City of Victorville, CA Economic Development Administrator

The City of Victorville is looking for an energetic dynamic leader to be their next Economic Development Administrator (EDA). The EDA will lead the Economic Development Division which encompasses the Cityseconomic development homelessness solutions real estate management and housing services. This is a high-visibility leadership role that requires adaptability strong executive presence and a passion for championing new development across the City. Reporting directly to the Deputy City Manager the EDA will serve as a key member of the Citys leadership team and oversee complex community-facing programs that are integral to the Citys future growth.

The EDA will be the single-threaded owner for all economic development efforts throughout the City serving as the primary representative for economic development activities on the City Managers behalf. The new incumbent will be charged with proactively building relationships with developers investors and commercial real estate interests with a focus on successfully attracting and securing new retail dining and entertainment options to the City. The EDA will lead strategic marketing of the City in close collaboration with the Public Information Officer (PIO) including campaigns to promote locally owned businesses across the City as well as special event promotions like the upcoming 100-year anniversary of Route 66. The EDA will also promote the City at relevant regional and national industry events and trade shows with contributions and support from the PIO and the Planning and Building Departments.

The EDA will oversee the Citys affordable and multi-family housing programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program. The EDA will pursue and encourage increased development of new affordable and multi-family housing throughout the City particularly in the Old Town area. The new administrator will also oversee the Citys real estate portfolio including maintaining and managing City-owned properties and handling routine property acquisition and disposal. Additionally the EDA will facilitate and promote real estate development opportunities at the Southern California Logistics Airport ( SCLA).

The EDA will also have oversight of the Citys comprehensive homelessness solutions programs including the 170-bed City-owned Wellness Center. The City contracts with a third-party for Wellness Center management operations and services. The EDA will play an integral role in vendor and contract management for the Wellness Center ensuring that services provided meet the Citys needs and expectations. The EDA will foster high-functioning cross-departmental cooperation across the City in relation to the planning and successful execution of existing and new homelessness solutions programs.

Finally the EDA will be responsible for establishing a cohesive collaborative service-oriented culture in the Economic Development Division. The EDA will lead a team of ten dedicated City employees across economic development housing real estate management and homelessness solutions. The EDA will provide strategic direction to this group and facilitate cross-functional collaboration both within the Division and across the City.

Priorities

• Build Strong Relationships in the City and the Victorville Community : Take deliberate intentional time to learn and understand the dynamics of the City and the Victorville community. Demonstrate skill in building relationships with elected officials business leaders community groups managers peers and direct reports within the City.
• Secure New Development and Drive Revenue Growth : Launch a proactive targeted campaign to bring new retail dining and entertainment options up the hill from San Bernardino Riverside Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This includes serving as the primary representative for the City in all economic development activities actively building relationships with developers and investors and acting as the dealmaker for new projects that expand the Citys property and sales tax base.
• Establish a Cohesive Economic Development Division : Lead the Division in establishing a collaborative service-oriented culture and defining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all functional areas.
• Lead Strategic Marketing and Branding Efforts : Collaborate closely with the Public Information Officer to develop and implement an annual City-wide marketing content plan. Leverage the upcoming 100-year anniversary of Route 66 as a major promotional opportunity and support and enhance existing local business promotion campaigns. Coordinate City presence at key industry events and trade shows throughout the year.
• Ensure White Glove Service for New Development : Enhance the Citys pro-business and pro-development reputation by ensuring developers and investors receive a white glove experience working with the City. When new development opportunities are identified drive critical early-stage coordination with key internal stakeholders in the Planning Building Fire and Engineering Departments to ensure developers experience frictionless handoffs as they move through the required reviews and approvals.
• Drive Old Town Revitalization Efforts : Prioritize revitalization efforts and new development in the Old Town area to expand affordable and multi-family housing inventory and support community-desired redevelopment.

The Successful Candidate

The ideal EDA is an outgoing energetic and highly effective leader with a talent for relationship-building marketing and negotiating complex deals on behalf of the City. The successful candidate has their finger on the pulse of national and regional economic development trends and has demonstrated success applying new development strategies in a local government setting.

