Economic Development Director

Fort Worth, TX
Full Time
Economic Development
Executive
Economic Development Director
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the City of Fort Worth to recruit the next Economic Development Director.  Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Director will provide leadership over the Economic Development Department's operations and activities.  The previous Director was with the City for over fifteen years, serving as Director for the last nine years, and recently left to take a role as an Executive Director at Workforce Solutions.

The vision for the Director is to assess the current internal processes, models, goals, and team to better align the department with the City Manager’s vision to partner with and support the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, develop unique incentive packages that support economic growth and community investment, and provide tangible returns to the community and city.  This role will effectively plan, design, develop and evaluate economic initiatives that support the City’s strategic vision and goals. 

This role requires a visionary leader to assist with developing and implementing short- and long-term plans to meet strategic goals and objectives for the City. Strategic thinking will be critical to identify opportunities and make data-driven decisions to develop innovative approaches and ideas that adapt to changing needs and conditions, both internally and externally.  The Director will provide support, advice, and strategic level recommendations to the City Manager’s Office.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Fort Worth is on the cusp of an unprecedented growth cycle—having just eclipsed one million residents while emerging as a national hub for aerospace, advanced logistics, and data‑driven innovation. The City seeks a seasoned Economic Development Director who can architect complex public‑private deals, steward a $190 million multi‑fund portfolio, and serve as the behind‑the‑scenes strategist with the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FW EDP) and its CEO, Robert Allen. This is a rare chance to shape the long‑term tax base, accelerate redevelopment, and burnish Fort Worth’s reputation as the most vibrant and sustainable city in the United States.

ABOUT THE CITY & DEPARTMENT
Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department (EDD) is a 17‑person team responsible for diversifying the tax base and improving the city’s quality of place. The department manages a $190 million portfolio, oversees ten active Tax‑Increment Financing (TIF) districts, and directs projects that support growth across Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FW EDP) markets Fort Worth to companies, site selectors, and real‑estate professionals before projects reach City Hall. The EDD supports these projects by using policy tools—such as incentives, land, and infrastructure—to meet city goals.

The FW EDP builds the project pipeline by promoting Fort Worth. The Department evaluates each opportunity, structures incentive packages, and guides projects through approval. The Director will work closely with both groups to move good ideas forward and deliver results for the community.

KEY FUNCTIONS & IMPACT
  • Deal Architecture  Deploys Chapter 380 performance grants, tax abatements, TIF reimbursements, Public Improvement Districts, and state incentives to achieve ≥ 10:1 public‑to‑private leverage and ≥ $55 k average wages.
  • Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)  Leads proactive outreach to legacy anchors such as Lockheed Martin, BNSF, and American Airlines, ensuring expansions stay in Fort Worth.
  • Community Redevelopment  Guides corridor revitalization—aligning land assembly, infrastructure, housing, and small‑business supports in historically disinvested areas.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship  Champions the Texas A&M–Fort Worth Research Campus, Guinn Entrepreneurial Complex, and a new Small‑Business Innovation Fund.
THE POSITION — WHAT YOU WILL DO
As the Economic Development Director, you will lead the City’s efforts to attract and retain business, structure incentive agreements, and manage key economic‑development programs. Working closely with the FW EDP, you will review project proposals, analyze their financial impact, and decide when to apply Chapter 380 grants, tax abatements, TIF reimbursements, and other tools to support responsible growth.
You will supervise analysts, program managers, and assistant directors, set clear performance targets, and keep the team on track.

Key Responsibilities
  • Set Strategy  Define the department’s annual work program, KPIs, and budget priorities in concert with Council goals and FW EDP market intelligence.
  • Lead & Inspire  Directly supervise two Assistant Directors and empower six program managers to deliver best‑in‑class service.
  • Engineer Financing  Model project cash flows, author incentive agreements, and brief TIRZ boards and bond counsel on debt issuances.
  • Champion Redevelopment  Align planning, zoning, infrastructure, and housing resources to unlock equitable investment in emerging corridors.
  • Represent the City  Serve as chief negotiator with C‑suite executives, site selectors, and regional, state, and federal partners.
  • Measure & Report  Track leverage, job creation, wage gains, and tax‑base impact; adjust policies proactively.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Strategy & Incentives
  • Design and execute Chapter 380, tax‑abatement, and TIF agreements; monitor compliance and ROI.
  • Oversee a multi‑fund budget—forecasting revenues, authorizing transfers, and reallocating year‑end surplus to high‑impact projects.
Redevelopment & Placemaking
  • Lead inter‑departmental teams on land acquisition, infrastructure financing, and public‑realm design for catalytic districts.
Business & Talent Growth
  • Direct BRE program and sector‑focused recruitment (aerospace, advanced logistics, data centers, life sciences).
  • Partner with Workforce Solutions and higher‑ed institutions to align training pipelines.
Governance & Stakeholder Relations
  • Serve as staff liaison and/or officer to Local Development Corporations, TIRZ boards, and the FW EDP executive committee.
  • Prepare Council agenda items, briefings, and annual performance reports.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
Fort Worth seeks a Director who will function as the City’s executive for economic development—setting direction, building sound incentive packages, and leading targeted redevelopment efforts—while also serving as a partner to the FW EDP, moving projects from idea to ribbon‑cutting behind the scenes. The ideal candidate combines hands‑on experience with Chapter 380 agreements, TIF, Public Improvement District (PID) support, and other financing tools with the discipline to judge whether a deal is truly good for the community. They work comfortably with C‑suite executives, neighborhood advocates, and City Council alike, keep projects on schedule, and hold teams accountable for clear results.
 
RequirementsMinimumPreferred
EducationBachelor’s degree in Public/Business Admin, Economics, or related fieldMaster’s degree (MPA, MBA, JD, or MS Econ)
Experience8 years in economic development with 4 years at a supervisory or administrative levelTrack record closing nine‑figure industrial, corporate HQ, or mixed‑use deals in a fast‑growing Sunbelt city
Technical MasteryChapter 380 grants, TIFs, PIDs, public‑private partnerships, cash‑flow modelingBond financing, Opportunity Zones, and innovation district governance
Leadership StyleCollaborative, data‑driven, comfortable behind the scenes, shares creditExperience co‑branding with external EDOs and chamber alliances
LicensesValid Texas driver’s licenseCEcD, CCIM, or AICP certification

COMPENSATION - $185,000-$225,000
Fort Worth is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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