The City of Bell is seeking an experienced and innovative leader to serve as its Economic Development & Housing Manager. This is a unique opportunity to advance initiatives that strengthen the local economy, expand housing opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for residents. The Economic Development & Housing Manager will play a vital role in shaping Bell’s future by fostering business growth, supporting community revitalization, and delivering meaningful results for residents, businesses, and stakeholders.
Bell on the RISE
Reinvestment • Innovation • Service • Engagement
The City of Bell is on the RISE—a forward-focused organization committed to rebuilding trust, strengthening infrastructure, and investing in sustainable growth. Through strategic planning, responsible development, and collaborative partnerships, Bell is advancing a bold vision centered on revitalization, economic opportunity, and community pride. The Economic Development & Housing Manager will lead efforts that transform Bell’s vision into action through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and measurable results for residents and businesses.
Why Work for the City of Bell
The City of Bell offers a unique opportunity for leaders who want to make a meaningful impact. As a community-focused organization, Bell empowers employees to drive economic growth, expand housing opportunities, and enhance residents' quality of life. Supported by an engaged City Council and executive leadership team, the Economic Development & Housing Manager will help shape Bell's future and contribute to a City that is truly on the RISE.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking professional with a strong background in economic development, real estate development, and housing programs who can effectively lead complex projects that support business retention, business attraction, and community revitalization. This individual excels at building strong relationships with developers, businesses, community stakeholders, and internal departments, and is skilled in conducting economic analysis, negotiating development agreements, and preparing high-quality reports and presentations. The ideal candidate is a confident communicator, a strategic problem-solver, and a collaborative leader who can navigate sensitive issues with sound judgment while managing multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment to advance the City of Bell’s long-term economic and housing goals.
The Economic Development and Housing Manager will oversee the implementation and administration of all Economic Development and Housing programs, projects, initiatives and activities designed to retain and expand existing businesses and to attract new businesses to the City of Bell that generate revenue, job creation and the production, preservation and development of existing and new Housing units for the improvement of the quality-of-life for the City residents. Assumes significant responsibilities in a functional area such as redevelopment project development and implementation, property acquisition and relocation, and special redevelopment projects as assigned and performs related work as required.
Receives direction from the City Manager or designee and coordinate with all other city departments. This position will exercise functional supervision over technical staff, management analyst, administrative and clerical staff.
This position is an at-will, management level position responsible for the management and administration of all City Economic Development and Housing related activities.
Incumbents at the Senior level perform the most complex work assigned to the series; because assignments for positions at the Senior level typically involve issues which have City-wide or community-wide impact.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Monitor the Local Economy: Understand the local economy and real estate market by analyzing the local retail base, sales tax, and vacancies to target a broad array of retail tenants; generating and maintaining economic and demographic data to determine market conditions and trends; and compiling and updating a comprehensive database of vacant parcels as well as unoccupied retail, office, commercial and industrial sites.
- Support Existing Businesses: Assist existing businesses by creating a publicity campaign to highlight key businesses and local success stories; maintain and enhance programs to foster business-to-business purchasing; serving as the City’s liaison to the businesses community; identifying grant opportunities and financing tools to foster business investment; facilitating local businesses’ use of City services; and developing and maintain Business Retention Visitation program to address specific issues raised by local businesses.
- Attract New Businesses: Assist in business attraction efforts by identifying missing and underrepresented businesses and categories of businesses; promote economic development activities to increase City’s visibility as a desirable business location; developing marketing materials for specific sites; helping to identify and recommend incentives for brokers to secure key tenants and zoning incentives to attract businesses; creating an inventory of available properties for sale, lease and development; targeting emerging growth industries for business attraction; researching neighboring cities’ “cost of doing business” to maximize Bell’s competitiveness in attracting businesses; mapping vacant and underutilized properties; participate in economic development education workshops real estate and local economy forecast workshops; and coordinating the production & use of social media, promotional materials, and electronic media.
- Perform compliance reporting and analysis regarding contract requirements as part of Local, State, or Federal Grant or Economic Development Loan programs.
- Assist in purchase and sale of city-owned land and private party acquisition.
- Participate in evaluation of economics, community needs, and land use in developing recommendations for development appropriate for a project area.
- Analyzes the economic feasibility of proposed real property transactions and makes recommendations.
- Tracking and preparing revenue and expenditure reports for City leaseholds.
- Preparation and Soliciting proposals from outside vendors and coordinating contract approvals.
- Develop weekly and monthly reports for department heads, City management, as well as City Council requests for data.
