VP of Economic Development & Strategic Partnerships - 375

Description: The Vice President of Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships provides executive leadership for VIA's transit-oriented development, community value, economic impact, and strategic partnership initiatives. This position serves as VIA's lead executive responsible for maximizing the long-term economic, mobility, housing, and community development benefits generated through VIA's transit investments, mobility infrastructure, and strategic capital initiatives. This role acts as a regional strategist, coalition builder, and economic ambassador for VIA, advancing partnerships among local governments, developers, business leaders, housing organizations, educational institutions, civil organizations, and regional stakeholders to strengthen economic opportunity, sustainable growth, and transit-supportive development throughout the region. Responsible for positioning VIA as a catalyst for regional growth and community value by integrating mobility investment with economic development strategy, land use coordination, downtown mobility initiatives, and public-private partnerships. This position will collaborate across departments and engage with community stakeholders to align strategic priorities, identify development opportunities, support major corridor initiatives, and advance projects that improve access to opportunity and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the San Antonio region. Essential functions include leading VIA's enterprise strategy related to economic development, transit-oriented development (TOD), community value creation, and strategic partnerships; developing and implementing a long-term framework for leveraging VIA investments to support sustainable regional economic growth and access to opportunity; advancing transit and mobility investments as drivers of economic competitiveness, downtown vitality, workforce access, housing opportunity, and regional connectivity; leading VIA's TOD vision, strategy, and partnership initiatives associated with major transit investments, including VIA Rapid corridors, mobility hubs, Park-and-Ride facilities, downtown initiatives, and future high-capacity transit investments; coordinating with Strategic Planning, Special Projects, Capital Programs, and Real Estate to align corridor planning, infrastructure investment, land-use strategy, and economic development opportunities; identifying and prioritizing strategic development opportunities adjacent to transit investments and key mobility corridors; developing frameworks to transform transit corridors and capital programs into regional economic drivers, stimulating sustainable public and private investment throughout the service area; serving as VIA's primary executive liaison to the development community, business organizations, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, housing organizations, economic development corporations, civic leadership groups, and regional stakeholders; building and maintaining strategic partnerships that advance VIA's long-term mobility and economic development goals; representing VIA in regional economic development initiatives, downtown planning efforts, corridor development discussions, and intergovernmental coordination activities; collaborating with elected officials, municipalities, regional agencies, and community organizations to align transit investments with broader community and economic priorities; serving as VIA's strategic point-of-contact for the development community, communicating VIA's vision and attracting private investment to transit-adjacent projects; leading initiatives focused on quantifying, communicating, and maximizing the economic and community benefits associated with VIA investments; developing frameworks and performance measures related to economic activity, development impact, business growth, workforce access, housing connectivity, and community value generated through transit investment; supporting executive leadership and the Board of Trustees in articulating VIA's regional economic impact and strategic value proposition; defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to regional job creation, business growth, housing connectivity, and economic activity stimulated by VIA's transit network; identifying opportunities for innovative partnerships, joint development initiatives, value capture mechanisms, and public-private partnerships (P3s) that support transit investment and community development goals; collaborating with Real Estate, Legal Services, Fiscal Management, and external partners on strategic agreements, development negotiations, and partnership structures; supporting development of funding strategies, grant opportunities, and financing approaches associated with economic development and transit-supportive initiatives; negotiating partnership agreements, development agreements, leases, and contracts in partnership with Real Estate and Legal Services; leading cross-functional initiatives across VIA departments to ensure alignment among economic development efforts, operational priorities, capital investments, customer strategy, and organizational goals; advising executive leadership on emerging development trends, strategic growth opportunities, market conditions, and regional economic issues impacting VIA; monitoring best practices and emerging trends nationwide related to TOD, mobility-led economic development, downtown revitalization, and strategic infrastructure investment; developing policies, guidelines, procedures, and controls to support efficient and effective implementation of economic development initiatives and strategic partnerships; supporting VIA Executive Leadership in furthering VIA's goals, missions, strategic priorities, and organizational objectives. This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist. Required education and experience include a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Real Estate Development, Transportation Planning, or a related field and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, transit-oriented development, infrastructure development, strategic or public-private partnerships, or a related field, including at least six (6) years in a leadership or management role. Demonstrated experience working with executive leadership, elected officials, developers, regional stakeholders, and complex multi-agency initiatives is required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be acceptable. Preferred qualifications include a Master's Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economic Development, or related field. Experience operating at the intersection of public sector leadership, economic development, community investment, and private sector collaboration is strongly preferred. Existing relationships within the San Antonio regional business, development, governmental, and civic community. Experience in transportation, mobility infrastructure, transit-oriented development (TOD), or regional planning initiatives. Experience with public-private partnerships, development negotiations, and strategic investment initiatives. Additional requirements include strong knowledge of urban development trends, land-use policy, public financing tools, and economic development practices. Knowledge of economic development principles, transit-oriented development strategies, urban planning, land-use coordination, and regional growth dynamics. Knowledge of public-sector planning processes, transportation systems, infrastructure investment strategies, and economic development financing mechanisms. Knowledge of grant funding processes, public financing tools, and value capture mechanisms. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Strong strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. Strong verbal, written, presentation, and public speaking skills. Ability to translate complex transit and infrastructure goals into compelling opportunities for community and private-sector partners. Ability to negotiate complex agreements and manage high-level stakeholder relationships. Ability to lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and influence cross-functional teams. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, developers, public agencies, business leaders, civic organizations, and internal stakeholders. Ability to communicate complex mobility, infrastructure, and economic development concepts to diverse audiences. Ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Must be able to maintain good work attendance. Safety Accountability Statement: Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers. Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security. Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department. Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the opportunity for better judgment to be used. Must comply with and support all applicable VIA EEO Policies and Procedures. Physical requirements include the physical ability to be mobile, bend, stoop, stand, reach, and occasionally lift 5-25 pounds of objects, such as files, equipment and supplies, and books. Work environments include work primarily performed in a professional office environment with occasional travel to meetings, project sites, and community events. May require attendance at evening or weekend meetings and public engagement activities as needed. VIA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal opportunity to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.