International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Veterans
Economic Development Director
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Veterans, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
City of South Fulton, Georgia, Director of Economic Development
Position Closes October 20, 2025
Overview The City of South Fulton seeks an energetic professional to be its next Economic Development Director. The Director will lead development initiatives in a City primed to take its next step, with ample undeveloped land and proximity to the World’s busiest airport. The Director will be a visionary, strategic thinker with the ability to systematize the City’s economic development operations during this crucial phase, and will have a track record of delivering successful economic development projects and communicating outcomes credibly and engagingly.
About the Community Incorporated in 2017, South Fulton is located 20 miles southwest of Atlanta, and less than 2 miles west of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. With about 115,000 residents, South Fulton is the seventh most populous city in Georgia and has a high level of educational attainment and a strong median income. The City offers proximity to Atlanta, a vibrant entertainment scene, parks and nature preserves, and access to major transportation corridors.
About the Organization South Fulton employs a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and a seven-member City Council elected to four-year terms. The City Manager directs day-to-day operations and ensures policies are implemented efficiently. The City’s vision focuses on innovation, diversity, safety, environmental stewardship, transparency, and financial sustainability. The 2025–2029 Strategic Plan emphasizes essential services, infrastructure, economic development, and sustainability.
About the Department and Position Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Economic Development Director oversees a department with an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million and four staff members (Project Manager, Special Projects Manager, Main Street Manager, and Special Projects Coordinator). The Director will lead with humility and empathetic listening, develop staff skills, and collaborate with internal and external partners. The Director will manage the South Fulton Development Authority and the South Fulton Downtown Development Authority and liaise with four advisory boards.
The Economic Development Director Will Be Responsible For
Developing opportunities for economic development projects, including commercial and industrial development, redevelopment, and revitalization
Facilitating the development of long-range goals and objectives for the City
Serving as a subject matter expert on economic development matters, providing technical advice to other departments, boards, commissions, and committees, and the economic community
Acting as a liaison to and building strong relationships with City/County officials and departments, the economic development community, including government agencies, schools, labor organizations, nonprofits, civic groups, and businesses
Supervising, directing, and evaluating staff, making hiring or termination decisions, establishing workloads, and prioritizing work assignments
Key Priorities For The Next Economic Development Director Include
Developing and implementing a plan to standardize facilitation of the City’s economic development boards, ensure consistent tracking of projects, establish performance metrics, communicate progress to City leaders, and educate board members on roles and responsibilities
Enhancing departmental capacity by building team skillsets and identifying growth opportunities to better support economic development boards
Guiding and implementing current development projects and supporting active development deals, leveraging location to recruit new projects while retaining existing businesses
Leading the development of a comprehensive, multi-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, including tools and incentives to support investment readiness, a Business Retention and Expansion program, commercial gaps, and development sites, with emphasis on proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Strengthening regional partnerships with entities such as Aerotropolis, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and state economic agencies to coordinate regional planning
Minimum Qualifications
A master’s degree in urban planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field
Five (5) years of experience in local government planning and development or economic development, including progressive supervisory experience; or
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities
A valid Georgia driver’s license within a negotiated timeline and an acceptable driving history
Preferred Qualifications
10 years of progressive experience at a Director level with a track record of successful economic development projects
A track record of success in an equal or larger-sized municipal community
Possession of the CEcD (Certified Economic Developer) certification
The Successful Candidate Will Have
Extensive knowledge of economic development tools
The ability to work effectively in time-sensitive situations to meet deadlines
The ability to coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks concurrently
Openness to bold development ideas that project a vibrant city
A personality that projects confidence and humility
The ability to effectively market the city and communicate its opportunities and challenges honestly yet positively
The ability to structure and negotiate deals
An appreciation for broad-based stakeholder involvement and strong community engagement skills
The ability to delegate to staff without overwhelming them
Empathetic listening skills and attention to community needs
The ability to develop relationships with people of diverse backgrounds
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Salary and Benefits The hiring range is $126,558.48 – $161,524.25. Base salary and compensation are negotiable within the range based on experience and qualifications. The City provides comprehensive benefits, including medical coverage and a retirement plan with employer match.
How to Apply To apply, please visit the Developmental Associates portal and select the Economic Development Director – City of South Fulton, GA title.
All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates portal – not the city’s employment portal or any other external site
Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application
Applicants should apply by October 20, 2025 to be considered in the first round
The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews and skill evaluations on November 17–18, 2025
Direct all inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com
The City of South Fulton, GA, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC, manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. For more information, visit Developmental Associates’ client openings page.
