Company: City of Chelsea
Job description:
Department: Executive
Union: EXEMPT Pay Grade: MM10
Annual Salary $118,938.35 – $165,160.45
Definition
The Chief Economic Development Officer (CEDO) serves as the City of Chelsea’s senior
executive responsible for advancing the City’s economic development, redevelopment, business
attraction, business retention, housing production, commercial growth, and strategic investment
initiatives. Working directly with the City Manager, the CEDO develops and implements
policies, programs, and projects that strengthen Chelsea’s tax base, expand economic
opportunity, support housing development, revitalize commercial districts, and improve the
overall quality of life for residents.
The CEDO is responsible for leading the City’s economic development strategy and serving as
the primary liaison among developers, businesses, investors and governmental agencies. The
position plays a critical role in identifying and implementing innovative tools and strategies that
facilitate responsible development, support job creation, generate new growth, and advance the
City’s long-term economic goals.
The CEDO participates to a substantial degree in the formulation and determination of municipal
policy concerning economic development, housing production, land use, redevelopment, tax
policy, municipal investment strategies, public-private partnerships, and related matters. The
CEDO exercises significant independent judgment in recommending and implementing policies
that affect the City’s economic future and fiscal health. The CEDO exercises a high degree of
discretion and independent decision-making in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
The CEDO is expected to employ every appropriate tool available to the City—including zoning
initiatives, tax increment financing agreements, district improvement strategies, state and federal
incentives, public-private partnerships, infrastructure investments, and regulatory reforms—to
encourage high-quality development and maximize economic opportunity for Chelsea residents
and businesses.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Economic Development Leadership
● Formulates, in partnership with the City Manager, the City’s overall economic
development policies, priorities, and strategic initiatives.
● Develops and implements comprehensive economic development plans designed to
expand the City’s commercial, industrial, and residential tax base.
● Advises the City Manager, City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and
other municipal bodies on economic development matters.
● Identifies emerging economic trends and opportunities that may impact Chelsea’s growth
and competitiveness.
● Leads initiatives designed to increase housing production, encourage mixed-use
development, promote commercial revitalization, and attract investment.
Development Project Management
● Serves as the City’s lead representative for major development and redevelopment
projects.
● Coordinates municipal review and permitting efforts to facilitate timely and effective
project implementation.
● Works collaboratively with developers, property owners, consultants, utility providers,
and municipal departments to advance development proposals.
● Identifies obstacles to development and creates solutions to facilitate project completion.
● Negotiates development agreements, public-private partnerships, and economic
development incentives in close partnership with the City Manager.
● Oversees implementation of economic development initiatives from concept through
completion.
Business Attraction, Retention, and Expansion
● Develops and implements programs to attract new businesses and industries to Chelsea.
● Establishes and maintains relationships with existing businesses to encourage expansion
and retention.
● Markets Chelsea as a premier location for investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and
development.
● Collaborates with local, regional, and state economic development organizations to
advance the City’s economic objectives.
● Assists businesses in navigating municipal processes and accessing available resources
and incentives.
Financial and Incentive Programs
● Evaluates, recommends, and administers economic development incentive programs
including Tax Increment Financing (TIF), District Improvement Financing (DIF),
Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) opportunities, and other available
local, state, and federal programs.
● Identifies and pursues grant opportunities that support economic development,
infrastructure improvements, and neighborhood revitalization.
● Conducts financial analyses and evaluates the fiscal impacts of proposed development
projects.
Intergovernmental and Community Relations
● Serves as the City’s primary liaison with state and federal agencies regarding economic
development initiatives.
● Represents the City before governmental agencies, industry organizations, business
groups, and community stakeholders.
● Facilitates public engagement and stakeholder outreach related to economic development
projects and initiatives.
Organizational Leadership
● Develops departmental goals, objectives, budgets, and performance metrics.
● Prepares reports, presentations, recommendations, and policy analyses for the City
Manager and City Council.
● Performs related duties as assigned by the City Manager.
Supervision
Works under the administrative direction of the City Manager, in accordance with the
ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the City, requiring the ability to plan
and perform operations, and to independently complete assigned tasks.
Performs a variety of responsible and complex functions, requiring a thorough knowledge of
departmental operations and the exercise of considerable judgment and initiative. Consults with
the City Manager on situations not clearly defined by precedent or established procedures.
Work Environment
Work is performed under typical office conditions. The workload is subject to various seasonal
and cyclic fluctuations, as well as emergency situations. The employee is frequently required to
attend multiple evening meetings on a weekly basis and to work outside of the normal business
hours.
The employee operates standard office equipment.
The employee has regular contact with City employees and officials, contractors, state agencies,
and the general public. The employee responds to citizen requests/issues in person and by
telephone; contact is also in writing, e-mail, and text. The incumbent is required to carry a City
issued cell phone and be available to contacts outside of normal business hours. Contacts require
excellent public relations skills, persuasiveness, and resourcefulness.
The employee has access to an extensive amount of confidential information, including bid
proposals, collective bargaining negotiations, criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and
executive sessions.
Errors in administration and judgment could significantly affect the municipality’s ability to
deliver services and could have financial and legal repercussions.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Master’s Degree in public or business administration; five years of senior level general
management experience in a municipal government, as an administrator, assistant administrator,
or finance director; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill
Extensive knowledge of municipal government including finance and budgetary functions,
departmental operations, federal, state, and local laws.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing with City employees, state, federal,
local officials, and the general public. Strong ability to collaborate with fellow City officials,
department heads, committees/commissions, and the general public. Customer service skills.
Ability to work at a high level independently with persuasiveness, good judgment,
resourcefulness, and excellent public relations skills.
Strong organizational and analytical skills. Extensive proficiency in MS Office software
including Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and MUNIS.
Physical Requirements
Minimal physical effort is required to perform duties under typical office conditions. The
employee is frequently required to sit, speak, hear, and use hands to operate equipment. Vision
requirements include the ability to read routine and complex documents and use a computer.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and
requirements of the job change.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to jobs@chelseama.gov or send to
Human Resources, City of Chelsea, 500 Broadway, Room 301, Chelsea, MA 02150
The City of Chelsea is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Job type: Full Time
Fully remote: No
Salary range: $118,938.35 – $165,160.45
Location: Chelsea Massachusetts
Apply: jobs@chelseama.gov