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Putting clients first is always our priority. Taking our Ego out of the equation is best for both client and candidates.

Assistant Director of Economic Development

Fort Worth, TX

Full Time

Economic Development

Executive

Economic Development Assistant Director
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the City of Fort Worth to recruit the next Assistant Director of Economic Development. Reporting to the Director, the Assistant Director will provide leadership over the Business Recruitment and Retention operations and activities.
The vision for the Assistant Director is to assess the current internal processes, models, 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 work with the Director to effectively plan, design, develop and evaluate economic initiatives that support the City’s strategic vision and goals.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Fort Worth is experiencing incredible growth—having just eclipsed one million residents while emerging as a national hub for aerospace, advanced logistics, and data‑driven innovation. This role is the day‑to‑day operating lead on active corporate projects and employer expansions. You will qualify prospects with the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FW EDP), size incentive requests with discipline, and move projects from first call to Council action. The focus is practical: build a reliable pipeline, recommend incentives only when there is a clear public return, and deliver measurable results for Fort Worth.

ABOUT THE CITY & DEPARTMENT
Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department (EDD) is a 21‑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 Assistant Director works at this intersection—translating interest into clear proposals, aligning City resources, and ensuring timely decisions. The department manages a multi‑fund portfolio, oversees multiple active Tax‑Increment Financing (TIF) districts, and advances projects across Fort Worth’s major employment centers and corridors.

KEY FUNCTIONS & IMPACT

Recruitment & Site Selection Qualify prospects with FW EDP; align sites, zoning, utilities, workforce, and timing needs.
Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Leads proactive outreach to priority employers and legacy anchors such as Lockheed Martin, Bell Textron, BNSF, and American Airlines, ensuring expansions stay in Fort Worth; develop account plans and early‑warning indicators; coordinate rapid‑response solutions to protect jobs and capital investment.
Deal Screening & Term Sheets Apply consistent ROI and risk standards; recommend incentives only when there is a defined gap and public benefit.
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 ≥ $60 k average wages.
Project Management Drive milestones from interest to M&Cs and implementation; remove roadblocks; keep timelines visible.
Compliance & Reporting Track performance, issue compliance reports, and recommend adjustments or termination if terms are not met.
Team Leadership Set goals, assign work, coach staff, and manage unit budgets and contracts.

SIGNATURE PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

Program/Project	Current Phase
Evans & Rosedale Urban Village	Agreement Execution & Predevelopment	Oversee project team, ensuring groundbreaking; Promote community engagement


Westside Village	Agreement Execution & Predevelopment	Oversee project team; Ensure project advancement & secure TIF Board approval of incentive

Stockyards Phase 2	Agreement Execution & Predevelopment	Oversee project team; Ensure project advancement & bond capacity; Interface with key stakeholders

ACS Data Center	Project Delivery	Ensure project facilitation through team and partners (secure power, water, and fast‑track permits)

Bell Helicopter Expansion	Agreement Execution & Implementation	Ensure project support & compliance; Promote in partnership with Fort Worth EDP

Embraer Alliance Campus	Implementation & Incentives Delivery	Oversee project team; Leverage project delivery and FTZ status to pursue related opportunities

MTU Maintenance Relocation	Site selection / Final Negotiations	Support lease negotiations and deal closing; Pursue related project opportunities

Clearfork Riverfront	Deal structuring	Oversee project team and support negotiations

Near Southside Med District	Mixed‑use infill	Support Near Southside Inc to align TIF #4 cash flows to catalytic life‑science projects

THE POSITION — WHAT YOU WILL DO
As the Assistant Director of BR&R, 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 and program managers, set clear performance targets, and keep the team on track.

Key Responsibilities
Pipeline & Recruitment

Run a joint City–FW EDP pipeline review with stage definitions, materials, and decision points.
Manage site‑selector and corporate relationships; prepare company briefs and options.

Retention & Expansion

Maintain account plans for priority employers; identify risks and opportunities.
Coordinate workforce, training, permitting, and infrastructure support for expansions.

Incentives & Financial Analysis

Build project models (investment, jobs, wages, tax impact, and timing).
Recommend use of Chapter 380 grants, tax abatements, TIF participation, PIDs, and related tools when they close a real gap.
Draft term sheets and M&Cs; negotiate performance milestones and clawbacks.

Project Delivery & Governance

Coordinate interdepartmental reviews; track permits, infrastructure, and schedules.
Prepare briefings for the Director, Assistant City Manager, City Council, and TIF boards.
Oversee compliance tracking and annual reporting.

Team Leadership & Operations

Set team goals, assign work, coach staff, and recruit for needed skills.
Manage unit budget and contracts; monitor results and adjust.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
Fort Worth seeks an Assistant Director to collaborate with the Director and follow the Director's lead on strategy and goals on the City’s economic development efforts, including setting direction, developing sound incentive packages, and partnering with the FW EDP to move projects from concept to ribbon cutting. 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, and hold teams accountable for clear results. A practical operator who can say yes when a project meets policy and ROI standards and no when it does not. Able to explain recommendations clearly to companies, site selectors, City leadership, and the public. Manages teams and budgets, keeps projects on schedule, and holds partners accountable. Works well with FW EDP and internal departments without seeking the spotlight.

Some challenges that the Assistant Director will help overcome in the next 2-3 years include:

Build a disciplined, transparent pipeline process with FW EDP and internal departments.
Standardize ROI modeling, term sheets, and compliance tracking; publish a practical incentive playbook.
Reduce time from inquiry to Council action; establish close plans and milestone tracking.
Strengthen relationships with employers in aerospace, logistics, data centers, and life sciences; anticipate expansion needs.
Improve reporting on outcomes—jobs, wages, capital investment, and fiscal impact.

Requirements	Minimum	Preferred
Education	Bachelor’s degree in Public/Business Admin, Economics, or related field	Master’s degree (MPA, MBA, JD, or MS Econ)
Experience	6 years in economic development with 3 years at a supervisory or administrative level	Track record closing nine‑figure industrial, corporate HQ, or mixed‑use deals in a fast‑growing city
Technical Mastery	Chapter 380 grants, TIFs, PIDs, public‑private partnerships, cash‑flow modeling	Bond financing, Opportunity Zones, and innovation district governance
Leadership Style	Collaborative, data‑driven, comfortable behind the scenes, shares credit	Experience co‑branding with external EDOs and chamber alliances
Licenses	Valid Texas driver’s license	CEcD, CCIM, or AICP certification

COMPENSATION - $122,805-$172,000, commensurate with experience
Fort Worth is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Fit

Transparency

Constantly Improve

Win for the client

No Ego

Select the right candidate and cultural fit for each client which leads to transformational and organizational change.

Full disclosure and transparency at all times and open communication with clients and candidates.

Inviting feedback from both clients and candidates allows us to continually improve our methods and implement best practices.

Winning the war for Talent through each engagement to move the needle in our clients organization.

Putting clients first is always our priority. Taking our Ego out of the equation is best for both client and candidates.

Assistant Director of Economic Development

Apply for this position