The successful candidate will be comfortable leading diverse teams and will naturally embrace challenges as opportunities. They will be a pivotal member of the Citys leadership team where cross-departmental collaboration is both welcomed and expected and will be committed to working hand in hand with the PIO and Development Departments to achieve the Citys broader economic development goals.

While direct experience managing homelessness solutions programs is not required the ideal candidate will have a strong background in contract negotiations and vendor management. Similarly the new EDA must have demonstrated success in driving development of new affordable and multi-family housing stock but may not have deep expertise in managing ongoing housing programs. The successful candidate will understand that new development sometimes requires navigating complex dynamics in the community. The ideal EDA will be skilled at building consensus and ensuring that new development is considered through equitable and transparent review processes.

The successful candidate will be politically and technologically savvy adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced work environment. They will be comfortable challenging the status quo and will be energized by the prospect of transforming the Citys current economic development homelessness solutions real estate management and housing programs into a strategic proactive full-service Economic Development Division. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic growing community with a high-functioning supportive senior leadership team and City Council.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include at least five (5) years of increasingly responsible economic development experience preferably with a local government agency including at least three (3) years of supervisory and / or management responsibility. A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration or a closely related field is also required.

Preferred qualifications include prior experience successfully negotiating complex development agreements demonstrated expertise in developing and executing organization-wide strategic plans specific to economic development and / or marketing and practical experience building consensus across community members elected officials and business leaders for new development in a local government setting.

Inside The Organization

The City of Victorville was originally incorporated as a general law city in 1962 and reorganized as a charter city in 2008. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient implementation of Council policy and effective administration of all City government affairs. The elective officers of the City consist of a City Council of five members one of which serves as mayor.

The City employs 570 full-time positions and is organized into 17 departments each responsible for managing its own operating budgets together with any assigned special funds or projects. Through these departments the City provides a full range of services including public safety highways and streets sanitation parks and recreation aviation municipal utilities (water electric and gas) public improvements planning and zoning community development and general administrative addition to these governmental activities the City Council has legal authority over the Citys Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Southern California Logistics Airport Authority the Victorville Water District and the Victorville Library.

The City organization is focused on achieving the following strategic goals :

The Community

Victorville is a growing vibrant city in Southern California at the high point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas serving as the center of both industry and retail in the High Desert region. It is home to approximately 140000 residents and some of Victor Valleys largest employers. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with plentiful employment options safe neighborhoods and numerous family-friendly recreation opportunities. The City is conveniently located within a few hours of Southern Californias beaches mountains lakes and other major attractions with Ontario International Airport (ONT) approximately 45 miles away.

Victorville was incorporated in 1962 at 10 square miles and a population of approximately 8110. Today the City sits at 74 square miles with a daytime population that reaches approximately 250000. The Citys history predates incorporation by more than 100 years with its beginning around 1885. A portion of the famous U.S. Route 66 established in 1926 provided a major transportation corridor through Victorville. During World War II Victorville Army Airfield was constructed and after its deactivation was annexed into the City and renamed Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA).

Victorville is the economic engine of the Victor Valley and the largest commercial center between San Bernardino and the Nevada state line. The City boasts 20 parks a municipal golf course and nearby desert lake and mountain recreation options. Located at 2875 feet above sea level the high desert climate provides a taste of all four seasons with hot sunny summers and winters with occasional light snow.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for the new EDA is $154296 to $187548 per year based on the candidates experience and qualifications.

The Citys extensive benefits include the following :

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will remain open until filled with a first review of applications beginning November 10 2025. Early application is encouraged.

Questions

Please direct questions to Sarah Slegers at Serena Wright-Black at and Robert Colichio at .

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

Required Experience :

Unclear Seniority

Key Skills

Athletics,Academics,Facility Management,Light Bus And Heavy Bus,Data Analysis,AutoCAD 2D

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 154296 - 187548