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Overview The City of South Fulton seeks an energetic professional to be its next Economic Development Director. The Director will lead development initiatives in a City primed to take its next step, with ample undeveloped land and proximity to the World’s busiest airport. The Director will be a visionary, strategic thinker with the ability to systematize the City’s economic development operations during this crucial phase, and will have a track record of delivering successful economic development projects and communicating outcomes credibly and engagingly.
About the Community Incorporated in 2017, South Fulton is located 20 miles southwest of Atlanta, and less than 2 miles west of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. With about 115,000 residents, South Fulton is the seventh most populous city in Georgia and has a high level of educational attainment and a strong median income. The City offers proximity to Atlanta, a vibrant entertainment scene, parks and nature preserves, and access to major transportation corridors.
About the Organization South Fulton employs a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and a seven-member City Council elected to four-year terms. The City Manager directs day-to-day operations and ensures policies are implemented efficiently. The City’s vision focuses on innovation, diversity, safety, environmental stewardship, transparency, and financial sustainability. The 2025–2029 Strategic Plan emphasizes essential services, infrastructure, economic development, and sustainability.
About the Department and Position Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Economic Development Director oversees a department with an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million and four staff members (Project Manager, Special Projects Manager, Main Street Manager, and Special Projects Coordinator). The Director will lead with humility and empathetic listening, develop staff skills, and collaborate with internal and external partners. The Director will manage the South Fulton Development Authority and the South Fulton Downtown Development Authority and liaise with four advisory boards.
The Economic Development Director Will Be Responsible For
Developing opportunities for economic development projects, including commercial and industrial development, redevelopment, and revitalization
Facilitating the development of long-range goals and objectives for the City
Serving as a subject matter expert on economic development matters, providing technical advice to other departments, boards, commissions, and committees, and the economic community
Acting as a liaison to and building strong relationships with City/County officials and departments, the economic development community, including government agencies, schools, labor organizations, nonprofits, civic groups, and businesses
Supervising, directing, and evaluating staff, making hiring or termination decisions, establishing workloads, and prioritizing work assignments
Key Priorities For The Next Economic Development Director Include
Developing and implementing a plan to standardize facilitation of the City’s economic development boards, ensure consistent tracking of projects, establish performance metrics, communicate progress to City leaders, and educate board members on roles and responsibilities
Enhancing departmental capacity by building team skillsets and identifying growth opportunities to better support economic development boards
Guiding and implementing current development projects and supporting active development deals, leveraging location to recruit new projects while retaining existing businesses
Leading the development of a comprehensive, multi-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, including tools and incentives to support investment readiness, a Business Retention and Expansion program, commercial gaps, and development sites, with emphasis on proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Strengthening regional partnerships with entities such as Aerotropolis, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and state economic agencies to coordinate regional planning
Minimum Qualifications
A master’s degree in urban planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field
Five (5) years of experience in local government planning and development or economic development, including progressive supervisory experience; or
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities
A valid Georgia driver’s license within a negotiated timeline and an acceptable driving history
Preferred Qualifications
10 years of progressive experience at a Director level with a track record of successful economic development projects
A track record of success in an equal or larger-sized municipal community
Possession of the CEcD (Certified Economic Developer) certification
The Successful Candidate Will Have
Extensive knowledge of economic development tools
The ability to work effectively in time-sensitive situations to meet deadlines
The ability to coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks concurrently
Openness to bold development ideas that project a vibrant city
A personality that projects confidence and humility
The ability to effectively market the city and communicate its opportunities and challenges honestly yet positively
The ability to structure and negotiate deals
An appreciation for broad-based stakeholder involvement and strong community engagement skills
The ability to delegate to staff without overwhelming them
Empathetic listening skills and attention to community needs
The ability to develop relationships with people of diverse backgrounds
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Salary and Benefits The hiring range is $126,558.48 – $161,524.25. Base salary and compensation are negotiable within the range based on experience and qualifications. The City provides comprehensive benefits, including medical coverage and a retirement plan with employer match.
How to Apply To apply, please visit the Developmental Associates portal and select the Economic Development Director – City of South Fulton, GA title.
All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates portal – not the city’s employment portal or any other external site
Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application
Applicants should apply by October 20, 2025 to be considered in the first round
The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews and skill evaluations on November 17–18, 2025
Direct all inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com
The City of South Fulton, GA, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC, manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. For more information, visit Developmental Associates’ client openings page.
#J-18808-Ljbffr