Economic Development Assistant DirectorCity of Fort Worth
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. There are six values that guide our employees as they go about this work. They are:
Our Vision Fort Worth will be the most livable and best-managed city in the country Our Mission Working together to build a strong community. The City of Fort Worth’s mission focuses on our core values and provides a roadmap for how we work together to support the City’s vision 
Jay Chapa- City Manager
THE OPPORTUNITYFort 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
THE POSITION — WHAT YOU WILL DO As the Assistant Director over Business Recruitment & Retention, 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. SIGNATURE PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities
Pipeline & Recruitment
The Ideal CandidateFort 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 determine whether a deal is truly beneficial to 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:
The Ideal CandidateRequirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public/Business Admin, Economics, or related field Preferred: Master’s degree (MPA, MBA, JD, or MS Econ) Experience: 6 years in economic development, with 3 years at a supervisory or administrative level Preferred: 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 Preferred: Bond financing, Opportunity Zones, and innovation district governance Leadership Style: Collaborative, data‑driven, comfortable behind the scenes, shares credit Preferred: Experience co‑branding with external EDOs and chamber alliances Licenses Valid Texas driver’s license Preferred: CEcD, CCIM, or AICP certification COMPENSATION - $122,805-$172,000, commensurate with experience Fort Worth is an Equal Opportunity Employer |
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Mackenzie Eason & Associates is a performance driven retained executive search firm, focused on delivering measurable results. We are boutique by design – allowing us to eliminate the conflict issues of larger firms and engage in a more collaborative search process. Our partners enter into engagements selectively, limiting the number of searches at any given time in order to maintain the highest level of accountability to each client. We employ a unique methodology, utilizing a highly customized and targeted approach to each search, and a follow through process that further ensures client satisfaction and increased placement success. We also know the importance of diversity to creating long-term strength for an organization, and at MEA, we are committed to delivering a more diverse range of candidates to reflect today’s increasingly inclusive workforce.
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