes project work plans, schedules, budgets, and allocates resources to ensure the economic success of citywide mobility strategies.

Positions allocated to this classification report to the City Manager or designee and work under minimal supervision. Work in this class is distinguished by its emphasis on strategic initiatives spanning multiple departments and systems that influence workforce, housing, education, financial empowerment, and community development.

This position is funded by the Gates Foundation through a grant from the International City / County Management Association (ICMA) as part of the Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants Program. Funding is provided from September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.

Serve as the City's lead strategist on issues related to economic mobility, opportunity, and equity.

Identify strategic priorities and systemic barriers impacting residents' ability to achieve financial security and economic advancement.

Develop and implement initiatives focused on workforce development, income growth, housing stability, education pathways, financial empowerment, and related factors.

Facilitate inclusive community engagement processes to co-design strategies with residents, community-based organizations, and institutions.

Build and maintain strong partnerships across City departments, public agencies, nonprofits, and the business community.

Develop and monitor metrics and performance dashboards to evaluate outcomes and ensure continuous improvement.

Draft and present reports, implementation plans, and policy recommendations to internal leadership, elected officials, and advisory bodies.

Collaborate with City leadership to integrate mobility and equity goals into planning, budgeting, and service delivery.

Research, propose, and implement innovative approaches to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability.

Prepare grant proposals and manage budgets for economic mobility and opportunity projects.

Attend required professional convenings (including travel to ICMA cohort meetings).

Attend work on a continuous and regular basis.

May act in the absence of a supervisor.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with preference for public administration, economics, public policy, social sciences, business administration, urban planning, or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, community engagement, workforce development, or related fields, including at least one (1) year managing complex, cross-sector initiatives; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Valid Florida Driver's License required.

Thorough knowledge of systemic and structural factors impacting economic mobility, including income, education, housing, health, and workforce access.

Knowledge of governmental budget procedures, grants management, and performance evaluation frameworks.

Ability to design, implement, and evaluate community-centered initiatives.

Experience with participatory planning or community engagement strategies and ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.

Ability to analyze data and synthesize findings into clear reports and recommendations.

Strong project management and organizational skills.

Skill in public speaking, facilitation, and written communication for diverse audiences.

Ability to work effectively with elected officials, department heads, partner agencies, and the general public.

Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and exercise sound judgment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.

Depending on the assignment, tasks may require frequent walking, standing, some unassisted lifting, carrying, pushing, and / or pulling of moderately heavy objects up to 30 pounds.

May involve the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, kneeling, stooping, and / or working in confined spaces.

May be required to climb and descend ladders and / or stairs, and walk across scaffolding at redevelopment sites.

Required to work or attend meetings outside regular business hours.

Requires local travel to various redevelopment areas to conduct on-site visits with businesses, communities, and neighborhoods located within the Gainesville area.

Requires out-of-town travel periodically for cohort convenings and professional development.

Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.