- Attend and present the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan at conferences, community meetings, City Council, or City Commission meetings.
- Prepare and maintain statistical reports and proactively evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, and methods related to Community Development, Economic Development and Housing activities.
- Develop and make formal presentations to City Manager's or designee, vendors, boards, committees, regarding various economic development opportunities.
- Develop outreach and marketing programs to local businesses to assist in business retention and attraction of new business.
- Conduct research and prepare analysis on special projects assigned and present the results in a professional format.
- Coordinate activities related to outreach efforts with City staff, vendors, various industry Chambers and Trade Organizations to further opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.
- Manage and Oversee the Bell Homeless Shelter Bed program with Salvation Army
- Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.
To qualify for this position, an individual must possess a combination of experience, education, and/or training that would likely produce the knowledge and abilities required to perform the work. A desirable combination of qualifications is described as follows:
EDUCATION:
A bachelor’s degree in business administration, planning, public administration, economics, finance, urban planning or studies, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in real estate development, economic development, community development and planning, and/or housing development or program related activities.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATE, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California Class C driver’s license. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
– frequent standing or sitting for extended periods; frequent walking; occasional driving may be required depending upon assignment; occasional pushing/pulling; occasional bending, kneeling, squatting and crawling. – occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. – constant use of good overall vision for reading/close work; frequent use of color perception and eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision. – frequent repetitive motion from writing and using a computer keyboard; frequent grasping, holding and reaching. - frequent hearing/talking to others on the telephone and in person; occasional hearing of faint sounds. – frequent decision making and concentration; occasional public contact; occasional working alone.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment but occasionally requires travel to other locations within the city or other geographical areas as necessary. May experience frequent and extensive contact with the public. Extension of the normal workday hours may be required during the evening hours or weekends.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This position is an at-will, management level position responsible for the management and administration of all City housing activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Duties may include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Performs housing program technical support duties including, but not limited to, rent collection, maintenance and repair assessment and residential property management tasks
- Prepares and manages BCHA Funds and other Housing related funds
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The Housing Manager must effectively:
- Apply professional principles of Economic Development and Housing related issues, be able to track revenue and determine appropriate rental fee structure, facilitate and manage corrective actions in order to get units up to standard with city codes
- Analyze data and utilize problem solving skills
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
A bachelor’s degree in business administration, planning, public administration, economics, finance, urban studies, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in real estate development, economic development, community development and planning, and/or housing development or program related activities and understanding of property management requirements/regulations/laws
Knowledge of:
- Operations, services and activities of municipal government.
- Operations, services and activities of department to which the position is assigned.
- Codes, policies, regulations and procedures related to department operations.
- Methods and techniques of conducting research and statistical analysis.
- Principles and practices of report development.
- Computer applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City, including making effective public presentations and dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
- Business correspondence development.
- Principles and practices of budget development and monitoring.
- Methods and techniques of providing quality customer service to City staff and members of the public.
- Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations related to assigned area of responsibility.
- Knowledge and experience in the preparation of Disposition and Development Agreement
- Knowledge and experience in the preparation of Owner’s Participation Agreement
- Real Estate Development Principles
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of property management and administration
- Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations related to housing and economic development
- Knowledge and Administration of Federal and State Grant regulations, policies and procedures
- Knowledge and understanding of Surplus Land Act and Development Impact fees application and Quimby act
Ability to:
- Apply professional principles of community development, economic development and housing development
- Use current computer programs, software and equipment
- Analyze data and utilize problem solving skills
- Prepare and clearly present technical written and oral reports
- Work in group settings
- Work with complex issues in fast changing and fast-moving business, organization, and political environments
- Prepare complex narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, policies and procedures and other written materials.
- Interpret and apply theories, principles, rules and practices in the area of assignment.
- Prepare complex administrative and technical reports.
- Coordinate activities with other City departments and divisions, and external agencies.
- Organize own work, coordinate projects, set priorities, meet critical time deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Make presentations to community groups, external organizations, other government agencies, City Council and represent the city at various events.
- Prepare and clearly present technical written reports and make oral presentations
- Work with complex issues in fast changing and fast-moving business, organization, and political environments
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of property management and administration
- Use computer programs to create marketing and public relations materials
- Understanding of Landlord and Tenant issues and matters
- Develop, interpret, apply, and explain a wide variety of technical policies and procedures, and communicate difficult procedures and regulations related to housing and economic development programs
- Research, and prepare technical reports
- Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems
- Organize own work, coordinate projects, set priorities, meet critical time deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with a minimum of direction
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Use sound, independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines
Pay: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
