Director of Economic Development and Tourism
A bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning or related field and a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) license are required. Prior experience as a local government department manager, along with five to seven years of related experience, is preferred. A master’s degree is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above. A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record according to City criteria are required.
The Successful Candidate:- Manages time effectively and follows through, responding quickly to City leadership, including the City Manager, elected officials, internal and external customers, and other stakeholders;
- Delegates effectively, building trusting relationships with staff, defining roles clearly, and allowing room for creativity while maintaining accountability for results;
- Communicates clearly and confidently, offering informed opinions, saying no when needed, and engaging effectively with diverse audiences—from CEOs to local residents—while keeping key stakeholders in the loop;
- Aligns work with adopted plans, City priorities, and (once developed) the economic development strategic plan, ensuring consistency in decision-making and execution;
- Applies structured, strategic thinking to complex issues, developing clear recommendations that outline options, trade-offs, and pros and cons, while establishing effective processes and systems to support delivery;
- Effectively prioritizes competing demands, remains highly adaptable, and brings an assertive yet collaborative approach to advancing work;
- Demonstrates strong financial and business acumen, including experience with incentives, financing tools, real estate, and risk assessment;
- Balances a wide range of initiatives, from Main Street and downtown redevelopment to large-scale industrial projects, tourism, and emerging opportunities such as a recently approved 1,000-acre industrial park project in Pittsylvania County;
- Navigates complex and sometimes high-profile or complex, multi-stakeholder projects with sound judgment and political awareness;
- Leads with humility, self-awareness, and empathy, fostering a supportive team culture and valuing both staff and community perspectives; and
- Thinks strategically and acts with flexibility, maintaining a long-term view while adapting to changing priorities and representing the City with professionalism and presence.
Danville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia operating under a council-manager form of government. With an adopted FY2026 total operating budget of about $384.5 million, the City of Danville employs approximately 1,200 workers across 16 departments. The City has updated its Comprehensive Plan, PLAN Danville, which encourages the continued development of a healthy, equitable, and resilient community by offering a distinctive vision for the continued growth of Danville. While the Comprehensive Plan represents an ideal of what the City of Danville desires to become over the next 20 years, it also provides realistic action steps and outcomes within the anticipated social, economic, and political constraints.
The City of Danville’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism works to grow and strengthen the local economy through business development, redevelopment, workforce development, and tourism initiatives. The team includes ten full-time staff and several part-time positions. As part of the City Manager’s Office, the Office of Economic Development and Tourism takes a citywide view in all of its work, collaborating with internal partners to achieve city goals of growth and economic vitality. The Office is committed to creating an environment where small businesses, major industries, families, and community members can thrive—reflecting the City’s belief that “Home is Here.” The Office’s work centers on supporting new and existing local businesses, attracting new investment, and promoting Danville’s unique assets in ways that create jobs, build local wealth across neighborhoods and demographics, and enhance quality of life for all. Key areas include support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, business recruitment, retention and expansion, redevelopment of strategic properties, tourism promotion, and coalition-building for workforce development and other projects— all aimed at long-term economic vitality and opportunity for every Danville resident.
Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Director leads the Office of Economic Development and Tourism through visionary strategy development, project management, tactical work in industrial development, and empowering the team to execute on the City’s big vision for economic mobility and local revitalization.
The Director manages six direct reports and two related budgets—$1.44 million for economic development and $1.01 million for tourism—ensuring resources are used effectively and aligned with priorities. As the City’s primary point of contact for businesses, developers, and partners, the Director helps position Danville competitively and guides key projects from concept through completion. The Director ensures that projects and partnerships align with PLAN Danville and Citywide priorities while maintaining effective day-to-day operations.
The next Director will have an active role in advancing redevelopment and site readiness, including public-private partnerships, incentives and financing strategies, and coordination with internal departments and regional partners. This position will also oversee small business and tourism initiatives, support relevant City boards and authorities, and maintain clear communication with the City Manager’s Office on major projects and emerging issues.
Key Position Priorities:
- Develop and begin implementing a departmental strategic plan aligned with City Council priorities and PLAN Danville, clearly defining what is—and is not—a priority.
- Evaluate and right-size the department’s structure, roles, and capacity to ensure alignment between resources and the work that matters most.
- Improve coordination and communication across departments by establishing clear processes, involving the right people early, and breaking down silos.
- Build strong working relationships with regional partners while clearly representing the City’s interests in collaborative initiatives.
- Align economic development efforts with workforce capacity and community needs to support job creation, economic mobility, and long-term growth.